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

SECURING MORE GPs FOR THE COAST

It’s been a long time coming but after years of inaction, the Government has finally bowed to pressure and recognised the need for more GPs on the Coast.

Thanks to community efforts, the Wyong-Gorokan and Toukley-Budgewoi catchments have now been made Distribution Priority Areas (DPA).

This means local practices will be able to recruit and retain more GPs from a wider pool of doctors, including overseas trained doctors and bonded medical practitioners.

“This will be welcome news for so many Coasties, but it is long overdue,” Federal Member for Dobell, Emma McBride said.

“The north end of the Coast has been battling a GP crisis for years, with locals often waiting weeks for routine appointments and practices being forced to close their books due to overwhelming demand.

“This is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done.”

While the Government has recognised these two areas as a priority, they have failed to recognise the severe GP shortage across the rest of the Coast.

“There are practices in The Entrance, Bateau Bay, and other pockets of the Coast that need more GPs,” Ms. McBride said.

“They should be a priority too but they’re still being overlooked by this Government.

“It’s only because of the incredible efforts of local doctors and our wider community that the Government has even taken this small step to address the GP crisis.”

Changes to the DPA Indicator under this Government only exacerbated the health crisis on the north end of the Coast.

It made it harder for practices to recruit and retain GPs and put more pressure on our already-stretched Emergency Departments.

“While today’s announcement is welcome, all it does is partly remedy a problem of the Government’s own making,” Ms. McBride said.

“Coasties deserve quality and affordable healthcare, close to home and I’ll keep pushing the Government to do what’s right for our community.”

THURSDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 2022