We’re getting a taste of our own medicine
For too long Territory students who have had the ambition and ability to study medicine locally have been unable to due to lack of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs), with some having to move interstate. No longer.
This week the Albanese Government delivered on long-term calls for Charles Darwin University to establish and operate a stand-alone medical school.
It will revolutionise medicine in the Territory, helping to train and retain more doctors. And not just from Darwin and Palmerston, but from right across our region. Our $24.6 million investment will allow for 40 medical CSPs each year for four years (with CDU then applying for ongoing allocation). It will also support capital, establishment, and recurrent costs – building the medical floor of the Better Health Futures building, with construction already under way, as well as supporting purpose-built classrooms, accommodation facilities and more.
The final report of the Australian Universities Accord found a need to increase the number of medical students practising in regional areas.
We know medical graduates who come from a regional background (or study in the regions) are much more likely to stay and practise in these areas. And getting more doctors training, working, and living in the Territory will support the health of all Territorians.
Speaking at the announcement on Friday, Darwin High School graduate and current CDU student Thevini Abeywardana said, “I want to complete all my study and prac in the Territory so I can stay close to my family, learn medicine here and give back to the community.
“This is an amazing opportunity for students to be able to complete all their medical studies in their hometown within the same tertiary program, both post and undergraduate, in an environment they know and are comfortable in.”
We’ve got the talent here, and this history-making investment delivers more funded positions as well as more training opportunities to get Territorians qualified and out into our local community.
More doctors from here, for here. That’s why we’re also delivering an additional $4.7 million over five years for the existing Northern Territory Medical Program (NTMP).
A collaboration between Flinders University and CDU – and co-funded by the NT and Australian Government – it will support an additional six places per year, bringing the total number of funded positions in that program to 36.
More than 200 students have graduated from the program to date, all taking up initial junior doctor positions in the Territory.
Almost nine out of 10 students have been from the Territory, with 10 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.
With the addition of a new CDU Medical School and more CSPs, we’re looking forward to seeing these numbers grow significantly.
According to Territorian, Dr Jerome Thorbjornsen, “the unique, home-grown understanding of the socio-economic factors involved in our region make Territorians the best investment in medicine, now and into the future”.
CDU deserves its own medical school, and the Albanese Government is proud to deliver one.
I’d like to thank all the truly outstanding staff and students at Flinders University and Charles Darwin University. The Territory’s future is brighter because of you.
And to the inaugural CDU Medical School Dean, Professor Di Stephens OAM, one of our great Territorians – Malarndirri, Marion and I can’t thank you enough. We did it.