The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has urged all Australian Governments, State and Federal, to work cooperatively to ensure that all locally trained doctors have ready access to internships and the opportunity to graduate and practice their skills.

 

The AMA Council of Doctors In Training (AMACDT) met in Canberra over the weekend and passed the following resolution:

 

That the AMA Council of Doctors in Training notes the ongoing failure of Federal and State/Territory governments to address the projected shortfall of 180 intern positions for 2013 and calls on health ministers to work together in a spirit of compromise to finalise a robust solution as a matter of the utmost urgency and, moving forward, agree on a cooperative strategy that will deliver sufficient accredited prevocational and vocational training places for all future graduates of Australian medical schools.

 

AMACDT Chair, Dr Will Milford, said that the AMACDT notes and supports the Commonwealth Government’s offer to fund, on a one-off basis for 2013, 100 of the forecast 180 intern places needed next year for graduates of Australian medical schools, provided the States and Territories fund the remaining 80 places.

 

“It is frustrating and disappointing that this offer remains unresolved,” Dr Milford said.

 

“All governments should immediately make the health needs of the community a priority and resolve this stalemate before moving on to long-term solutions for future medical graduates.