Regional communities could see improved access to healthcare under a new proposal aimed at boosting rural GP services.
The Royal Australian College of GPs has put forward a Pathways to Rural program, which would pay city‑based doctors to work in regional communities.
Under the proposal, participating doctors would spend four weeks each year working in country clinics, helping to address staff shortages.
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The program is designed to reduce reliance on costly locum doctors, while also easing burnout among existing staff and improving continuity of care for patients.
The Royal Australian College of GPs says the program would cost less than $3 million a year to operate and could help improve long‑term access to GP care in rural and regional areas.
