Coronavirus Queensland LIVE updates: COVID-19 case...

Australia’s medical watchdog has mobilised an unprecedented pandemic sub-register to get more than 40,000 retired doctors, nurses, midwives and pharmacists back into the healthcare system to join the coronavirus resistance.

Loading

The scheme comes as medical school graduates apply for their practitioner registration in droves and final-year students have been asked to express interest in entering hospitals early.

From Monday, 4800 medicos, 13,000 nurses, 2400 midwives and 2200 pharmacists who retired or moved to a non-practising registration in the past three years will be automatically listed on the sub-register and able to return to the healthcare system.

Physiotherapists, radiographers and other allied health workers are expected to join the cavalry in the near future who will help care for COVID-19 patients, or work in other sections of the sector to free up their colleagues who can.

Read more from Kate Aubusson and Mary Ward here.