STEPPING IN AND STEPPING UP EXPANSION OF SPECIALIST TRAINING IN REGIONAL, RURAL, AND REMOTE AREAS Coordinated effort across all medical colleges to address critical shortage of specialists outside major cities
With
Associate Professor Sanjay Jeganathan, Chair
Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC)
AUSTRALIAN HEALTH JOURNAL SEGMENT
Filmed online | April 2025
Australia’s medical colleges are increasing their commitment to regional healthcare by expanding specialist training in regional, rural, and remote areas.
The Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) is Australia’s peak body representing specialist medical colleges.
Associate Professor Sanjay Jeganathan, Chair of the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) states, ”Our rural and regional communities deserve the same access to specialist care as our cities. We’re seeing real results from our colleges’ commitment to rural training.”
A/Prof Jeganathan spoke to Australian Health Journal about progress by Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) and Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA).
This expansion reflects a coordinated effort across all medical colleges to address the critical shortage of specialists outside major cities.
The expansion comes as projections show Australia could face a shortage of 5,000 doctors by 2030. While overseas-trained specialists help fill immediate gaps, medical colleges are prioritising sustainable solutions through local training programs.
“We’re building lasting change by training specialists who understand regional communities and are more likely to stay long-term,” said A/Prof Jeganathan.
Source: Written by AUDIENCED from CPMC media release (February 2025)
-
Cardinal Health brings device reprocessing plant to Australia
Cardinal Health is global medical products manufacturer and leading provider of single-use device reprocessing services in the U.S. In Australia and New Zealand, as one of the largest suppliers of medical devices, announced on 23 May 2024 that it will be opening a single-use medical device reprocessing facility in Australia – its first reprocessing facility outside the United States.
On 18 March 2025 at the Health Innovation Living Lab at the John Hunter Hospital, a further announcement was made, on the chosen single-use medical device remanufacturing facility in Beresfield, Newcastle, set to commence operation late 2025, supported by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
-
AHHA Sidney Sax Medal 2019 Awarded to Vicki Wade
AHHA Sidney Sax Medal 2019 awarded to Vicki Wade
-
New horizons in unified oral health care
The Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA) is the peak professional association representing Oral Health Practitioners (dental hygienists, dental therapists and oral health therapists) to support and promote the continued growth and development of oral health across Australia.
In October 2025, OHAA held its inaugural Congress as a new association entity to celebrate and advance the shared goals of the oral health workforce and community. This year’s Congress was held to foster learning, collaboration, and growth in the field of oral health.
