SHORTAGES of rural doctors and other health professionals will be alleviated, in part, in seven rural and remote communities in NSW.
Federal Assistant Health Minister Fiona Nash said in recognition of the doctor shortages in rural and remote areas of NSW, the Commonwealth government, in agreement with the State government, granted a special exemption that allowed seven more hospitals and health services to engage rural doctors and other health professionals, and bulk bill Medicare for the cost.
Residents will have better access to health care and improved services at Coolamon Multipurpose Service; Culcairn Multipurpose Service; Dungog Community Hospital; Gundagai Health (Multipurpose) Service; Hillston Hospital and Health Service; Jerilderie Hospital and Health Service, Wilson Memorial Hospital Murrurundi and Murrurundi Community Health Centre.
"These services provided in the public health sector do not normally attract a Medicare subsidy and the cost is borne by the local health services," Senator Nash said.
"This important initiative supports small public hospitals and health services to attract and retain health professionals, while ensuring patients are able to access primary health care services locally, including after hours."
Rural Doctors Association of NSW secretary and Gundagai doctor Paul Mara praised Senator Nash for broadening the initiative.
He said patients attending small hospital outpatient departments would be bulk billed and the funds generated would be used locally to help build workforce capacity and improve primary health care services.
"This scheme has been supported by the Rural Doctors Association of NSW for many years," he said.
"It has been rolled out successfully in other States but for some reason it has not gained traction in NSW.
"Applications from many Riverina communities have been lost in the system until Senator Nash became personally involved."
Funds would be retained and managed locally to meet local needs, he said.
They could be used to support medical workforce and build capacity within practices and small rural hospitals so that services such as after hours care can be improved.
Other potential areas are to provide support for increased community-based allied health services.
Dr Mara said rural doctors wanted to work with Senator Nash to resolve other problems affecting recruitment and retention issues, such as the unintended consequences of the removal at the end of this year of the Prevocational General Practice Placement program, an initiative that had a positive impact in exposing younger doctors to the benefits of rural and remote practice.
Senator Nash said 11 NSW hospitals and health services were now among 53 Australia-wide which could now bulk bill for important primary health care services.
"For a hospital or health service to be eligible, local GPs and GP groups must support the exemption application," she said.
"Communities must also have a shortage of GPs and be in a rural or remote area with a population of less than 7000."
The State government implements the initiative.
