University welcomes medical funding boost

Wednesday, 12 April 2006

The University of Adelaide's Medical School has welcomed the Federal Government's announcement to fund extra places for medical students around the nation.

Executive Dean of the University's Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Justin Beilby, says the $250 million package of funding for extra medical and nurse places will help address a national shortage in both areas.

"I am pleased that the Federal Government has made this commitment," Professor Beilby says. "We have lobbied the Government for some time for an increase in HECS places at Adelaide, and I am hopeful that we will be able to attract some of the extra places that will be on offer.

"We have already joined in a partnership with the State Government to provide extra HECS places in our school - from next year the State Government will provide five extra places and we will reinforce this with 20 places through our tertiary transfer scheme. Any additional Federally-funded places on top of these will be most welcome.

"The shortage of doctors is a national problem and I am very encouraged that the responsible national body, the Federal Government, is taking steps to address it. At the University of Adelaide, we remain committed to doing our part by training as many South Australians as possible."

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