The Doctors Reform Society today warned that the excessive restriction of overseas trained doctors is the "tip of the iceberg" of the problem of a shortage of specialist doctors throughout Australia.

"Many of the doctor specialist training colleges have for years been excessively restricting the training of specialist doctors throughout Australia. This restriction was proven in the report on the supply of and requirements for Medical Specialist Services in Australia, "A Cutting Edge: Australia’s Surgical Workforce 1994" by Professor Peter Baume" said Dr Con Costa, President of the Doctors Reform Society.

"As a result of limiting the numbers of trainees, there is now a shortage in many of the specialties throughout Australia. This has resulted in long waiting lists at public hospitals and excessive billing by many specialists" said Dr Costa.

"It is appalling that the Federal Government has not acted to end this outrageous monopoly control of specialist training that has contributed to so much unnecessary patient suffering and higher health costs" said Dr Costa.

"Firstly, the Federal Government should allow more appropriately qualified overseas trained doctors to practice in Australia to fill the unfilled specialist positions in public hospitals and rural areas.

Secondly, the Federal Government should force the specialist training colleges to train more Australian trained doctors as specialists. If the colleges refuse, the Government should reopen specialist training positions in universities" said Dr Costa.

"Some specialists incomes may drop if these changes were introduced but patient care would improve and isn’t this what the health system is all about" said Dr Costa.

22 January, 1999