AUSTRALIAN Health Minister Greg Hunt will visit the Wimmera in February.
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Assistant Health Minister David Gillespie was due to visit on January 29, however a cabinet reshuffle means Dr Gillespie is no longer in the role.
Mr Hunt will visit instead, in late February. His itinerary is still being finalised.
The minister will visit to discuss the region’s doctor shortage with various health service representatives.
Member for Mallee Andrew Broad will accompany him.
Mr Broad hopes the federal government will change the region’s classification to a District of Workforce Shortage after Mr Hunt’s visit.
The classification is a measurement the government uses to ensure fair health service distribution across Australia.
Last week, a Stawell medical clinic manager told the Mail-Times the zoning was making it difficult to recruit doctors to fill vacancies.
Stawell Medical Centre practice manager Kim Hinkley said the practice’s accreditation meant it could help train overseas-trained doctors or international medical graduates, but the current zoning excluding them from recruiting many prospective applicants.