The Medical Benevolent Association of NSW-ACT (MBA NSW-ACT), a charity that has supported doctors and their families since 1896, has publicly backed the 2024-2025 Federal Budget submission presented by General Practice Registrars Australia (GPRA) aimed at enhancing accessibility to general practitioners (GPs) across the nation.

In a letter addressed to Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler, MBA NSW-ACT reiterated its support for GPRA’s Federal Budget submission and urged the Federal Government to prioritise GPRA’s initiatives for the betterment of Australia’s healthcare landscape.

GPRA’s submission outlines critical measures to alleviate challenges encountered by future GPs in accessing training and support, along with addressing the growing scarcity of GPs, particularly in regional areas.

“Given our commitment to supporting medical professionals and their well-being, MBA NSW-ACT acknowledges the urgent need to tackle the obstacles hindering the next generation of GPs,” said their President, Dr Andrew Wines.

“We have observed a concerning rise in doctors seeking our support and requiring financial assistance due to the complexities of balancing contract work with obligations such as mortgages, family commitments, and the escalating costs of training.

“GPRA’s proposal to establish an independent national GP Training Leave Support Fund is a commendable initiative aimed at addressing significant barriers to doctors pursuing GP training.

“Limited or no access to parental, study, or exam leave has been identified as a deterrent for doctors considering general practice as a specialty, as well as a significant stressor impacting both their wellbeing and professional development.

“By providing financial support, we believe that more doctors will be attracted to and retained within GP training.

MBA NSW-ACT also endorses GPRA’s call for increased investment in peer-to-peer initiatives fostering early engagement of medical students with the GP profession.

“Any investment which seeks to attract, support, and retain quality GPs ultimately benefits all communities across Australia”

GPRA’s solution for its 20,000 members, is to establish an independent national GP Training Leave Support Fund.

The fund forms the major part of GPRA’s submission ahead of the 2024-2025 Federal Budget, which will be handed down in May.

The proposed Fund would operate similarly to other industry endowment type self-sustaining funds administered and regulated by bodies such as the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) – for example Police Legacy Funds – where donors contribute to a pool for eligible members to apply for and access.

The Fund would see GP registrars apply for paid parental leave and study and exam leave payments, with independent fund administrators managing the application process and decision-making.

“Seeing the establishment of such a Fund would be our legacy to our members for the benefit of all communities,” said GPRA President Dr Karyn Matterson.

“Hospital-based doctors see that general practice speciality training is undervalued and underfunded so, increasingly, they are choosing to work in other specialties,” said GPRA President Dr Karyn Matterson.

“A profession which recognises work-family balance and remunerates their trainees appropriately to study will attract more doctors.

“General practice is at a crossroad. There has never been a more critical time for the Federal Government to step forward and directly help address a major system barrier for GP training.

“We thank MBA NSW-ACT for their support for our Submission as also for the supportive counselling, case management and referral work they do every day to ensure any doctor experiencing hardship or adversity, has a safe place to receive specialised support”

A copy of GPRA’s 2024-2025 Federal Budget Submission is available on the GPRA website.

ENDS