James Cook University closes doors to GP trainees

The last RTO standing has officially handed the GP-training baton to ACRRM.

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The nation’s first rural medical school, James Cook University, officially ended its hugely successful generalist training program today, with the colleges taking the reins going forth.

Over the years, JCU has set itself apart from other medical training institutions by offering “end-to-end” regional training pathways for GPs.

Since its creation in 2016, the school has funnelled around a third of its students into GP positions, with 11% working as rural generalists and 10% generalist specialists of some description.

Following the return of GP training to the colleges, the JCU signed a collaborative partnership with ACRRM and the RACGP to continue to deliver its general practice training.

“We bring our in-depth clinical and community knowledge and strong relationships with training posts across Queensland to the excellent training programs offered by the RACGP and ACRRM,” its website reads.

“Together, we are providing rewarding training and career opportunities that offer adventure, skills and impact.”

But in February this year, the university announced that it would be ending its involvement in the training program, citing funding concerns.

At the time, the timeline of the transition was not confirmed.

Today, ACRRM announced that all its registrars on the Australian General Practice Training program would be trained by the college going forward.

According to ACRRM president Dr Dan Halliday, the shift was unexpected so soon in the partnership, but the college is ready to take on the additional training.

“ACRRM is experienced in directly delivering a high-quality Fellowship program which focuses on the needs of rural generalist registrars, supervisors and training posts,” he said.

“We have been doing it through our Independent Pathway for 23 years, and for registrars on the Australian General Practice Training Program for the past 12 months, and Rural Generalist Training Scheme since its inception in 2022.

“We have the people, the systems and the processes to deliver high-quality training, which is built on our ACRRM rural generalist curriculum and puts more doctors with the right skills in the communities where they are most needed.”

According to Dr Halliday, the shift will not affect anyone in Queensland involved in the training.

“It will be operations as normal, with greater opportunities to work directly with the college.

“I thank JCU for continuing their close relationship with ACRRM to ensure a well-organised handover with no disruption to registrars, supervisors and training posts participating in our rural and remote focused fellowship program.”