Revealed: The rural Victorian towns most in need of more GPs

New data shows one region in particular is ‘ground zero’ when it comes to the worsening health crisis.

Rural and regional Victoria is copping the brunt from the ongoing GP shortage.

Patients in the Wimmera and Mallee are copping the brunt of the GP shortage overwhelming regional Victoria – and doctors warn it’s likely to get worse over the coming decade.

The state’s northwest dominates a new list of the top 10 rural and regional towns with a “beyond critical” need for new GPs, according to data compiled by the Rural Workforce Agency Victoria.

Jeparit, Kaniva, Nhill, Ouyen, Robinvale and Sea Lake were identified among the towns in 2021-22 where securing an appointment could take weeks, practices were unable to take on new patients, or patients were forced to travel long distances for care.

The Mallee has become a flashpoint in the deepening primary health crisis, after the closure of a Mildura medical clinic in August left more than 15,000 patients without a GP. 

Mayor of Hindmarsh Shire – which includes both Jeparit and Nhill – Brett Ireland said while the local doctors seemed to be coping at present, they were “obviously very stretched”.

Jeparit and Rainbow operated with one doctor splitting their time between the two towns as well as covering other sites such as aged care homes, he said.

“Obviously when you’re travelling kilometres to get to these places, that’s patients that can’t be seen,” Mr Ireland said.

“They do the best they can. It’s just unavoidable, I don’t know how we attract more doctors.”

Mallacoota and Orbost, Timboon, and Casterton and Coleraine rounded out RWAV’s list.

Vacancies for permanent GPs or GP locums for most towns on the list are currently being advertised on RWAV’s website, with many offering financial incentives up to $30,000 in a bid to attract applicants.

RWAV chief executive Trevor Carr said the agency would be aiming to further help these towns in the coming year.

“We need better sustainable solutions, “ Mr Carr said.

His sentiments echoed those of the Australian Medical Association, which last month revealed the nation’s GP shortage could exceed 10,600 by 2031.

“We need long-term solutions to improve access to GP-led care for patients, including in rural and remote areas that have been hardest hit by workforce shortages,” AMA president Steve Robson said.

CRITICAL CARE:

Top 10 Victorian towns in need of GPs (in alphabetical order)

1. Casterton/Coleraine

2. Jeparit

3. Kaniva

4. Mallacoota

5. Nhill

6. Orbost

7. Ouyen

8. Robinvale

9. Sea Lake

10. Timboon

Source: Rural Workforce Agency Victoria