Salary of up to $750k draws GPs to Lameroo

An SA rural community is celebrating after an ad for a GP with a staggering salary drew a strong response – as city doctors stage a protest over funding.

Lameroo has hit the health jackpot with two new GPs after SA Health advertised a position paying up to $750,000.

The two new medical officers will join a part-time GP already employed at Mallee Medical Practice and a contracted GP serving Pinnaroo and Lameroo, providing increased services to the community.

Remuneration for the advertised positions started at $475,763, consistent with the salaried medical officer employment agreement – which covers South Australia including metropolitan areas, and range to $750,000 although specific salaries are confidential.

The Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network released a statement announcing: “Following strong interest in the positions advertised, we are pleased to announce we have recruited two new medical officers who will start in their roles at the Mallee Medical Practice early next year, providing medical services to the Southern Mallee district.

“We look forward to introducing the successful candidates to the community at the earliest opportunity.

“Salaries for medical officers employed by SA Health are based on an individual’s clinical experience and training.”

The existing part-time GP and the two new medical officers are employees of SA Health, rather than being independent small-business operators.

They will provide inpatient, outpatient and general practice services to Mallee Medical Practice, Lameroo and Pinnaroo Health Services and supervise trainees and GP registrars.

Patients in the area face paying gap fees at the government-owned clinic.

The move comes amid a growing crisis of shortages of GPs across rural areas, forcing SA Health to employ locums at up to $3000 per shift to work at hospitals that once relied on local GPs.

GPs and staff at Blair Athol Medical Clinic holding protest over what they say is lack of federal government support for GPs. Picture: Dr Kamal Wellalagobage

Unlike a GP running their own practice, the successful applicant will have no overheads such as staff costs, rent, power and medical equipment.

Australian Taxation Office data lists “other medical professionals” as number six on its top 10 list of occupations with an average taxable income of $232,903 in 2019-20, behind surgeons, anaesthetists, internal medicine specialists, financial dealers and psychiatrists.

Meanwhile doctors and staff at the Blair Athol Medical Clinic staged a “peaceful protest” this week over what they say is lack of federal government support for GPs.

The on-site demonstration comes as the clinic struggles with costs, and will end bulk billing from next year.

Practice manager Angela Lee says the clinic has 15,000 patients on its books but like many practices is struggling as, for years, Medicare rebates have failed to keep pace with inflation.

“Medicare and Medicare red tape is one of the primary reasons patients are unable to access appointments, surgeries do not have enough doctors and bulk billing is a thing of the past,” Ms Lee said.

“As more general practices lose doctors and no longer bulk bill, reduce hours or even close down, this will add more pressure on our hospitals and in general add to the decline of healthcare in Australia.”