A new intake of GP registrars have commenced in rural and regional communities, boosting the primary care workforce across the State.
Four new GP registrars – qualified doctors training to become GPs – have begun placements through Tasmania's innovative and nation-leading GP training pilot program called the Single Employer Model (SEM).
The new GP registrars have started at practices in George Town, Deloraine and Howrah, with the fourth working in Aboriginal health in Hobart.
With the commencement of this new cohort, there are now 20 GP registrars working in primary care across Tasmania through the SEM, with six GPs already graduated from the program.
Importantly, the GP registrars employed through the program provide approximately 5,000 episodes of care per month to Tasmanians, helping people in rural and regional communities to access health services locally.
The SEM is a partnership between the Tasmanian and Australian Governments, funded through a $12.97 million co-investment designed to reduce key barriers to attract, recruit and retain doctors to a career in rural general practice.
It provides registrars with a single contract and employer – the Department of Health - throughout their training, with access to the same salary and leave entitlements as their peers working in hospitals, including annual leave, parental leave and sick leave.
Minister for Health, Jacquie Petrusma, welcomed the new GP registrars and said the SEM was helping to attract more doctors to rural and regional areas.
"On behalf of the Tasmanian Liberal Government, I warmly welcome the four new GP registrars who have recently started placements and are set to make a significant contribution to the local communities in which they work," Minister Petrusma said.
"With 20 GP registrars currently employed under the SEM providing approximately 5,000 episodes of care per month, our nation-leading pilot is helping to boost the rural medical workforce and supporting people to access the care they need, where they need it.
"We will continue to work with the Australian Government to maximise this pilot program and help make a career in rural practice more attractive for doctors.
"The Tasmanian Government is growing our rural primary care workforce, and we have made a range of other investments to support GPs, including launching the GP NOW Rapid Response Team and a rural settlement incentive package through our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future."
Quotes from Australian Government Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler:
"The Single Employer Model is proving to be a successful way to boost the number of GPs available for people in rural Tasmania.
"The young medical graduates training and working in rural areas are making it easier for people to see a doctor now, while also laying foundations for future careers in rural practice.
"Growing and improving the rural primary care workforce in Tasmania and across the nation is a key part of our government's commitment to Strengthen Medicare."
