Strengthening Medicare with more local GPs
Morrison Government changes have left local GP clinics struggling to find doctors. Peta has been working to fix this, including by successfully campaigning for a Senate Inquiry to come to Frankston to listen to GP clinics from across our community.
The Inquiry heard that too many locals can’t get in to see a doctor when they need one, clinics have reduced operating hours, and there’s more pressure on Frankston Hospital’s Emergency Department.
Peta Murphy MP and an Albanese Labor Government will strengthen Medicare and change the law to get more doctors into our community.
MARK BUTLER MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGEING
MEMBER FOR HINDMARSH
PETA MURPHY MP
MEMBER FOR DUNKLEY
LABOR WILL FIX THE FRANKSTON AREA GP SHORTAGE CRISIS
An Albanese Labor Government will act on the GP shortage crisis in the Frankston catchment by making the region a Distribution Priority Area (DPA), providing the whole region with access to the Bonded Medical Program and overseas trained doctors.
This announcement will apply to clinics in the Frankston local government area.
For too long the Morrison government has neglected calls for assistance from local GP clinics in the Frankston catchment who have been experiencing significant difficulties finding and retaining doctors.
The Liberal Government removed the Designated Workforce Shortage (DWS) status for the Frankston catchment, which has had devastating impacts on local clinics.
This reclassification came on top of the Liberal Government’s decisions to cut the bulk-billing incentive payment to local GPs and freeze GPs pay for six years.
All of this has meant it’s never been harder or more expensive for people in the Frankston area to see their doctor.
Local communities have long known there is a GP crisis across the Frankston area, with wait time to see doctors ever increasing and pressure mounting on clinics.
The Morrison Government has spent years denying the crisis they helped create and has done nothing to resolve it.
Labor initiated the Senate Inquiry into GP shortages and while it is ongoing, evidence presented makes it perfectly clear there is a chronic and severe GP shortage in the Frankston catchment.
Witnesses from several local clinics gave compelling evidence at the recent public hearing in Frankston regarding their ongoing struggles with finding and retaining doctors.
Total Care Medical in Frankston currently has one full time doctor servicing an active patient load of approximately 6000 patients.
Langwarrin Medical Centre went from nine GPs down to three GPs over a three-week period.
St Mary 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.
After multiple letters from the Member for Dunkley and local clinics to the Minister for Health, pleas to act have fallen on deaf ears.
Labor has listened to doctors and the Dunkley community.
Only Labor can be trusted to protect and strengthen Medicare and to end the GP crisis in the Frankston catchment.
WEDNESDAY, 16 MARCH 2022
MEDIA CONTACTS:
LUCY CARUSO (BUTLER) 0408 803 428
LAUREN JOHNSON (MURPHY) 0423 322 305
Authorised by Paul Erickson, ALP, Canberra
