HUNTER MP Joel Fitzgibbon has raised local hopes that a state government program might circumvent a federal government policy that has left Wangi Wangi without a doctor.
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Southlakes Medical Group closed its general practice surgery in French Road in August.
Medical group owner Dr Vinh Dao said he was forced to close the surgery when Dr Kai Zhang, an overseas-trained doctor who had been practicing at Wangi Wangi, faced the expiration of his Medicare provider number.
In order to have his provider number extended, Dr Zhang was required after two years to practice in a rural or remote area of Australia where there was an acute shortage of doctors.
Dr Dao said the federal policy had cost Southlakes Medical Group five GPs that it had trained and mentored.
He called for the policy to be overhauled.
More than 60 concerned Wangi Wangi residents attended a meeting with Mr Fitzgibbon outside the French Road surgery in August to discuss possible solutions.
“Since our public meeting held at the end of August I have been working with Hunter Primary Care to investigate health care options in Wangi Wangi following the closure of Southlakes Medical Group surgery,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
“It has become clear that there is no chance Wangi Wangi meets the criteria as an ‘Area of Need’ under the Commonwealth assistance arrangements.”
Eligible towns under that Commonwealth program were “substantially more rural” than Wangi Wangi, Mr Fitzgibbon said.
“However, there is scope to secure assistance under the NSW Government’s District of Workforce Shortage program.”
The state program is not geographically based. Instead, it takes into account the number of residents in need of GP services and the number of GPs available in any given district.
“We have asked Southlakes Medical Group to make application to the NSW Department of Health for consideration as a District of Workforce Shortage,” he said.
“Hunter Primary Care has agreed to support the application as have both I and other local political representatives.”
Mr Fitzgibbon said he would “remain engaged” in the important community issue.
