Doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals in Northern Victoria will be offered incentives of up to $10,000 to take up critical jobs in rural and regional Victoria under a new plan from the Nationals.
The Nationals and Liberals in government will invest $40 million over four years to establish a Victorian Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, helping hospitals such as Cobram District Hospital, Nathalia District Hospital and Kerang District Hospital attract and retain essential healthcare workers.
Under the scheme, eligible health professionals who take up hard-to-fill regional positions will receive support for relocation, accommodation and professional development.
Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said workforce shortages continue to place significant pressure on regional hospitals and communities.
“Across Northern Victoria, healthcare services are struggling to recruit and retain staff, leaving local families waiting longer for the care they need,” Ms Broad said.
“Regional hospitals are doing an incredible job, but they need the workforce to match community demand. This scheme will help attract skilled professionals to our region and support them to stay.
“People in regional Victoria deserve access to quality healthcare close to home. This practical initiative will strengthen local health services and ensure communities receive the care they need when they need it.”
The incentive program will be modelled on a successful NSW scheme and targeted to areas experiencing the most severe workforce shortages. It will also address one of the biggest barriers to regional recruitment, incorporating accommodation for health workers into new regional hospital developments including Mildura.
Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Emma Kealy said the initiative would play a big part in addressing key concerns in regional healthcare.
“This is a great chance for some of Victoria’s best and brightest health professionals to get ahead by setting themselves up in regional Victoria,” Ms Kealy said.
“Regional Victorians are crying out for a fair share and deserve to have the same mental health resources available to those living in metropolitan areas.”
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
