THE Wimmera’s difficulties in attracting and retaining doctors are not new.
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The Mail-Times has been reporting on the issue since it first started to gain state attention in February last year, when Member for Lowan Emma Kealy spoke about it in parliament.
Keep up to date with the latest coverage as we bring you special reports of how the region’s practices and health services are dealing with the challenges they face.
February 28, 2018
Greater doctor options for Horsham, Stawell
February 22, 2018
Tangible health outcomes are what we need | Editorial
Health Minister Greg Hunt seemed to pack a lot into his visit to the Wimmera, writes senior journalist Carly Werner.
Health minister pledges support for region | Videos
A rural health workforce package is the top health priority for this year’s federal budget.
Leaders pleased with health discussions
Wimmera Health Care Group chief executive Catherine Morley was among the health leaders who had time with Minister Greg Hunt when he toured the region.
February 15, 2018
Lister House secures doctors
A Horsham clinic will welcome three new doctors, who will stay at the practice for 12 months.
Wimmera health services welcome national framework
“This announcement confirms that our voice as a region is being heard,” says West Wimmera Health Service acting chief executive Ritchie Dodds.
February 14, 2018
Landmark agreement aims to increase regional doctor numbers
Two Australian colleges will build a framework for a rural generalist pathway for doctors.
February 7, 2018
Rural Northwest Health works to attract skilled professionals
Health staff recruitment a statewide issue
Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital is looking for a new general practitioner to replace a retiring doctor.
January 31, 2018
Health Minister’s visit date confirmed
January 25, 2018
Health interns thrive on extra experiences
Wimmera Health Care Group medical workforce manager Deidre Rennick goes to great lengths to ensure interns enjoy their time in the Wimmera – and consider coming back.
January 17, 2018
Balance the lure for Andrew | Photos, Video
Horsham podiatrist Andrew Devereaux believes balance and diversity are key in attracting people to live and work in rural areas.
Doctor on the way for Kaniva, Goroke
January 12, 2018
Multiple West Wimmera towns without doctors
Tristar Medical Group and West Wimmera Health Service are working to fill general practitioner vacancies in Kaniva, Goroke, Rainbow and Jeparit.
Vacancy leaves Kaniva resident worried for future
Kaniva’s Narelle Maddern is concerned people will leave the town if its doctor vacancy is not filled.
January 11, 2018
An Ararat practice manager has warned the rural city’s hospital will become a nursing home if Ararat cannot attract doctors.
Ararat Medical Centre has two procedural GP vacancies, which it has been trying to fill for more than two years.
A new Australian Medical Association plan includes a requirement that at least a third of all new medical students should be from rural backgrounds.
Senior journalist Carly Werner writes about the issues the region is facing, and the need for short-term solutions rather than only long-term options.
January 10, 2018
“Our accreditation allows us to assist in the training of overseas-trained doctors or international medical graduates to be excellent Australian doctors, but the current zoning excludes us from recruiting many prospective applicants,” reports Stawell Medical Centre manager Kim Hinkley.
Stawell’s Patrick Street Family Practice has called on governments to act after a zoning change meant one of its doctors needed to move.
The practice’s only female doctor left last year because of the zoning change.
December 13, 2017
Member for Mallee Andrew Broad confirms Australia’s assistant health minister David Gillespie will visit in January to discuss doctor shortages.
Mr Broad said there were no easy answers, but a variety of pathways to address the issue.
“I think the revolving door of doctors will always be there, because you’re talking about professional people,” he said.
September 21, 2017
I have had to take my children to accident and emergency twice for something that should have just been a GP visit, which isn't fair on the emergency staff. But this is what it is coming to.
- Tamlyn Janetzki
Member for Mallee Andrew Broad has some questions about the federal government’s District of Workforce Shortage measurement.
“Our regional towns aren’t one size fits all and it’s time regional Australians received the health services they so desperately need.”
- Andrew Broad
Wimmera Mail-Times editor Jessica Grimble dissects the doctor shortage issue, and what can be done to address it.
September 18, 2017
Lister House Medical Clinic lost several doctors for various reasons earlier this year, halving its appointments capacity.
The clinic’s nurse manager Amanda Wilson talks us through the consequences for staff and patients.
August 3, 2017
The doctor shortage was on the agenda at the Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Assembly.
Horsham’s Lister House Clinic’s Amanda Wilson travelled to Canberra to tell politicians about the situation in the region.
“The trip was absolutely worthwhile – I felt listened to,” she said.
“I wasn’t there just for the Wimmera, but about doctor issues in all rural areas.”
February 27, 2017
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy raised concerns in state parliament about nine doctors leaving Horsham between late 2016 and February, resulting in patients waiting for up to a month for a routine medical appointment.