Attracting more doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to East Gippsland and other rural areas will be the focus of a new $40 million regional health workforce package announced by The Nationals.
The Nationals’ candidate for Gippsland East, Gemma Rendell, said the Victorian Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme would provide incentives of up to $10,000 to encourage health professionals to take up hard-to-fill positions in regional communities.
“For East Gippsland, one of our biggest challenges is attracting the skilled health professionals we need and then encouraging them to put down roots and stay,” Ms Rendell said.
“We have terrific health services and dedicated local staff, but workforce shortages place enormous pressure on those already working in the system and can make it harder for local people to access the care they need close to home.
“This initiative is about giving health professionals another reason to seriously consider East Gippsland when deciding where to take the next step in their career.”
Under the scheme, eligible doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals taking up hard-to-fill regional positions will be able to receive packages of up to $10,000, including assistance with relocation, accommodation, and professional development.
Ms Rendell said financial incentives could help get people through the door, but East Gippsland also had something money could not buy – an incredible lifestyle.
“We have the Gippsland Lakes and Ninety Mile Beach, the High Country, great communities and towns, affordable living compared with Melbourne, and an outdoors experience that is incredibly difficult to match.
“We all have a role to play in selling that message.
“Whether you are a health service, council, sporting club, local business, or simply someone who loves living here, we should be telling people that East Gippsland isn’t just a great place to work – it’s a great place to build a life.
“If these incentives can encourage a young doctor, nurse, midwife, or allied health professional to make the move, I am confident our communities and lifestyle can give them plenty of reasons to stay.”
The $40 million scheme will operate over four years and be targeted towards communities and health services experiencing the greatest workforce shortages.
Ms Rendell said Victoria was training increasing numbers of health professionals, but too many remained concentrated in Melbourne while regional hospitals struggled to fill vacancies.
“Every additional doctor, nurse, midwife, or allied health professional we can attract to East Gippsland helps take pressure off our existing workforce and improves access to healthcare for local families.
“The Nationals want to give regional health services the tools to attract people here – and then we as a community can show them why East Gippsland is such a wonderful place to stay.”
