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Planning regulations cost patients care
Victorians are missing out on medical care due to onerous planning requirements, AMA Victoria President Dr Harry Hemley said today.
“Currently, access to general practice is being obstructed by state planning regulations that require five car parks per full time practitioner,” said Dr Hemley.
“General practices that want to expand services to the community are often thwarted by these planning regulations.
“Access to primary care is a crucial issue. Victoria’s growing and ageing population highlights the need to improve access to general practice.
“Victoria’s doctor shortage affects communities’ access to primary care. Many Victorians, in metropolitan and regional areas, simply cannot get an appointment to see their GP. Indeed, forecasts show the worst is yet to come.
“The law should not require doctors to build additional car parking spaces where existing parking supply is sufficient. Such requirements are a barrier to expanded general practice services.”
In 2007 an independent advisory committee recommended to the Minister that parking requirements be lowered for practices employing additional medical practitioners. These recommendations have yet to be implemented.
“The Government must act on the committee’s recommendations to help ensure that communities can access primary care.”
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