The acute GP shortage across Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area will now be subject to a Senate Inquiry.

Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann said Labor called for the inquiry in a bid to investigate the critical lack of doctors across outer metropolitan, rural and regional Australia.

“This is really great news for people across Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area,” Mr Neumann said.

“Our primary health network is in crisis.

“Too many people are being forced to wait weeks to see a GP – if they can see a GP at all. And the problem is only getting worse.

“COVID-19 has highlighted the holes and gaps in our health care system, and none are more obvious than the shortage of GPs and other health services across this region, particularly in the rural and outer metropolitan areas.

“But this issue isn’t new; people living in Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area have been battling a critical lack of GPs for far too long.

“Local GPs have been telling me for the past few years that the Morrison Government’s changes to the classification system and Medicare rebate freeze have made it much harder to get new GPs to their practices.

“This inquiry will investigate why our region is particularly affected by a lack of GPs and should come up with practical solutions to fix it.

“This needs to be more than another box ticking exercise. Our communities are seeking firm action and a commitment to solutions.”

The Senate Inquiry will examine the Government’s current classification system, the stronger Rural Health Strategy, GP training reforms, and the effects of the Medicare rebate freeze.

The Inquiry will also assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on doctor shortages in outer metropolitan, rural, and regional Australia. 

“I want to thank the local GPs who have been working tirelessly to support our communities and who also took time to meet with me and outline the issues affecting their practices and raise their concerns.

I encourage them and their patients to make submissions.”

You can make a submission to the inquiry here:

https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/OnlineSubmission