All Eyes On Hunter Initiative

Newcastle Herald

Saturday June 23, 2007

GR

A HUNTER training initiative to help address a shortage of general physicians is being watched with interest by leading health professionals in Australia and New Zealand.

Initial funding was provided by Hunter New England Health, and the State Government has contributed $1.89 million over the next four years for four training places.

Program director John Attia said it was hoped the Federal Government would fund at least four more training places.

"There's a long history of people fighting for this," Dr Attia said.

"In our discussions with NSW Health, they said they were very interested in seeing how the program works, because they could see it being expanded.

"It's only a start, and if it stays like this it won't be enough to meet demand, but it is a good start."

The program has been developed by a group of health professionals, including Chris Levi and other senior general physicians.

© 2007 Newcastle Herald

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