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Curtin med school sparks war of words
The federal government is trading blows with the Australian Medical Association over doctors’ concerns that Curtin University’s planned medical school will exacerbate training bottlenecks.
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The AMA is one of Australia’s most hardcore trade union organizations and in no way represents the views of the public generating their power through excessive fear mongering. They should not hold the keys to medical policy or legislation and rightly so. They worry about the 60 unemployed doctors that may not be employed after five years, but fail to acknowledge the other jobs that Curtin’s new school will generate. To Curtin University and to the federal and state governments, well done!
Given spate of young junior doctor suicides in WA hospitals in the last several months (WHICH WERE GIVEN NO MEDIA NOR AMA ATTENTION!) isn’t the AMA’s attention inappropriate and callous? If the AMA does not care about the well being of their own overworked younger members, why would they care about the well being of the public. Stop attempting to artificially restrict doctor training for increased collective union bargaining to line your own pockets. All at the expense of your own doctors well being. FOR SHAME!
Mr Pethick works at Curtin University which explains his support of the proposed new medical school. As a Geophysical software developer, I am unsure what makes him an expert in the medical field.
The AMA is correct, there is a lack of training places for graduates. The shortage of doctors in WA in previous years has been filled by International doctors in both the hospitals and GP practices in the metro and country areas. I know of recent graduates who can’t obtain training positions and are still working as service registrars in the hospitals and several have gone overseas to work. Many of the international students who are WA trained doctors can’t obtain employment.
Sadly people do commit suicide, and this doesn’t exclude doctors, nurses, teachers and young folk. Are we really at a point in society where we blame everyone else for another persons actions. You can’t blame hospitals, the AMA, or family members for a persons actions, or possibly mental health issues. Maybe the families didn’t want their loved ones actions made public, I know I wouldn’t.
As to the juvenile comments regarding the AMA not looking after their own,