Six new doctors ease the squeeze on GP demand, Davies

Author: Mia Davies
Published on: 12-December-2011

Member for the Agricultural Region, Mia Davies says six regional communities now have better access to a doctor thanks to the $565 million Southern Inland Health Initiative.

Doctors in Merredin, Lake Grace, Corrigin, Quairading, Kalbarri and Esperance have agreed to work under the Southern Inland network model to provide emergency and primary care services to people in these in towns.  

The Southern Inland Health Initiative is funded under the State Government’s program and includes a $240 million investment in the regional workforce as well as $325 million for capital works over the next five years.

"For doctors the new model will mean more support, a better work/life balance and less time spent on call," Ms Davies said.

A component of the Southern Inland Health Initiative is a campaign to recruit new GPs to the southern Inland area.

"Already there has been significant interest with 17 applications from doctors being assessed, including 10 from the United Kingdom," Ms Davies said.

During 2010 the Parliamentary National Party surveyed every country local government to quantify the challenges shires faced in attracting and retaining doctors.

"The responses were alarming, with some shires providing as much as $930,000 a year in incentives to attract and retain doctors in their town," Ms Davies said.

Ms Davies said the Southern Inland Health Initiative was the single greatest investment in regional health care in the State’s history, and it was thanks to Royalties for Regions.