SINGLE EMPLOYER GP MODEL ROLLOUT: POLICY MORE IMPORTANT THAN PARTISANSHIP

The issue of rural doctor shortages is a well-known crisis plaguing communities across rural, regional and remote New South Wales.

That is why I was so pleased to have been a supporter of the single employer GP model as also endorsed by the Australian Medical Association. The pilot program was in fact developed by and trialed in the Murrumbidgee Health District, that is to say, our local health district. This pilot ran successfully for three years.

We need new approaches to making sure we have the rural health workers we need. This is an excellent example of a promising new approach.

I support Minister Taylor 100% on rolling out this program across New South Wales as soon as possible. I share the Minister’s frustration that the Federal Government is still evaluating the program and yet have seen to roll it out across Tasmania this year.

Rural health programs that have been tried, tested and found workable should not be held back by elections, they need to happen today!