Junior docs promised $40k to take GP pathway
As Queensland’s regions suffer from a shortage of GPs, a handy little bonus payment is trying to draw trainees away from other specialities and into crucial general practice roles.
Mackay
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Tens of thousands of dollars are being promised to junior doctors as part of the latest push to bring more GPs into the healthcare workforce.
As part of the Queensland Labor government’s $1.7bn healthcare commitment, they are allocating $40,000 paid over three years to any junior doctor who chooses general practitioner as their specialty.
Dr Sarah Zatta of Andergrove’s Health on Central has been working at the clinic and is soon to complete her final certification.
“General practice is a really beautiful profession,” Dr Zatta said.
“You can go from caring for a child to a grandparent.”
Born and raised in Ingham, Dr Zatta moved to Mackay following her graduation from James Cook University’s medical program to train under the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ President Dr Nicole Higgins.
Dr Higgins, herself a Mackay GP, indicated that the greatest barrier for junior doctors entering the speciality was pay, as hospital doctors generally receive better wages and entitlements.
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said that the commitment was intended to level the playing field so that more junior doctors might pick the community oriented GP speciality, rather than higher-paying alternatives.
The $40,000 incentive will be paid over the course of three years once a junior doctor declares it as their speciality.
In the first year they will receive $10,000, the second $20,000 and the third another $10,000.
“There is a real financial disincentive,” Mrs Fentiman said, noting the pay scales of GPs compared to other incentives.
“We’re really hoping we build the pool of GPs, particularly in regional Queensland.”
Premier Steven Miles referred to the incentives as a centrepiece to his new workforce strategy.
“We know that so many problems in the health system can be traced back to the lack of GPs and access to private healthcare,” Mr Miles said.
“We want to see more GP’s, more GP’s in training, more GP’s in regional areas because that is what will help to keep Queenslanders healthy.”
“These grants will be beneficial to supporting people,” Dr Zatta said.
“Not just to throw money out, but actually help them move forward in their career.
“I’m really grateful that the premier and health minister are backing this.”
Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert said as a local she knows how difficult it is to get a GP.
“It does take a couple of weeks, so as somebody who’s been carrying around a cough with them, like me for the last couple of weeks, you know, my appointments on the 1st of July.”
The Miles government has allocated $20m to the incentive scheme.
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