Doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals will be offered incentives of up to $10,000 to take up critical jobs in regional areas like Gippsland under a new plan from The Nationals.
In government, The Nationals will invest $40 million over four years to establish a Victorian Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, helping regional hospitals like Central Gippsland Health, Gippsland Southern Health Service, South Gippsland Hospital and Yarram and District Health Service attract and retain the health workers they desperately need.
Under the scheme, eligible health workers who take up hard-to-fill regional positions will receive support packages worth up to $10,000, including assistance with relocation, accommodation and professional development.
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, said local communities had felt the impact of health workforce shortages for too long.
“Right across Gippsland, people are finding it harder to access the healthcare they need because hospitals and health services are struggling to fill vacancies.
“When key positions can’t be filled, it often means services are reduced and patients are forced to travel to Melbourne or larger regional centres for care they should be able to access locally.
“We know our local hospitals provide excellent care, but they need more staff to deliver those services and keep up with growing demand.
“This scheme will help attract more doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals to our region and make it easier for health workers to build their careers in regional Victoria.”
Mr O’Brien said the scheme would be based on a successful New South Wales program and targeted to communities experiencing the most severe workforce shortages.
“More health workers means fewer vacancies, shorter waiting times and better access to healthcare closer to home for Gippsland families.
“Only The Nationals in government will ensure Gippslanders get their fair share and have access to quality healthcare closer to home.”