Providing More Doctors For The Bay

THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery

THE HON DR MIKE KELLY MP
Federal Member for Eden-Monaro

MEDIA RELEASE

30 October 2009

Providing More Doctors for the Bay

GPs in Batemans Bay will be offered retention grants of up to $12,000 a year under a Rudd Government initiative to encourage them to stay working in the region.

Visiting Batemans Bay to consult local doctors and health professionals about proposed National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission reforms, the Minister for Rural and Regional Health, Warren Snowdon said changes to the General Practice Rural Incentives Program would provide a significant boost for local doctors.

The changes to the program, which take effect from 1 July 2010, will also provide a relocation grant of $15,000 to eligible doctors who relocate to Batemans Bay from a major metropolitan city.

"Keeping existing GPs in Batemans Bay, and encouraging more doctors to move here as well, benefits all residents of the southern New South Wales coastal region," Mr Snowdon said.

"Under the current outdated system of incentive payments, GPs in Batemans Bay qualify for a retention grant of up to $5,000 per year only after an initial six-year wait," he said.

"The changes we're introducing next year will offer a grant of up to $15,000 to doctors relocating to the Bay. On top of this, after one year they become eligible for a retention grant of $2,500, rising to $12,000 per year after five years.

The Federal Member for Eden-Monaro, Dr Mike Kelly MP, who was also in Batemans Bay for the consultation forum with local doctors and health professionals, said health workforce issues were a big issue for the southern NSW coastal region.

"These changes represent a significant improvement from the old GP incentive scheme and shows the Rudd Government is serious about attracting GPs to communities like Batemans Bay and encouraging them to stay," Dr Kelly said.

The Batemans Bay Hospital consultation is the 66th forum to be held across the country and gives local health professionals the opportunity to have their say on the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission report.

The Commission's report made recommendations for system-wide changes to Australian health care.

All Australians are able contribute to the national debate and are invited to have their say via the www.yourHealth.gov.au website.

The Commission's report, A healthier future for all Australians, can be found on the website, along with the two other reports presented to the Australian Government the draft of the National Primary Health Care Strategy and the report of the National Preventative Health Taskforce.

Media contact:
Greg Doolan (Mr Snowdon's office) 0433 345 323
Ashley Ubrihien (Dr Kelly's office) 0447 694 201


SOURCE: Minister for Indigenous and Rural and Regional Health