More doctors in outer city suburbs
Patients living in outer city suburbs are benefiting from an Australian Government program that has encouraged doctors to move to under-serviced outer urban areas.
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Previous Ministers20 May 2004
ABB065/04
More doctors in outer city suburbs
Patients living in outer city suburbs are benefiting from an Australian Government program that has encouraged doctors to move to under-serviced outer urban areas.The Government's More Doctors for Outer Metropolitan Areas Measure has helped over 160 GPs and specialists relocate to outer urban areas where there are doctor shortages. Many of these areas are fast growing suburbs that will now have more doctors and specialist services.
The program, which began in January 2003, originally aimed to attract 150 doctors over four years. However, by the start of this month, over 160 doctors had agreed to relocate to, or increase their hours of work in, outer urban communities with doctor shortages.
The program offers relocation grants of up to $30,000 to GPs and specialists who establish a new practice in eligible areas and up to $20,000 to those who join an existing practice in an area of doctor shortage. Most doctors receiving the grants are moving from inner suburbs that are well serviced by doctors.
The incentive grant was due to cease at the end of 2003, but due to the outstanding success of the program, the government recently announced the program would be extended until the end of 2004. This has given many doctors who were considering relocating, more time to take up the offer.
Due to the continuing success of the program, it will now be expanded to include new suburbs in the south and west of Sydney. These include Riverstone, Schofields, Quakers Hill, Parklea, Marayong and Kings Langley in the west; and Menai, Sutherland, Woronora, Engadine, Jannali, Kareela, Alfords Point, Bangor, Barden Ridge, Bonnet Bay, Como, Heathcote, Illawong, Loftus, Oyster Bay, Yarrawarrah, Grays Point and Loftus in the south.
The Government is determined to ensure that all Australians have good access to affordable medical services through Medicare. The success of this program shows that its strategy is already making a practical difference to outer urban residents who need to see a doctor.
More information on other suburbs recently included under the More Doctors for Outer Metropolitan Areas Measure and the incentives available under the measure is available from the Department of Health and Ageing's Outer Metropolitan Hotline on 1800 727 899 or by visiting the web site at www.health.gov.au/workforce
For more information call Mr Abbott's office on ph 02 6277 7220.
Attachment
Suburb | Number of doctors* |
| ACT | |
| Greenway | 1 |
| NSW | |
| Hamlyn Terrace | 1 |
| Berkeley Vale | 1 |
| Wyong | 2 |
| Ourimbah | 1 |
| Tahmoor | 1 |
| The Oaks | 1 |
| Bringelly | 1 |
| Richmond | 1 |
| Leura | 1 |
| Winmalee | 2 |
| North Richmond | 2 |
| South Windsor | 1 |
| Wentworth Falls | 1 |
| Pitt Town | 1 |
| Windsor | 1 |
| Hazelbrook | 1 |
| Baulkham Hills | 1 |
| Toukley | 1 |
| Hoxton Park | 1 |
| Prestons | 1 |
| Cecil Hills | 1 |
| QLD | |
| Thornlands | 1 |
| Cleveland | 1 |
| Strathpine | 5 |
| Petrie | 1 |
| Warner | 9 |
| Bray Park | 1 |
| Ferny Hills | 1 |
| Everton Hills | 1 |
| Everton Park | 1 |
| Narangba | 1 |
| Morayfield | 1 |
| Deception Bay | 1 |
| Bellara | 1 |
| Underwood | 1 |
| Springfield | 1 |
| Booval | 1 |
| Burpengary | 1 |
| Mango Hill | 2 |
| Deception Bay | 1 |
| Bald Hills | 2 |
| Narangba | 1 |
| Hillcrest | 2 |
| Browns Plains | 1 |
| Slacks Creek | 1 |
| Belbowrie | 1 |
| Location currently being finalised | 3 |
| SA | |
| Craigmore | 2 |
| Blakeview | 1 |
| Hackham | 1 |
| Seaford | 1 |
| Pooraka | 4 |
| Bridgewater | 1 |
| Athelstone | 1 |
| Gawler | 1 |
| TAS | |
| Kingston | 1 |
| Claremont | 1 |
| Kingston Beach | 2 |
| Sorell | 1 |
| New Norfolk | 1 |
| VIC | |
| Caroline Springs | 3 |
| Sunbury | 7 |
| Melton | 1 |
| Burnside | 1 |
| Roxburgh park | 1 |
| Emerald | 1 |
| Coldstream | 1 |
| Mooroolbark | 1 |
| Little River | 1 |
| Mornington | 2 |
| Rosebud | 2 |
| Somerville | 2 |
| Sorrento | 1 |
| Pearcedale | 1 |
| Rosebud West | 1 |
| Red Hill South | 1 |
| Hampton Park | 1 |
| Research | 1 |
| Caroline Springs | 1 |
| Berwick | 8 |
| Pakenham | 1 |
| Werribee | 1 |
| Laverton | 1 |
| Point Cook | 3 |
| Altona | 1 |
| Hoppers Crossing | 1 |
| Altona Meadows | 1 |
| Woori Yallock | 1 |
| Healesville | 1 |
| Yarr Junction | 1 |
| Warrandyte | 1 |
| Bundora | 1 |
| Mill Park | 1 |
| Location currently being finalised | 1 |
| WA | |
| Rockingham | 2 |
| Warnbro | 1 |
| Parmelia | 1 |
| Port Kennedy | 1 |
| Canning Vale | 4 |
| Huntingdale | 1 |
| Atwell | 2 |
| Midland | 1 |
| Beldon | 1 |
| Ocean Reef | 2 |
| Quinns Rocks | 1 |
| Beechboro | 2 |
| Lockridge | 1 |
| Bentley | 1 |
| Langford | 1 |
*NB This number includes doctors who have jointed the program since January 2003 and who have either:
- relocated to the suburb; or
- agreed to relocate and will finalise their relocation within the next three months; or
- significantly increase their hours of practice in the suburb.