Kimba's Doctor Shortage: Red Tape & Rural Recruitment

0:00It's March 11, here's your Adelaide News in two minutes. A small town in South Australia called Kimba spent $1 million on a brand new medical center two years ago. They also built two rent-free homes for doctors. The goal was to attract a permanent general practitioner to the rural area. But despite all that, they still don't have a full-time doctor living there. The center opened in April 2023, right before an international doctor was supposed to arrive. Instead, the town relies on locom doctors who travel in and out. Mayor Dean Johnson says this set up works okay short-term, but it hurts long-term care since patients have to repeat their histories every visit. Local leaders are frustrated with the lack of doctors in rural spots across the state. Johnson, who just stepped down as head of South Australia's local government association, wants stronger incentives to lower general practitioners, too. The country. He points out that regions like the Air Peninsula are competing hard to make themselves appealing. The big hold-up is red tape for overseas trained doctors.

1:02Kimba has been working with one doctor from South Africa for two and a half years, but approvals are dragging on. The Australian Medical Association in South Australia agrees, calling for fewer bureaucratic hurdles, better relocation support, and more training. Grants. Meanwhile, nearby areas face the same issues, though one town landed an international doctor. A regional health alliance got $1.4 million from the federal government last year to boost recruitment and services. Officials say progress is slow, but they're pushing for faster ways to credential-safe doctors. The Daily News Now is powered by our sponsor, Link in the Description. A pillow that sounds as good as it feels. For listening and bed, S-O-L-I, solelypillo.com.