The program has been promised an extra $1.7 million to bolster its capital infrastructure to, hopefully, increase the numbers of rural doctors in the state.
An additional $1.7 million has been promised to Tasmanian general practices through the Single Employer Model program pilot.
The Tasmanian and federal government collaboration replicates the successful Murrumbidgee single-employer model program, which began as a four-year pilot in 2021.
It gives registrars training to specialise in rural medicine the option to be an employee of the Tasmanian health system throughout their training.
Maintaining a single employer allows registrars to accrue leave and other employee benefits even as they move between the hospital and community-based GP training placements.
The pilot began in July 2023, with an $8 million investment to be spread across up to 20 practices.
So far 22 GP registrars have been employed through the single employer model program.
The Tasmanian government has announced an additional $1.7 million injection of funding to help upgrade capital infrastructure to facilitate improved training capacity.
The grants may cover expansion of consultation spaces, accommodation, IT infrastructure or training equipment.
Tasmania’s minister for health Jacquie Petrusma said most funding for the program had been allotted to rural and regional practices, including Cydnet, Scottsdale, Bicheno and Geoge Town.
“It’s important that Tasmanians can access the healthcare they need in the right place, at the right time, no matter where they live,” Ms Petrusma said.
“Our single employer model program is leading the way in attracting a clinical workforce to rural areas – and this funding will support more practices to take on GP trainees.
“Through our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we’re growing Tasmania’s rural primary care workforce, and have made a range of other investments to support GPs, including launching the GP NOW Rapid Response Team and a rural settlement incentive package.”
Both Queensland and Victoria are now trialing similar single employer model programs for registrars.
The 18 GP clinics which will receive a portion of the grant are:
- The Lindisfarne Clinic
- Newstead Medical Group
- Sorell Family Practice
- Deloraine Medical Centre
- Prospect Medical Complex
- Ochre Medical Centre Cygnet
- Ochre Medical Centre John Street
- Summerdale Medical
- IPN Burnie General Practice
- Glebe Hill Family Practice
- George Town Medical Centre
- Bellerive Doctors
- Launceston Health Hub
- Patrick Street Clinic (Ulverstone)
- Ochre Medical Centre Bridport
- Port Sorell Medical Centre
- Cohealth (Bicheno)
