10 April 2025

The shortage of doctors and other health workers, long working hours, fatigue and burnout highlighted by doctors in NSW this week are indicative of wider health workforce and wellbeing issues across the country.

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) argues the issue is impacting on patients as well as physicians and their loved ones.

RACP President, Professor Jennifer Martin, said federal, state and territory governments needed to invest more in growing and supporting the medical workforce.

“Australia does not have enough physicians, and the ones we have are not always able to practice in the communities where they are needed,” Professor Martin said.

“For patients, this can mean long waitlists, delayed treatment, exhausted doctors, worsening health, increased costs when the public system is not accessible, and for many rural Australians – long, uncomfortable, and costly trips to capital cities or regional centres.

“For doctors, this can mean working 70 hours a week, with fewer colleagues to share the load, as patient’s needs become increasingly complex.

“The toll this takes on us mentally, physically and emotionally – as well as the toll on our families and relationships – cannot be understated.”

In a 2024 survey of RACP’s members (physicians and trainees in a range of specialties such as paediatricians and cardiologists), improving doctor wellbeing and workforce supply and distribution were respondents’ top two priorities.

Professor Martin said with a federal election approaching, there had not been enough focus on increasing the number of physicians.

“We have seen commitments from the major parties on boosting GP numbers, which is really important. But what we’re seeing is that when a GP refers someone to a physician – for example referring a family to a paediatrician for an autism assessment – that family can be waiting years to see the paediatrician because there are just not enough of them in their area.

“We need a stronger commitment across, federal, state and territory governments to create more training places for physicians – especially in rural areas.

“We need commitment to real reform of our health system so that doctors and other health workers are not overworked, burnt out and leaving the sector that so badly needs them.

The RACP is calling federal, state and territory governments to work with the RACP and its members to improve physician and trainee wellbeing and healthy work arrangements, including through:

• Strengthened capacity to train physicians to ensure access to healthcare across the community, including in rural and remote areas

• Strategies for flexible training, work hours, parental leave and other support mechanisms for physicians and trainees

• Ensuring sufficient, protected time to teach and supervise trainees

• Investing in Chief Wellness Officers - paid clinical positions with health and wellbeing responsibilities.