DOCTORS, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals could receive incentives of up to $10,000 under a Nationals plan aimed at addressing critical healthcare workforce shortages across regional Victoria.
Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland MP has announced a proposed $40 million investment over four years to establish a Victorian Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme if the party is elected to government.
The scheme would provide eligible healthcare workers with support packages including relocation assistance, accommodation support and professional development opportunities.
Ms Cleeland said the policy would target communities experiencing the greatest workforce pressures, including Benalla, Seymour, Kilmore and Euroa.
She said regional communities had been left with reduced access to healthcare services and were struggling to attract and retain skilled professionals.
“This is what healthcare looks like in regional Victoria under Labor: maternity services slashed in Benalla, maternity services reduced in Kilmore, podiatry at risk in Benalla and extremely limited mental health services across Southern Hume,” Ms Cleeland said.
“In some parts of regional Victoria, people are facing waits of up to two years for allied health services.
“That is not an acceptable standard of healthcare for regional Victorians.”
The proposed scheme would be modelled on a similar program operating in New South Wales, with funding directed towards areas facing the greatest workforce shortages.
Ms Cleeland said regional health services were competing with metropolitan hospitals for healthcare professionals while also facing housing shortages and increasing demand for services.
“If we want doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals to come to regional Victoria, we need to give them a reason to choose our communities and the support to stay,” she said.
The Nationals said the incentives would be designed to encourage healthcare professionals to establish long-term careers in regional communities.
Ms Cleeland also criticised the Victorian Government over changes to healthcare services in regional areas, pointing to maternity services in Benalla and Kilmore, podiatry services in Benalla and mental health access across Southern Hume.
“Regional Victorians deserve better,” she said.
“The Nationals plan will put the people back into our health system, strengthen our regional workforce and make sure families can access the healthcare they need closer to home.”
