Urgent plea to alleviate Australia’s GP shortage as demand grows

Doctors Warn of Growing GP Shortage in Australia

With the demand for healthcare services on the rise, doctors are sounding the alarm on the shortage of General Practitioners (GPs) in Australia. The Department of Health and Aged Care’s workforce report highlighted a current deficit of 2460 full-time GPs, a number predicted to double by 2033 to 5560.

The Australian Medical Association has called for immediate government intervention to address this critical issue. AMA President Steven Robson emphasized the importance of training more GPs and providing support for them to work in underserved areas.

Robson stressed the need for policies that focus on enhancing GP training opportunities, adjusting pay scales, and prioritizing community needs in allocating GP training places. He emphasized the essential role of GPs in the healthcare system and urged for bold measures to bolster the GP workforce.