The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) has called for the health reform agenda to focus on boosting the number of doctors and other health professionals in rural Australia, rather than adding ‘band-aid solutions’.

 

RDAA President, Dr Paul Mara, said the current health reform agenda is “missing the main point—that services in rural communities are best delivered by committed local doctors, nurses and other health professionals with the training, qualifications and skills that meet the needs of their communities”.

 

He said a case in point was the after hours GP helpline, and the proposal to move responsibility for the provision of all after-hours services to the Medicare Locals.

 

“Medicare Locals are a completely un-tested initiative and, as such, we have concerns about their ability to maintain, let alone improve, after-hours care in rural settings” he said.

 

“We are not yet convinced that they will have the resources, commitment or even accountability mechanisms in place to take over after-hours care in rural communities.

 

“In fact, they may make things harder for communities to attract doctors willing and able to provide after-hours care, as many longstanding rural doctors who have been providing after-hours care for years take some of the changes as a signal that their services are not valued and simply walk away.”

 

Dr Mara outlined RDAA’s position at a recent meeting with the Federal Health Minister, Nicola Roxon. The Association welcomed an offer of further discussions with the Minister to address the broader issues around medical workforce.