By Bridie Byrne
THIRTY-FOUR medical students are being trained to ease the chronic doctor shortage in Wyndham.
The future GPs and specialists from Sydney’s Notre Dame University started their two-year training program at Werribee Mercy Hospital last month.
The talented team will learn the ropes in obstetrics, gynaecology, psychiatry, surgery and paediatrics before undertaking a general practice term in the community.
An $11 million clinical teaching and research facility at the hospital is set to be completed in 2012.
Lalor MP Julia Gillard conducted her own check up last week to see how the students were finding their new headquarters.
“This investment in building up the number of GPs in communities like Wyndham is a vital step in ensuring we get better access to GP services into the future,” she said.
Primary Health Care research shows that the West Gate area has only one GP between 1299 locals.
AMA Victoria’s president Dr Harry Hemley said the lack of doctors was a problem across the state.
“In some areas, it is nearly impossible to get a timely appointment with a chosen GP,” he said.
“Victoria is experiencing the worst doctor shortage the state has ever seen.
“Lack of timely access to a GP can mean chronic conditions go unmanaged and patient outcomes worsen.”
Dr Hemley said in three years the number of medical graduates would double.
“We also need to encourage experienced senior doctors to stay in the health system so that they can teach and supervise the next generation of doctors,” he said.
The Federal Government had announced sweeping reforms to the health system to fund 60 per cent of every public hospital.
This amounts to a $50 billion takeover from the states and territories over the next three years.
The government will also support all out-of-hospital care, including GPs, outpatient and allied health services.
“We only have one chance to get it right so it is important that we build on what works well in the system and make robust changes to the things that don’t,” Dr Hemley said.
