Country Liberals Senator for the Northern Territory Nigel Scullion has urged eligible Northern Territory general practices to apply for new Australian Government grants of up to $300,000 to enable them to build the extra facilities they need to take on more trainees and GP registrars.

“This is a very welcome initiative by the Australian Government that will boost the health workforce in our area and give people in the Territory better access to quality health services,” Senator Scullion said.

“General practices are now able to access the guidelines for the Rural and Remote Teaching Infrastructure Grants programme and are invited to apply in the round of grants,” Senator Scullion said.

The programme guidelines for the Rural and Remote Teaching Infrastructure Grants programme and an ‘Invitation to Apply’ have been released by the Assistant Minister for Health, Fiona Nash, and are now available on the Department of Health’s website at www.health.gov.au/tenders. Applications close on 23 February 2015.

Senator Scullion said the Government committed $52.5 million over three years in the Budget to help general practices in regional and rural locations to expand facilities, with the additional consultation rooms and space to support more medical students and supervising GP registrars.

“Grants of up to $300,000 are available to help practices upgrade their facilities, with the general practice to also provide matching funding.

“The Government supports a strong primary care workforce that can meet Australia’s future healthcare needs.

“This investment in general practice and the primary care workforce will not only strengthen the general practice workforce here in the NT. It will also enhance the local training of doctors, GP registrars and medical students and give patients better access to health services.

“Moreover, opportunities for medical students and registrars to experience rural and remote practice here will help foster interest in careers in the Territory, boosting our health workforce.

“We know from the evidence that people often choose to stay and work in areas where they have trained – and we want such people in the Northern Territory,” Senator Scullion said.

Download media release:
2014-12-10 Rural Remote GP teaching grants release.pdf