The rural doctors association of Australia said immediate action was needed to stop the decline of health services in regional Australia.
In a submission to the government, the association has asked for more funding for the national rural generalist pathway and a commitment to funding the national rural health commissioner on an ongoing basis.
President of the rural doctors association of Australia Dr John Hall said the upcoming federal budget was a ‘pivotal moment’ in the future of rural health care.
“The Morrison Government has done a decent job of identifying and developing programs that will help build the pipeline of doctors training to provide medical services in the bush,” Dr Hall said.
“But these programs are under-resourced, and simply need more money and a renewed focus to get them out of the starting blocks.
“With only six weeks to go until the recruitment for these positions opens, we still don’t know how they are going to be rolled out. This cannot continue budget to budget.”
CEO of Echuca Health Nick Bush, said it was difficult to recruit doctors to the region and as a result patients faced wait lists.
“The numbers are below what we need for timely medical access for our patients,” Mr Bush said.
“We applaud and welcome any additional funding that helps us fill these vacancies.”
Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton said the government would fund 100 training places through the Australian college of rural and remote Medicine for the 2021 training year but did not commit to funding the commission on an ongoing basis.
“There is still more work to be done to improve health outcomes in rural communities and the office of the Commissioner plays an important role in contributing to meaningful rural health policy reform. The Government will announce a decision in due course,” Mr Coulton said.
“The Rural Health Commissioner is undertaking important work with regional, rural and remote communities and other stakeholders to improve rural health policies and champion rural practice.”
Shadow minister for health Chris Bowen said the rural GP pathway should not depend on the annual budget process and the government must implement and confirm its ongoing funding.
“The national rural health commissioner has made an invaluable contribution on the generalist pathway and the role should be retained,” Mr Bowen said.
“Labor supported the legislation that established the Commissioner. It was Labor that amended the legislation so that the role was reviewed this year, not abolished as the Government had proposed.”
Dr Hall said it was rural Australia that brought this Government to power and it was time for them to recognise the importance of our rural and remote communities more than just election time.
“They need to provide regional Australia with the investment that’s needed to have the equitable access to health care that they deserve,” Dr Hall said.
15°C