Immigrant GPs to ‘abandon bush for suburbs’ thanks to Labor change
Country towns doctor shortages are set to get even worse after a new rule came into force that’s got immigrant GPs on the move.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Rural clinics are already losing GPs after last month’s federal government change, which allowed overseas trained doctors to work off their bonded time in suburbs such as Belair and Golden Grove, as well as in country towns.
Rural Doctors Association of Australia president Dr Megan Belot says country medical practices report resignations and withdrawal of job applications as immigrant doctors working in rural and remote Australia “begin their migration to larger centres”.
Labor went to the election promising the change to help lure GPs to outer suburban areas but Dr Belot said it meant even tougher times ahead for country people needing medical care.
The change to the Distribution Priority Area this month has elevated hundreds of suburban areas into the list where overseas trained doctors (OTDs) can work off their bonded time of up to 10 years.
In SA priority areas now include places such as Blackwood, Happy Valley, Morphett Vale, Elizabeth, Aberfoyle Park and Mount Barker.
See the interactive map here to see if your area qualifies, tick the “GPs” box.
“Many rural and remote towns rely on OTDs who staff their general practices due to the Distribution Priority Area system which requires OTDs who wish to live and practise medicine in Australia to spend time caring for patients in an area of need before receiving an unrestricted Medicare provider number enabling them to practice anywhere,” Dr Belot said.
“DPAs were set up to address shortages of doctors in rural areas. The Labor government has now expanded DPAs to include all large regional centres as well as some outer metro areas.
“Many rural and remote towns will be abandoned by doctors who will move to more sociable, convenient and connected locations.”
Within days of the change coming into effect the RDAA says it is receiving reports of OTDs resigning and applicants for jobs withdrawing.
RDA SA chairman Dr Peter Rischbieth was not yet aware of any such cases in South Australia.
“But it is only a matter of time – overseas trained doctors will decide they want to work in Morphett Vale or Gawler rather than Ceduna to work off their bonded time,” he said.
“It is another kick in the guts to rural medicine and communities.”
Dr Rischbieth noted rural practices need several doctors to spread the workload, allow for time off and camaraderie. Expensive locums fill in at rural hospitals which once relied on local GPs.
The RDAA is meeting federal Health Minister Mark Butler to discuss the issue.
In announcing the expansion of the priority area system on July 21 Mr Butler said it would mean “much-needed GPs will be able to move into these areas of need and get to work immediately, providing Australians with essential care close to home.”
The looming rural exodus comes amid warnings GP clinics will need to abandon bulk billing to stay viable as Medicare rebates lag behind inflation costs.
The Greater Fleurieu Medical Centre at Yankalilla closed last month, citing an unexpected resignation and an inability to obtain doctors to rural areas.
SA’s Izzi Batt-Doyle claims Australian half marathon record
Adelaide’s Izzi Batt-Doyle has claimed her second Australian record within a year, beating Kerryn McCann’s half marathon record set more than 25 years ago.
US tariff risk to SA farmers
Hopes that interest rates could begin to fall are injecting optimism into the SA economy, but Trump’s tariffs pose as a serious threat to the state’s farmers.