Positive move towards workforce recruitment

20 May 2005

Positive move towards workforce recruitment

A Budget increase of 60 percent in the grant paid to a trainee medical intern (sixth year) is seen as a positive move by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.

The amount of the old grant ($16,750) had not changed in many years and the $10,000 increase recognised the new reality, College president Dr Jim Vause said.

“One of the major challenges facing primary care is workforce recruitment and retention,” Dr Vause said. “This increase will go some way to reducing both student debt and the consequent perceived barriers that prevent medical graduates choosing primary care.”

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