A round table forum in Nhill has identified new ways to combat workforce and health service challenges.

The Rural Workforce Agency Victoria, RWAV, facilitated the round table discussions between Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria, Hindmarsh Shire Council, West Wimmera Health Service, Rural Doctors Nhill Medical Centre, Alliance Pharmacy Nhill, Nhill Neighbourhood Learning Centre and the Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative.

The workshop came in response to the difficulties faced in recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals in rural areas, with challenges including limited access to housing, childcare and supervision.

In addition, the freeze on Medicare Benefits Schedule, MBS, has changed income for doctors, while access to psychologists and psychiatrists is at critical levels and wait times for geriatricians are lengthy.

The round table identified a significant need in Nhill for an increased full-time equivalent for many healthcare disciplines, particularly GPs, psychologists, psychiatrists, geriatricians and allied health professionals.

West Wimmera Health Service executive director of quality and safety Darren Welsh said there were multiple challenges facing health services in attaining and retaining staff.

“Workforce challenges exist across a number of areas at West Wimmera Health Service including allied health, occupational therapy and podiatry especially, registered and enrolled nurses and now in the hospitality and environmental services space,” he said.

“Rental accommodation availability continues to be a challenge facing the service.”

Mr Welsh said other challenges were attracting staff in an environment where there are health care professional vacancies across Victoria and securing jobs and education opportunities for families of health care professionals when they move to the area.

He said recruiting to smaller sites across a large geographical area was also a challenge.

Mr Welsh said the primary purpose of the round table was to explore the current situation regarding recruitment and retention of medical and allied health professionals in the primary care space and ways that RWAV could assist.

“West Wimmera Health Service and Hindmarsh shire will collaborate on a community campaign to entice future healthcare workers to the area,” he said.

Mr Welsh said other solutions included exploring possible opportunities for new services to be provided by the Royal Flying Doctor Service and locum medical services that can be provided with the assistance of RWAV.

He said the health service would begin to provide facilitated health assessment appointments for the region’s Karen community, with an initial assessment conducted by a registered nurse and interpreter followed by a doctor appointment.

RWAV partners with health services, practices and the community to design solutions to attract a workforce to meet needs in rural Victoria.

It will review solutions and actions in three months and discuss them with stakeholders.

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