With yet more evidence that rural health is in full-blown cardiac arrest, next week’s Budget must include real measures to get more doctors and other health professionals to the bush, the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) has warned.
The Federal Government’s own Rural Health Workforce Audit has confirmed the situation.
“The results of the audit were much worse than even we had expected,” RDAA president, Dr Peter Rischbieth, said.
“They provide yet more evidence of the chronic shortage of doctors and other health professionals across rural and remote Australia.
"The audit demonstrate just how much urgent work needs to be done in combatting this crisis.
“While we can understand the Rudd Government might want to take some time in further assessing the rural health workforce crisis before forming an action plan, there is simply not the luxury of time available.
"After years of reviews, now is the time for action.
“Waiting until next year’s Budget before implementing any meaningful package to turn the rural health workforce crisis around will only see more doctors leaving the bush because of burnout or retirement, and more young medical graduates choosing the path to city-based specialist practice rather than rural medicine.
"It will also risk more small rural hospitals being downgraded or closed because state governments can use the excuse that there are not enough doctors and other health professionals to staff them."
“One of the most critical items we need in next week’s Budget is a Rural Rescue Package to entice more doctors to rural and remote Australia.
"Put forward last year by RDAA and the AMA, this cost-effective package has attracted significant support from many quarters."
SOURCE: National rural news from FarmOnline
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