ACRRM calls for urgent investment in rural general practice

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) is urging political parties and candidates to outline how their federal election strategy will restore the value proposition of rural general practice.

The College says targeted investments are needed in a range of areas to stem the loss of healthcare staff and resources across rural and remote Australia.

ACRRM President Dr Sarah Chalmers says the current rural workforce maldistribution reflects systemic failure over many years to build the value proposition for rural practice as a well remunerated, supported, and reliable long-term career path.

“In rural and remote areas, the challenges and costs of operating a private practice are much higher, including in areas such as staff recruitment and training, locum support, infrastructure costs and return on investment,” Dr Chalmers says.

“Rural areas often have a low socio-economic profile and rely heavily on bulk billing, which is often not sufficient to sustain rural and remote general practices.

“This means that the Practice Incentive Program rural loading and other incentives and supports are viewed as critical to practice viability.

“It is vital there is a review of existing funding models and the introduction of additional funding mechanisms within and outside Medicare, to better remunerate rural and remote practice.”

“ACRRM supports the principle of blended funding models and a diversity of potential funding sources to strengthen the viability and resilience of rural practice business models.

“ACRRM also acknowledges the need for innovative funding models which promote interest in rural general practice as a career path.

“Failure to address this issue is adding to the dwindling numbers of graduates choosing to commit to general practice over the long term.

“We need short and long-term strategies to tackle workforce issues and provide rural and remote communities with the healthcare they need and deserve.

“As a College, we are best placed to work with key government, community, and industry stakeholders to secure strong and sustainable rural and remote healthcare services.

“We will continue to advocate for our members and for the rural and remote, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people they serve.”

ENDS

To view ACRRM’s election priorities, visit our Advocacy page.

For further information, please contact communications manager Petrina Smith at p.smith@acrrm.org.au, 0414 820 847 or 1800 223 226.

ABOUT ACRRM

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine is the only College in Australia entirely dedicated to training and supporting rural General Practitioners to serve rural and remote communities.

Our vision is to have the right doctors, in the right places, with the right skills, providing rural and remote people with excellent health care.

For more information, visit acrrm.org.au.