Coalition Regional Health Policy Falls Short
2 August 2010
The Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) says that the Coalition policy announcement to double the number of Medical Rural Bonded Scholarships (MRBS) for medical students is welcome, however the policy falls well short of significant change and will do little to increase the number of doctors working in rural and regional Australia.
AMSA spokesperson Sam Kirchner said that the MRBS is a good scheme, which provides incentives for students to practice medicine in a rural setting after specialisation.
"However, increasing MRBS places can form only one part of a holistic plan to boost the number of medical practitioners in rural Australia. For example, there is no mention in the Coalition policy of addressing the issue of retaining doctors in rural and remote areas once they have completed their return of service, or plans to attract doctors outside of the MRBS program.
"With the MRBS increase the only suggested measure to address the rural medical workforce crisis, I can safely say that this Coalition policy is woefully inadequate," he said.
The Coalition has proposed to double the number of Medical Rural Bonded Scholarships (MRBS) from 100 to 200 students whilst at the same time proposing to halve the length of return of service from six years to three. MRBS offers urban and rural medical students $24 207 per annum in return for practicing in a rural or remote area for a defined period of time upon completion of internship.
"In principle, carrots are better than sticks when it comes to alleviating the rural medical workforce shortage and improving working conditions. Appropriately supporting and remunerating rural doctors will go a long way towards ensuring doctors stay in rural areas. AMSA supports the AMA-RDAA 'Rural Rescue Package', and calls on both major parties to implement the recommendations in that report.
AMSA is calling on both parties to make the MRBS accessible for all medical students (not just those in first year), provide greater opportunities for rural practice throughout the medical degree and increase the incentives and supports for rural students to enter medical school.
Find out more about the Coalition policy here.
