State governments want to recruit retired doctors and nurses into the coronavirus-fighting workforce.
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The West Australian government has gone so far as to launch job ads this week.
It followed federal Health Minister Greg Hunt flagging the idea of pulling GPs out of retirement to help the workforce cope with demand.
It's a move welcomed by Australian Medical Association president Dr Tony Bartone, who says these older retired doctors shouldn't be working on the coronavirus front lines.
"They're in a vulnerable group ... they'll be able to perform telehealth on patients of the clinic," Dr Bartone told AAP on Tuesday.
"They'll also be able to assist in the routine clinic care or outpatient care of patients who are otherwise fit and healthy."
Dr Bartone said this could help fill gaps as GPs and their staff stayed home when they developed virus symptoms.
Mr Hunt announced new changes to telehealth on Tuesday, with contact with specialists - like midwives, general surgeons or psychiatrists - now able to be subsidised.
He said people were no longer restricted from just contacting their regular GP, but could telehealth that practice instead.
"This is about protecting the vulnerable. This is our fundamental national task," Mr Hunt said.
Currently, subsidies are restricted to certain groups of the population, including people showing coronavirus symptoms or people over 70.
But Labor's health spokesperson Chris Bowen says every Australian should have access to take pressure off the health system.
"I've been talking with doctors across the country, both in person and on the phone, who are crying out for more when it comes to telehealth," he said.
Mr Bowen also said doctors working from home should be able to provide telehealth services.
In a bid to strengthen WA's health workforce, job advertisements will run in the media starting on Wednesday.
Registered, clinical and enrolled nurses, nursing assistants, senior medical and general practitioners, junior doctors, medical scientists, and technical assistants with clinical laboratory experience are being sought in the first recruitment wave.
A second wave of recruitment will follow to attract other professions including allied health, patient support and critical hospital administration roles.
The Australian Medical Students' Association says medical students should be given the same protections and entitlements as doctors.
"This includes indemnity cover, remuneration, adequate safety measures, personal protective equipment, and training," president Daniel Zou said.
Mr Zou said it should be voluntary, shouldn't hamper students trying to complete their studies and international students' visa requirements shouldn't be impacted.
Australian Associated Press