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Shortage of doctors in Ballarat sends alarm bells ringing
13 April 2011
A looming shortage of doctors in Ballarat has prompted AMA Victoria to call on the Victorian Government and local hospitals to avert a potentially critical problem.
AMA Victoria Board Member Dr Lorraine Baker said today insufficient numbers of doctors were being attracted to the area to replace doctors who were retiring or leaving.
“Ballarat must devise strategies to attract new doctors to the region,” Dr Baker said. “The State Government should take notice of this worrying trend and implement corrective strategies.”
Dr Baker made her comments following an AMA Victoria meeting with doctors from Ballarat and surrounding areas where the looming doctor shortage and other issues were raised by concerned local doctors.
Doctors were invited to discuss the Victorian Government’s Health Services Plan 2022 and to voice their concerns about local issues.
“Doctors want to see investment in recruitment to ensure that new doctors come to the region,” said Dr Baker. “The Government needs to make it easier for health professionals and their families to relocate to regional areas — especially by supporting the spouses of doctors to find employment in their own professions.”
Department of Health Regional Director Tom Niederle attended the meeting to hear doctors’ views. Mr Niederle also spoke about the Rural and Regional Health Plan which will look at the future of Victoria’s entire health care system and involve consultation with stakeholders in the Victorian health system.
The Rural and Regional Health Plan will form part of the Health Services Plan 2022.
Of particular concern to local doctors was the proposed introduction of Medicare Locals. “The Commonwealth Government intends to spend half-a-billion dollars on Medicare Locals, yet no one knows what they will do for patients or doctors,” said Dr Baker.
Medicare Locals is a Commonwealth Government program intended to help patients navigate the health system and coordinate local health services.
“Adding another layer of bureaucracy to our already complex health system won’t help patients navigate the health system. Medicare Locals will act as a barrier between patients, their doctors and the care they deserve,” Dr Baker said.
“A bureaucrat hundreds of kilometers away cannot help patients navigate today’s complex health system,” said Dr Baker. The proposed catchment area for Ballarat’s Medicare Local extends from Bacchus Marsh to the South Australian border.
AMA Victoria has written to the Premier, Mr Ted Baillieu, calling on the State Government to oppose Medicare Locals in its current form.
Another major concern expressed by doctors is the shortage of services in addiction medicine in Ballarat and the region.
“Without specialist services the burden of caring for patients suffering from addiction falls on GPs. As a result, the number of GPs willing to act as pharmacotherapy providers in the area is shrinking,” said Dr Baker.
“This makes accessing medication such as methadone and other essential support services increasingly difficult for patients struggling with addiction. Patients who, with the right support, can access and maintain improved quality of life.”
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