Media and News

Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand (Medical Deans) has welcomed the Opposition’s commitment to fund 200 additional medical school places to strengthen the medical workforce in rural, regional, and remote Australia.

Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand (Medical Deans) has welcomed the Government’s
announcement of a $48.8 million investment in additional medical school places, as part of a $617
million package to grow the primary care workforce.

After an extensive recruitment process, I am delighted to announce the appointment
of Ms Kate Lynch to the position of Medical Deans CEO.

Thousands of health professional students have had their mental health boosted after accessing a new Australian Government funded Mental Health First Aid training initiative, under a program led by the 3 Councils of Deans: MDANZ, CDNM, and ACDHS.

Representatives from Federal and State Governments, Colleges, postgraduate councils, medical schools and others met recently to discuss medical workforce data – what is collected, its value to better workforce planning, and how we might work together to fill the gaps.

Medical Deans’ vision for place-based solutions to medical workforce challenges in remote, rural and regional communities

Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand (Medical Deans) welcomes the recognition of the financial impact that clinical placements have on students, especially in the midst of cost-of-living and accommodation cost rises.

Medical Deans’ welcomes the investment in more medical school places to be based in the Northern Territory. Enabling universities to deliver medical programs in rural and regional areas is vital so students can study and learn in the regions where we need them and where they want to be.

The increase in medical school places recommended in the landmark Australian Universities Accord is a critical investment that will help address regional workforce shortages and improve access to primary care.

Solving Australia’s GP crisis and rural doctor crisis will depend on attracting more medical students and junior doctors to a career in general practice or rural generalism. An innovative training model in rural NSW is doing just that.

The teaching and training of our future doctors in primary care was the missing piece of this year’s Budget. This is essential to strengthening Medicare

The internationally recognised training developed by Mental Health First Aid Australia has been adapted specifically for medical students and is consistently highly rated. This funding support its provision until 2026.