The ACT Government has announced funding for research to map the territory’s general practitioner workforce.

 

The new ACT GP Workforce Working Group will coordinate the new GP Workforce Scoping Study, which will examine the current and immediate past general practice workforce in the ACT and the accessibility of GP services in the territory.

 

This information will assist workforce forecasting and forward planning to meet the growing healthcare needs of our residents and city," Chief Minister and Acting Health Minister Katy Gallagher said.

 

The study will include a snapshot of the current GP workforce including hours of work, basic demographics, a survey of current GPs including trainee GP's to assess their future career intentions, and a full assessment and review of the current workforce including an assessment of new students coming through the ANU and how many remain in Canberra.

 

ACT Medicare Local Chair Dr Rashmi Sharma said the information gained from the scoping study will assist in determining future workforce needs.

 

"The study will provide us with the evidence required to accurately predict future general practice workforce needs in the ACT and will also allow the ACT Government and ACT Medicare Local to respond appropriately," Dr Sharma said.