OAKESHOTT INDEPENDENT
WE NEED ROUND TWO FUNDING OF "HEALTH ONE" PROGRAM FOR LAKE CATHIE MEDICAL CENTRE
Independent MP for Port Macquarie, Rob Oakeshott, today called for the State Government to fast-track their Health One funding program to support a new Lake Cathie Medical Centre.
"The ratio of GP's to population in our area is growing, and the Federal Government is continuing to be unwilling to address the inconsistencies in the rural classification that means it is more financially attractive for a GP to move to Coffs Harbour rather than to Wauchope or the Camden Haven, said Mr Oakeshott.
"Whilst this is disappointing, I am pleased to see exemptions being considered for these two particular areas that allow lobbying for GP's to be a bit easier, Mr Oakeshott said.
"Of particular importance is the development of the Lake Cathie Medical Centre, and an application has been put in seeking substantial funding for this important project, Mr Oakeshott said.
"This will have significant benefits for the Lake Cathie community, but it will also ease the pressure on surrounding areas, such as the Camden Haven, where the ratio sits at 1 GP for every 1,490 patients, which is a shortfall of 2.5 full-time GP's.
"The appropriate GP to patient workload as suggested by the Australian Medical Advisory Workforce Committee is 1 GP to every 1077 patients, Mr Oakeshott said.
"I therefore ask the State Minister for Health to fast-track consideration of this funding round so that work can begin on building works, as well as attracting staff to this medical centre in the Lake Cathie community.
"And I also ask the Federal Minister for Health to continue working on an answer to the inequities in the rural classification for GP funding in our area," Mr Oakeshott said today.
3 March 2007