News
Beattie Govt To Improve Training For Health Workforce |
| Spokesperson: | Minister for Health - Hon Stephen Robertson |
| Date: | Wednesday, 10 May 2006 |
| Category: | State Health News |
| A new top level taskforce will improve clinical training and professional development for Queensland's health workforce, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today. Mr Robertson told State Parliament the Ministerial Taskforce on Clinical Education and Training would be crucial in advising on the most appropriate clinical education and training of our doctors, nurses and allied health staff after they join the health system. "I previously announced my intention to establish a Ministerial Taskforce on Clinical Education and Training," Mr Robertson said. "I am delivering on that commitment. "And, I have taken on board the comments raised by key stakeholder groups such as the AMA about the need for a better, more coordinated approach to clinical education and training support." Mr Robertson said the taskforce would focus on all facets of vocational training support; including undergraduate clinical training, vocational medical training, clinical training networks and new and returning clinician support. "Its work will be overseen by a steering committee comprising key health stakeholders, including AMAQ president-elect, Dr Zelle Hodge, senior representatives from Australia's medical colleges and schools, student representatives, plus unions and councils representing nurses and allied health professionals," he said. "This committee will oversee four expert reference groups and their associated working parties who will each be examining specific areas of undergraduate, vocational and clinical training support. "All reference groups except for the second will examine issues as they relate to the medical, nursing and allied health professional workforces. "The second group will examine issues that relate only to the vocational medical workforce such as doctors who have chosen to train in a particular speciality. "Medical specialty training is unique within the health professions and there is no comparable form of training within the nursing or allied health workforces." Mr Robertson said the taskforce would not examine issues related to the pre-vocational phase of doctors' training such as their first and second years after completion of university study, because a significant project addressing this issue is already underway. "The Taskforce will advise the government on innovative models for future clinical training as well as identify what support should be provided for students and trainees," he said. "It will also identify implementation issues that will need to be taken into consideration if Queensland Health and other stakeholders implement the proposed range of clinical supports. "The Beattie Government well understands that there's more to training doctors than creating extra training places in universities. "We're acutely aware of the challenges of providing training places for graduate doctors, nurses and allied health staff in our hospitals. "That's why this top level Taskforce will advise me on the best ways forward to improve clinical education and training support for our medical staff." |
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