The Wire

A new proposal for a rural medical school has been met with strong criticism by health professionals and student bodies, who say it is not the most cost effective solution to bringing more doctors into rural Australia. Medical professionals and students are arguing that funding would be better spent toward providing higher quality specialised training and support for rural doctors.

The Murray-Darling Medical School is a joint proposal by La Trobe University and Charles Sturt University, and seeks to build rural medical school campuses in Wagga Wagga, Orange, and Bendigo. The project will cost around $45 million, and is currently awaiting government funding and approval.