Specialist training pipeline 'critical' to quality healthcare

ANY bid to cut funding for the Specialist Training Program (STP) will see the medical workforce rapidly de-skilled and put future patient outcomes at risk of disastrous consequences.

A Federal Health Department review risks the scheme being cut or scrapped, meaning medical trainees across surgery, psychiatry, oncology, palliative care and rehabilitation will no longer get the comprehensive practical experience they need under the guidance of senior specialist mentors.

For decades private hospitals have been unique in providing some of the most comprehensive training environments for specialist trainees. They offer hands-on clinical experience with expert supervision and mentoring, enabling trainees to build deep, practical capability across their field.

"That deeper, mentored practical experience for the next generation of surgeons and other specialists is under threat," APHA CEO Brett Heffernan said.

"The Federal Government tried to axe the program last year. We were able to win a reprieve. Now a departmental review has put it back on the chopping block.

"It's important to understand that STP funding only contributes to the cost of providing a training place, it does not fully fund it. Private hospitals make a significant financial contribution each year on top of the STP funding to cover the gap in trainee wages, employment costs, and the delivery of required clinical supervision.

"For example, the shortfall in psychiatry is around $80,000 per training place, per year. This is a substantial investment by private hospitals to ensure trainees receive the high-quality experience they need.

"The Federal Government must secure the future of the STP as a priority. If anything, it should be urgently expanding it. But in the face of this review, the first task is to save it.

"We hope government officials will have an open mind and provide long-term certainty and strengthen support for specialist training in private hospitals. Any dilution of the program will undermine the number and skillset of young specialists getting real-world experience at a time when demand for healthcare is soaring and workforce shortages are becoming critical."

APHA surveyed private hospitals participating in the program and found unanimous support for its continuation, with respondents noting the essential need to train the next generation of specialists as 'critically important' (81.8%) and a further 9.1% as 'very important'.

However, STP funding only covers part of the costs. More than one-third of hospitals reported the program meets 50–75% of training costs, while 27.3% said it covers less than 25%, meaning private hospitals invest substantial additional resources themselves to support specialist training.

"Private hospitals are investing heavily because they know how important specialist training is to the future of the health system," Mr Heffernan said.

"The STP makes these training positions possible. Without it, private hospitals would struggle to sustain registrar roles across psychiatry, oncology, surgery, palliative care and rehabilitation.

"Training in private hospitals gives doctors experience in real clinical environments and exposes them to different models of care. It also helps address workforce shortages by creating a pipeline of specialists who are ready for practice from day one."

-ENDS-
Media contact: Lilly Tawadros at M: 0422 337 867 or E:

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