Our local GPs and health workers do an amazing job but we need to support them more. The Gilmore electorate has been battling a critical lack of GPs for far too long, resulting in the closure of some practices, a blowout in waiting times to see a GP and many practices closing their books to new patients.
For your information, this shortage of general practitioners, has actually become the subject of a Senate Inquiry. The Morrison Government was not interested in voting for this inquiry. However, I am pleased to say that Labor, along with several crossbench Senators, have successfully established this inquiry.
We need practical, positive solutions to make sure Australians have access to quality health care regardless of where they live. Under the Morrison Government’s current system, most of the NSW South Coast is classified as a “non-Distribution Priority Area” (DPA), which is why it’s difficult for local practices to access GPs.
The Senate Inquiry will specifically examine reforms made to the DPA classification system and GP training.
At a time when our community is in lockdown, it’s more important than ever to have access to GPs - which is why this inquiry is so important.
I am making a submission to the inquiry on our community's behalf. You can help by sharing your story about how GP shortages have impacted you and your family by completing my survey by clicking HERE.
You can also make your own submission to the inquiry by clicking HERE.
I recently spoke in Parliament about the urgent need for more GPs in our community, you can watch my speech HERE. I have also met with local GPs to discuss these issues and have raised these concerns directly with the Minister for Health, the Minister for Regional Health, the Shadow Health Minister and the NSW Rural Doctors Network.
 Pictured with Annette Pham and team members from the Shoalhaven Family Medical Centre, Worrigee
Yours sincerely
Fiona Phillips MP
Member for Gilmore
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