Cure for doctor crisis
FOREIGN doctors and bonded medical practitioners can now be recruited by GP clinics across Cairns after the city’s classification as a distribution priority area.
The change came about after three clinics applied for an “exceptional circumstances review” in mid-December – the first time any clinic in the region has made the application.
An independent medical board assessed the applications late last month and has now found two of the applications held merit.
It would only have taken one successful application for the entire Cairns catchment to be declared a distribution priority area, which came into effect at midnight.
“This change gives local GP practices a larger pool of doctors to recruit from, which should make it easier for local clinics to secure more doctors,” Leichhardt
MP Warren Entsch said. “Furthermore, students who have accepted a Commonwealth supported place in an Australian medical course, in return for a commitment to work in a regional, rural and remote area at the end of their studies, must also work in a distribution priority area.
“Having enough doctors is fundamental to any community and that’s even more true when you live or work in a regional city like Cairns.”
Labor candidate for Leichhardt Elida Faith has been calling for Cairns to be granted the new status since midDecember – about the same time the clinics lodged their applications.
Mr Entsch said the outcome had been achieved without requiring government intervention into an independent assessment process. He also rejected the idea that Cairns had a problem attracting doctors, but said some clinics were enforcing KPIs that led to severe burnout among staff.
“Who wouldn’t want to live, work and raise a family in our amazing neck of the woods?” he said.
“But there is absolutely no doubt certain practices and clinics have a big issue in retaining them.
“This is due to a number of factors but is mainly due to the employment conditions and practices at certain clinics who promise the world but rarely deliver.”