The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) welcomes the commencement of end-to-end medical training in Launceston, saying it is a significant boost for the future Rural Generalist workforce in Tasmania.
Twenty new medical students will begin their entire medical degree at the University of Tasmania’s Launceston campus this month — the first time full medical training has been delivered from start to finish in northern Tasmania. It brings the total number of medical students training in Launceston to 100.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says expanding medical education in regional centres is one of the most effective ways to address rural and remote workforce shortages.
“We know doctors are far more likely to stay and practise rurally when they train in rural communities,” Dr Martin says.
“More medical students in places like Launceston means more future Rural Generalists providing care where they are most needed — in regional, rural and remote Australia.”
The program will include clinical placements in general practice, primary care and community settings, helping graduates build the skills and connections needed for Rural Generalist careers.
Dr Martin says the Tasmanian expansion follows important progress on establishing a new medical school in the Northern Territory and comes as a proposed rural medical school in South Australia remains an election commitment.
“A strong rural training pipeline across Tasmania, the Northern Territory and potentially rural South Australia is exactly what Australia needs,” he says.
“This is how we grow the Rural Generalist workforce and improve access to healthcare for rural communities over the long term.”
Twenty new medical students will begin their entire medical degree at the University of Tasmania’s Launceston campus this month — the first time full medical training has been delivered from start to finish in northern Tasmania. It brings the total number of medical students training in Launceston to 100.
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says expanding medical education in regional centres is one of the most effective ways to address rural and remote workforce shortages.
“We know doctors are far more likely to stay and practise rurally when they train in rural communities,” Dr Martin says.
“More medical students in places like Launceston means more future Rural Generalists providing care where they are most needed — in regional, rural and remote Australia.”
The program will include clinical placements in general practice, primary care and community settings, helping graduates build the skills and connections needed for Rural Generalist careers.
Dr Martin says the Tasmanian expansion follows important progress on establishing a new medical school in the Northern Territory and comes as a proposed rural medical school in South Australia remains an election commitment.
“A strong rural training pipeline across Tasmania, the Northern Territory and potentially rural South Australia is exactly what Australia needs,” he says.
“This is how we grow the Rural Generalist workforce and improve access to healthcare for rural communities over the long term.”