THE HON. MARK BUTLER MP
MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGED CARE
THE HON. EMMA MCBRIDE MP
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR RURAL AND REGIONAL HEALTH
LIBBY COKER MP
MEMBER FOR CORANGAMITE
The Albanese Government has acted to make it easier for people in Corangamite to see a doctor in their community.
The Government is delivering on its election commitment to better support communities across the country where there is a GP shortfall, such as in Corangamite, meaning local practices will now be able to recruit from a much bigger pool of doctors.
Updating the Distribution Priority Areas (DPA) will see more than 700 areas with either full or partial DPA classification across Australia.
This is a result of the Albanese Government’s election commitment to provide automatic DPA classification to regional centres as classified as Modified Monash (MM) 2, as well as maintaining exceptional circumstances DPA classifications.
Because international medical graduates and overseas trained doctors are only able to access Medicare if they work in a DPA area, a DPA classification means practices in DPA areas have access to more doctors who can work for the local community.
All 707 areas in need across the country, including Corangamite, will have priority access to this pool.
Within Corangamite the update will mean DPA status applies to Bannockburn, Torquay, Ocean Grove and other areas of the Bellarine.
In adjoining electorates, DPA status will apply to areas including Winchelsea (electorate of Wannon) and Lara (electorate of Corio).
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, said: “Delivering on this election promise means thousands of Australians who live outside our capital cities will be more easily able to see a GP when they need to. This was a simple change to help these areas that the previous Government refused to make.”
Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, Emma McBride, said: “As a pharmacist of 20 years and a local MP, I know the importance of quality health care close to home.
“I look forward to continuing my work with GPs, training colleges, medical schools, and the states and territories to find ongoing solutions to the health challenges in their communities.”
Local Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker MP said: “This latest update of GP services is great news for the people of Corangamite.
“I see first-hand the impact that a lack of GP services has on our community. I’ve met with a number of local GPs and their practice managers who have identified a shortage of GPs as a real issue impacting wait times and delivery of care.
“Under this initiative, they will now have access to a broader pool of available GPs, which means improved access to quality care for the people of Corangmaite,” Ms Coker said.
The Albanese Government will continue to support and encourage GPs to work in communities in need and provide regional and rural Australians with access to the health care they need.
The DPA changes take effect from today.
