THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health
and Regional Services Delivery
24 July 2009
ENCOURAGING HEALTH STUDENTS TO THINK RURAL
Cairns doctors will be able to access retention payments and relocation grants for the first
time next year following changes to the way the Federal Government will target its rural
workforce programs, the Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and
Regional Services Delivery, Warren Snowdon announced today.
Speaking to over 300 medical, nursing and allied health students at the 11th National
University Rural Health Conference in Cairns, Mr Snowdon said the theme of Rural Health:
Diverse Landscapes, Endless Opportunities has never been as accurate as it is right now due
to the Rudd Government’s initiatives.
“From education through to ongoing support for doctors out bush, this Government is
committed to developing effective workforce incentives and initiatives to improve access to
primary health care for rural and remote Australians,” Mr Snowdon said.
“The Federal Budget is delivering more than $200 million in help to tackle the shortage of
doctors and health workers, and will boost the total number of GP training places to more
than 800 from 2011 onwards. We are also providing $28 million to help train around 18,000
nurse supervisors, 5,000 allied health and VET supervisors, and 7,000 medical supervisors.
“Rural GP Retention payments will also be increased and geared to the level of remoteness,
and more than 2,400 rural doctors will become eligible for grant payments to remain in rural
and remote areas, including 158 in the Cairns region.
“Overall, the investment in workforce programs in 2009-10 is more than $800 million across
the portfolio. This is over a 100% increase in funding for health workforce programs
compared with the $390 million of the previous Government in 2006-07,” he said.
The workforce training investment is complemented by a range of targeted workforce
initiatives in the COAG $1.6 billion Indigenous Health National Partnership Agreement.
Mr Snowdon said the measures add up to significant reforms which will be further enhanced
by the final report of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission, the
Preventative Health Care Taskforce report, and the Primary Health Care Strategy.
“Taken together, there’s never been a better time to join the rural health workforce,” he said.
Media contact: Kate Sieper 0488 484 689.
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