AMA (NSW) welcomes Coalition pledge on foetal alcohol spectrum disorder clinic
March 16, 2015AMA (NSW): More rural-based medical trainees good for rural and regional communities
March 17, 2015AMA (NSW) President, Dr Saxon Smith, and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners NSW and ACT Faculty Chair, Dr Guan Yeo, have welcomed the Coalition’s boost to the rural generalist training program.
“GPs working outside of major cities have a history of multi-skilling and the rural generalist training program is a formalisation of that process.
“For example, they’re often called upon to deliver babies, anaesthetise patients and do other procedural work in country hospitals.
“Without them, rural and regional centres would lose access to a lot of health services,” Dr Yeo said.
“The rural generalist training program is an initiative of this Government and I am very pleased to see the Coalition continuing to expand this valuable service.
“It’s good to see that the Coalition’s health announcement today has a strong focus on boosting the rural and regional medical workforce in NSW.
“You don’t need me to tell you that areas outside of major cities have been experiencing a doctor shortage.
“Even when they can see a doctor, it’s harder for rural and regional patients to get to the doctor and often more expensive for them to do so.
“By providing more doctors outside of Sydney and providing them with good training programs, it well help solve this problem,” Dr Smith said.
“The rural generalist training program is also recognition of the value of a good country general practitioner.
“Even more than in cities, in rural and regional areas, well-trained GPs are the key to high quality, cost-effective healthcare in NSW,” Dr Yeo said.
Media contact: Lachlan Jones (02) 9902 8113 / 0419 402 955