Local doctors have today thrown their support behind the Rudd Government’s plan to double the number of GP training places.
Federal Member for Blaxland Jason Clare MP said the doubling of GP training places from 600 to 1200 will help make it easier for residents to see their local doctor.
“These new training places will mean there are more GPs in our local area. It will help to take the pressure off our hospital system,” Mr Clare said
“Around 18% of Bankstown residents are over 60 years old. We need to make sure there are enough local GPs to help look after our ageing population.”
Dr. Sue Harnett, Chairperson of the Bankstown GP Division says that the GP Division fully supports the Rudd Government’s announcement that it will increase doctor training places.
“The Bankstown area has an ageing GP population, by doubling the number of training places for doctors we are certain that new GPs will be able to come to Bankstown and help deliver better primary care services to our local community,” Dr Harnett said.
Dr Mythili Sellathurai, a GP in Bass Hill believes the increase in training places will benefit local residents.
“More doctor training places will mean more local doctors for the residents of Bankstown, I am in full support of the Government’s health reform,” Dr Sellathurai said.
Mr Clare said the Rudd Government would boost the number of GPs practising or training by an extra 5,500 by 2020.
The Rudd Government has committed to delivering better health services and better hospitals by establishing a National Health and Hospitals Network.
Under the proposed changes:
• The Australian Government will take on the dominant funding responsibility for the hospital system to eliminate waste and meet rapidly rising health costs.
• All eight State run hospital systems will operate under one set of tough national standards.
• Hospitals will be run locally through Local Hospital Networks which will bring together small groups of hospitals, where local professionals with local knowledge are given the necessary powers to deliver hospital services to our community.
Mr Clare will be hosting his second health round table at Bankstown Hospital early next month.
Media contact: Chris Zogopoulos T: 9790 2466
