The South Australian government has introduced a program that will enable trainee rural general practitioners to work in regional communities for five years as they pursue their qualifications. The initiative aims to quadruple the number of GPs in the state's rural areas, with Premier Peter Malinauskas highlighting the potential for these doctors to continue serving these towns post-training. By providing the opportunity for trainee doctors to establish ties in rural regions, the program seeks to address the critical shortage of medical professionals in small towns like Eyre Peninsula.
Under the reformed single-employer model program, trainee doctors will work as salaried employees for SA Health throughout their training, receiving benefits like leave and remuneration. Health Minister Chris Picton emphasized the attractiveness of the program for junior doctors, removing previous barriers and allowing them to work across hospitals and general practice. This shift in the healthcare system aims to entice more doctors to rural regions by providing stability, benefits, and career progression opportunities within the state.
The government's partnership with the federal government will consolidate funding, enabling direct employment of doctors by the state. The program, which has been successfully trialed in other parts of Australia, is set to commence in January and will support an additional 60 trainee GPs in South Australia. In areas like Barossa Hills, Eyre and Far North, and Limestone Coast, the program hopes to encourage doctors to choose rural practice by offering a more supportive and fulfilling work environment. Through this initiative, the government seeks to address not only the shortage of medical professionals in regional areas but also to provide better healthcare access and services for these communities.