Changes to GP distribution priority areas set to benefit Cairns but hurt the rest of FNQ

Cairns is set to benefit from a recent change in health policy but rural doctors warn this will hurt areas already suffering the brunt of GP shortages.

CAIRNS is set to benefit at the expense of surrounding rural towns as a result of a key change to the distribution of GPs, dividing medical opinion in the Far North.

The changes to distribution priority areas, or DPAs, came into effect on July 21 and mean that newly immigrated GPs and certain domestic medical scholarship holders can now work in Cairns, which is classified as a “regional centre”.

Previously, these GPs would have been required to work up to ten years in rural towns and remote communities, such as Mareeba and Port Douglas, before they could work regional centres.

Health professionals have been warning for some time of a GP shortage crisis in FNQ and changes to the DPA could exacerbate this issue.

John Hall, a Weipa GP and former president of the Rural Doctors Association of Australia, said the net effect of this change will be a reduction in doctors per capita in rural areas.

“We have a world-class health system in Australia, but there remains a problem with distribution,” he said.

“It’s very concentrated … in capital cities. The DPA was set up to get doctors into rural and remote areas, areas of genuine need.

“It was designed to close the gap in serious health outcomes for rural Australians.

“We’ve got longstanding data showing rural Australians do much worse when it comes to things like life expectancy, suicide, heart disease and cancer. Those gaps are getting wider.

“This change in policy will increase the number of doctors in Cairns but it’s at the expense of the bush, it’s robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

Dr John Hall said consequences of the change are already in motion.

Dr Hall said consequences of the change are already in motion.

“For some that have been working rurally, we’ve already had clear indication that they’ve got an intention to move,” he said.

Michael Broadbent, CEO of Partnered Health, which is the parent company of GP practices in Cairns, acknowledged the difficulty this policy change placed on rural areas but said it will result in more doctors coming to Cairns from overseas.

“I can’t disagree with the RDAA that it’s not going to assist with those more regional locations,” he said.

Smithfield Central Doctors is owned by Partnered Health and has recently made changes to its billing structure. Photo: Isaac McCarthy

“After the peak of the Covid period, we are seeing a healthy number of doctors wanting to travel to Australia to work … from places like the UK.

“I think having the DPA extension in Cairns will genuinely allow us to attract those doctors to the Far North. I have no doubt.”

Originally published as Changes to GP distribution priority areas set to benefit Cairns but hurt the rest of FNQ