Young medical professionals are being enticed to come live and work in our region.
The national John Flynn Prevocational Doctor Program has supplied $17 million to Queensland Health to train almost 340 junior doctors in regional and rural areas.
The funding will allow junior doctors employed by Queensland Hospital and Health Services (HHS) to undertake a rotation at a rural private General Practice or approved primary care facility over the next two years.
Ashfield Country Practice and Grace Family Practice and Skin Care are taking part.
Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler says people who train in regional areas are more likely to stay in the community.
“Our John Flynn Prevocational Doctor Program provides a unique opportunity for doctors to live and work in rural and remote communities, build relationships with patients, and increase their skillset,” he says.
“And it provides patients in these areas with a more stable, locally-trained workforce they can count on.”
State Minister for Health Shannon Fentiman says they want to make it more appealing for GPs to move away from the cities.
“Our hope is they will see how wonderful and fulfilling it is to live and work in regional and rural communities and choose to stay,” she says.
“If these junior doctors take up careers in rural medicine, the communities will benefit from an increased level of health service and a more stable, locally-trained workforce.”
