A small rural town in Western Australia, Quairading, is struggling to attract a new doctor to their community. With a population of only 600, the town is feeling the effects of a national GP shortage that is hitting rural and remote areas the hardest.
To entice a new GP, Quairading is offering an attractive package of perks, including a £460,000 salary and a rent-free 4-bedroom house. The local government is also offering additional financial incentives of £6,900 for a two-year commitment and £13,200 for a five-year commitment.
Despite the enticing offer, the town is still struggling to fill the role. This is a common issue in many rural and remote communities across Australia, where the demand for doctors is increasing while the supply of GPs fails to keep up. Between 2009 and 2019, the demand for doctors increased by 58 percent, and the Australian Medical Association predicts that the country will face a shortage of over 10,600 GPs by 2031-32.
The shortage of doctors in rural and remote areas can have devastating consequences for the communities they serve. Without a doctor, the town of Quairading would lose its medical clinic, hospital, and chemist, leading to a decline in the quality of life for its residents.
The local government is determined not to let this happen and will continue their efforts to attract a new GP to their community.
Quairading is located in the Wheatbelt in Noongar Ballardong country and is known for its old hotel, railways, and proximity to the Pink Lake and Mount Stirling.
The town’s charm and natural beauty are not lost on the local government, who are keen to show potential GPs that the town has more to offer than just a lucrative salary and free housing.
The struggle to attract doctors to rural and remote areas is not unique to Australia. It is a global issue that affects many countries, including the United States and Canada. Governments around the world are exploring different strategies to address the shortage of doctors in these areas, such as increasing funding for medical schools, offering financial incentives to medical professionals, and investing in telemedicine.
In the meantime, the people of Quairading and many other rural and remote communities will continue to feel the impact of the GP shortage. The local government in Quairading is determined to do everything in their power to attract a new doctor to their community and ensure that their residents have access to the medical care they need.
