A third of Vic rural doctors plan to leave in five years

MORE than a third of rural doctors in Victoria are set to leave their posts within five years, according to a recent survey by AMA Victoria.

The survey of 233 rural doctors found 37% planned to leave rural practice in five years, 29% planned to leave in 5-10 years, while 34% planned to remain for 10 years or more.

AMA Victoria president Dr Harry Hemley said the prospect of losing more than a third of the state’s rural workforce in such a short time was very concerning.

“We knew we would lose a substantial number of doctors to retirement over the next five years, but many more doctors are ready to abandon rural practice because they are burnt out,” Dr Hemley said.

“Rural doctors are overwhelmed with pressures beyond running their own general practice clinics.”

He called on the state government to assist rural doctors by putting in place a rural rescue package as proposed by AMA Victoria.

The $94.6 million package includes a range of incentives for doctors to relocate to rural areas and proposes rewards for long-term contribution to communities.