The four-year extension of training places for specialists announced by the Federal Government last week will boost access to non-GP services in regional areas but will not fully address shortages, the Royal Australasian College of Physicians says.

Last week, the government announced a $708.6 million package to fund 920 full-time equivalent (FTE) training places annually until 2026.

Minister for Regional Health Dr David Gillespie said at least half of these places would be for positions outside of the major cities or in private settings.

“Already the program has benefitted more than 190 regional, rural and remote locations, and has seen an increase in rural training from 309 FTE places in 2018 to 380 places in 2020,” Dr Gillespie said.