Tasmanian Labor welcomes the proposal by General Practice Training Tasmania for the state government to pay the HECS-HELP debt of 40 graduating doctors to overcome the challenges around GP workforce attraction and retention.
Already, Labor has announced a $98.9 million regional health package that will begin to ease the pressure on our emergency departments around the state, reduce bed block and ambulance ramping.
That package includes a $3 million fund to pay the HECS-HELP debt of 150 healthcare workers who commit to working in regional and rural Tasmania for three years.
We understand the importance of having access to healthcare close to home, especially for those living in rural and regional parts of the state.
In addition, our Regional Health package includes:
- $60 million statewide local hospital infrastructure fund
- Employ an additional 215 workers under a $28.4 million statewide workforce plan
- $6.5 million to six rural and regional ambulance stations, including an additional 21 paramedic positions statewide
- $1 million to expand the Rural Medical Workforce Centre at the Mersey Community Hospital.
Labor will consider General Practice Training Tasmania’s initiative as part of its election policy development for the next election.
Labor’s Right Priorities Plan is available here.
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Minister for Health, Mental Health, and Wellbeing
