A new report from the Australian Medical Association (AMA) underscores the challenges facing rural healthcare, with doctors highlighting severe workforce shortages and inadequate resources.
The 2025 Rural Health Issues Survey reveals that 90 per cent of rural doctors consider increased funding, improved staffing levels, and better access to modern facilities and ancillary services as the most critical priorities.
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AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen expressed concern that federal governments have failed to address these longstanding issues.
“Rural and remote communities suffer worse health outcomes than those living in major cities due to historic underinvestment and a lack of attention,” she said.
The survey also revealed that 89.5 per cent of rural doctors believe involving healthcare professionals and communities in policy-making decisions is essential.
Dr McMullen has urged both major political parties to invest in more GP and rural generalist training places during the election campaign.
She said the Coalition’s recent $100 million pledge, which includes funding for a rural, regional and remote health strategy, was a step in the right direction.
“It is pleasing to see rural healthcare feature in this election campaign, and we will ensure these issues don’t ever fall off the radar of the major parties.”
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