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MEDIA RELEASE |
Rural Medical
Infrastructure Fund a Useful Tool in Attracting More Doctors to the Bush
Federal Government funding to assist rural councils
to establish walk-in walk-out medical clinics is a step in the right direction
and should help attract more desperately-needed doctors to small rural
communities, the Rural Doctors Association of
During the federal
election, the Government committed $15 million over three years to establish a
Rural Medical Infrastructure Fund, and this funding was allocated in the
federal budget. Rural communities of less than 10,000 people will be able to
apply (through their local council) for the funding, which becomes available from
“A major problem in
attracting doctors to rural and remote areas is that they are often reluctant
to make a long-term investment in the ‘bricks and mortar’, medical equipment
and other infrastructure necessary to run a medical practice” RDAA Vice President,
Dr Ross Maxwell, said.
“Doctors who are already
practising medicine in a rural community—and those who may be considering a
move to the bush—find that the cost of establishing and maintaining suitable
practice premises and facilities has a big impact on their financial viability.
“There is also little
return on the significant investment required to establish a rural medical
practice, which creates problems for those who eventually want to relocate,
retire, or are fearful of being tied into a practice they cannot sell.
“Community medical
facilities that are established and run by rural councils or other rural
stakeholder and community groups are an attractive alternative. They offer many
advantages to doctors seeking short to medium-term work in rural areas, and in
this way they encourage more doctors to practise in the bush.
“RDAA, together with the
National Farmers Federation, the Australian Local Government Association,
Country Women’s Association of Australia and Health Consumers of Rural and
Remote Australia called for the establishment of such a fund in their joint 10
point plan, Good Health to Rural
Communities, released last year.
“Consequently, we are now
pleased to see the Coalition’s establishment of the Rural Medical Infrastructure
Fund—this fund will set a solid foundation for attracting doctors to our
smallest rural and remote communities, many of which are really suffering from an
extreme shortage of local health professionals.
“RDAA hopes the funding
for this valuable initiative will be extended beyond the initial three year
timeframe and that the total available funding will be substantially increased,
to enable more communities to benefit from it. We also hope that consideration
will be given to enabling other rural stakeholder and community groups to apply
for funding to establish walk-in walk-out medical practices.
“Many of our smallest
rural and remote communities find it extremely difficult to attract doctors and
other health professionals. Because the Rural Medical Infrastructure Fund will
enable more of these communities to establish medical practices, it should prove
to be a valuable tool in helping to get more doctors to the bush.”
Further details on the
Rural Medical Infrastructure Fund can be found at www.regionalpartnerships.gov.au.
RDAA Vice
President Dr Ross Maxwell and RDAA Immediate Past President
Dr Ken Mackey are available for interview. The Presidents of the state and
territory Rural Doctors Associations are also available for comment.
Please contact
RDAA Media Advisor, Patrick Daley, on tel: (02) 6273 9303 bh or (0408) 004 890.