An open door for more GPs
DOCTORS clinics in underserviced areas of Geelong will find it easier to recruit overseas-trained GPs after changes were introduced to the District Workforce Shortage system.
The classification change has seen Lara, Corio, Norlane, Newcomb, Whittington, Leopold and Moolap join the list of regions with below average access to GPs.
Barwon Medicare Local chief executive Jason Trethowan said the number of GPs operating across Geelong, had increased in recent years but some regions were still missing out.
The new classification will make it easier for clinics in those areas to attract doctors, including easing visa restrictions for overseas-trained doctors.
“What this change to recruitment incentives actually recognises is there are parts of our community that have less access to GP services,” Mr Trethowan said.
“These areas are able to bypass some of the restrictions that were in place to attract other doctors and that’s typically overseas-trained doctors.”
Mr Trethowan welcomed the changes and said it “just makes sense”.
But he said he was concerned Colac was not on the list as many of GPs also work in the local hospital.
“That would be the only anomaly,” he said.
Mr Trethowan said it was important people could access health services close to their home and hoped the change would reduce GP waiting times in needy areas.