JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
GP clinics in Cessnock, Singleton, Morisset-Cooranbong and Maitland Local Government areas will be able to continue to recruit overseas trained doctors and bonded medical practitioners under an extended Distribution Priority Area Status if the Liberals and Nationals are returned to Government.
Senator for New South Wales, Perin Davey, said the regions were granted DPA status under an exceptional circumstances review but it was due to expire at the end of June.
“The DPA review gave local GP practices a larger pool of doctors to recruit from – but only a very short period of time to recruit them in,” Senator Davey said.
“This announcement means practices in the Cessnock, Singleton, Morisset-Cooranbong, and Maitland areas don’t have to apply for review again with the DPA classification automatically rolled over for 12 months from 1 July 2022 if the Coalition is returned to Government.
“The region saw its DPA classification awarded after several medical practices in this area indicated they had been hit by sudden and unexpected changes and unmet demand during the pandemic period and had found it especially difficult to recruit doctors to the area.”
The Nationals Candidate for Hunter, James Thomson, welcomed the announcement saying it gave GP clinics in the region more certainty to recruit.
“Having enough doctors is fundamental to any community and that’s even more true when you live or work in regional areas like Cessnock, Singleton and Morisset-Cooranbong” Mr Thomson said.
“For people of all ages, from babies to the elderly, being able to see a doctor when you need to is vital for personal as well as a community’s health and wellbeing.”
The DPA indicator is one of many initiatives the Liberal and National Government will implement to address the maldistribution of the medical workforce and encourage doctors under location restrictions to work in regional, rural and remote communities.
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