Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has welcomed a GP-led priority primary care centre in Shepparton but is concerned about how it will be staffed.
The proposed centre, which was announced by the Victorian Government last week, would act as an emergency GP clinic for things such as broken bones to take pressure off emergency clinics.
Ten centres were announced across the state, including in Shepparton at Goulburn Valley Health.
Ms Sheed said staffing of health services was an issue nationwide, but the Goulburn Valley was in an “exceptionally difficult position” when it came to hiring and retaining medical staff.
“The new priority primary care centre will provide our residents with faster care for patients with urgent but non-critical conditions,” Ms Sheed said.
“This will free up hospital resources, so patients with more acute medical needs can be attended to promptly.
“I have campaigned to get this service to help our already stretched hospital, but we have the larger issue of staff shortages in the medical profession.”
Ms Sheed said the issue had become more pronounced during the pandemic, as overseas migration dried up and many people burned out of the industry.
“I have been speaking to many nurses, doctors, surgeons and specialists about this issue and they tell me we need wage and housing incentives for medical staff to move to regional areas such as Shepparton,” she said.
“While the Shepparton district is a wonderful place to live and raise children, renting or buying property here is becoming increasingly difficult and this is a major disadvantage to medical staff moving to the area.
“The Victorian Government will need to find ways to attract and retain medical staff to our district so we can enjoy the full benefits of this new facility we have been granted.”