Strengthening South Australia’s physician workforce ahead of the state election

Today, RACP South Australian Committee Chair A/Prof Andrew Lee met with SA Health Minister the Hon. Chris Picton in his Adelaide office to discuss how we can better collaborate, so together, we can support physicians across the state, especially on workforce planning.

Following our joint three-point plan with 10 specialist medical colleges and our South Australia Election Statement, the conversation focused on what matters most to physicians on the ground:

• Smarter workforce planning, backed by shared training and workforce data
• Protecting physician wellbeing, including safe and sustainable working hours
• Safeguarding time for teaching, learning and research
• Supporting smaller specialties facing increasing workforce pressure

Encouragingly, there was in-principle agreement to progress this work together. This is a positive step toward a more sustainable, supported physician workforce.

We’ve also met with the Shadow Health Minister and look forward to working constructively with the incoming government following this weekend’s election.

Pictured (left to right): Samuel Dettmann (RACP Senior Policy Officer), the Hon. Chris Picton MP (South Australian Minister for Health) and Associate Professor Andrew Lee (RACP South Australian Committee Chair)