Words by Nick Crockford
GPs on Bribie Island will have more recruitment options following changes by the Federal Government.
The Distribution Priority Area classification change means GP clinics on Bribie Island will be able to recruit from a larger pool, making it easier to hire new doctors.
This includes GPs who trained overseas or those under Australia-trained bonded doctors with return of service obligations.
Reaching out
Federal Member for Longman Terry Young said this change would provide a real difference to patients in Bribie.
“Short term, this mean that local practices on Bribie Island can begin reaching out to overseas doctors who want to move to our region and practice here,” Mr Young said.
“This change begins from January 1, 2022 and I know that local practices will be working hard to take full advantage of this significant change.”
Recruitment
Students who accepted a Commonwealth Supported Place in an Australian medical course in return for a commitment to work in a regional, rural and remote area at the end of their studies must also work in a DPA, including Bribie.
Federal Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie said the DPA expansion would mean more regional and rural communities would have access to a GP in the short term.
“More rural and regional areas will be able to utilise the DPA system when recruiting doctors for their region, whether they be those who are wanting to move here from overseas or those young doctors who accepted a place in return for working in a regional area,” Dr Gillespie said.
Communities
“This change will help ensure rural and regional areas have a choice of more doctors to work in their local communities, leading to increased access to GP and primary care services for many thousands of Australians in regional and rural communities.”
The Morrison Joyce Government will also invest in a significant incentive for eligible doctors and nurse practitioners to practice in rural, remote or very remote areas of Australia, by eliminating all or part of their Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) debt subject to meeting eligibility criteria.
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