PETA MURPHY MP
MEMBER FOR DUNKLEY

GP SHORTAGE IMPACTING LOCAL HEALTHCARE

Changes to legislation by the Federal Liberal Government have left many outer suburbs, including South-East Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula, with a critical lack of GPs.

The Senate Inquiry into GP Shortages on Monday held a public hearing in Frankston and heard from local GPs and clinics about the impacts on local healthcare.

The shortage is increasing patient wait times, reducing clinic operating hours and putting extra pressure and demand on local hospitals, including emergency departments.

• Total Care Medical Centre in Frankston told the Inquiry that their GP Dr John Chung, 75 years old, recently came out of retirement due to the shortages. The clinic has an active patient load of 6,000 people for one full time GP.

• Lucina, from Total Care Medical Centre asked the Inquiry how we let it get to this stage where, by the year 2030 Australia will be short 10,000 doctors

• MyHealth Bayside in Frankston originally had up to six full-time doctors, now they only have two. Because of this, the current wait time for a consultation is two weeks

• St Mary’s Medical Centre in Carrum Downs have needed to reduce their after-hours services – turning people away, sometimes to Frankston Hospital

• Hall Road Medical Clinic told the Inquiry that they get calls from locals who say they cannot get an appointment in Carrum Downs and they’ve tried five different clinics.

Local practices identified the Federal Government’s change to the Distribution Priority Area Indicator as a major barrier to recruiting more doctors.

These are trusted medical professionals who see first-hand how GP shortages are affecting Australians, local practices, and communities.

The Federal Government must put measures in place to ensure all Australians have quick and easy access to healthcare in their own communities.

Labor was successful in calling for this Senate Inquiry to examine the shortage of GPs in outer metro, regional and rural Australia.

Labor will always fight to defend and strengthen Medicare, and to make sure all Australians have access to a doctor.

DATE: WEDNESDAY 9 MARCH 2022

MEDIA CONTACT:

DYLAN STEED 0400 615 862

Authorised by Paul Erickson, ALP, Canberra