EMMA MCBRIDE MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR CARERS
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR DOBELL

GP CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FINALLY COMING UNDER REVIEW

After years of public outcry about the critical lack of doctors on the Coast, the Government has finally agreed to review its GP classification system.

Under the current system, much of the Coast is classified as a non-Distribution Priority Area (DPA) which makes it harder for local practices to recruit and retain GPs.

Federal Member for Dobell, Emma McBride has fought hard to review this system and she says the Government’s announcement is long overdue.

“I’ve been calling on the Government to address the acute GP shortage on the Coast for a long time now, and this review is a step in the right direction,” Ms. McBride said.

“The DPA system clearly isn’t working. It’s left practices short of doctors, it’s forcing patients to wait weeks for routine appointments and it’s putting even more pressure on Emergency Departments because people can’t get in to see a GP to get the treatment they need.

“It’s well past time that something was done.”

Ms. McBride says it’s crucial that the Government acts quickly and conducts this review as soon as possible, in conjunction with the Senate Inquiry that Labor successfully called for.

“The review must be transparent, and GPs must be included in the process because they see first-hand how shortages are affecting people on the Coast.”

In the meantime, the Government has introduced the ‘Exceptional Circumstances’ Application which will allow practices to seek a review into their own DPA status in real time, but more needs to be done.

“The Government must put emergency measures in place in the meantime, to make sure locals have quick and easy access to healthcare in their own communities,” Ms. McBride said.

“In the middle of a pandemic, this is vital.”

MONDAY 6 SEPTEMBER