New residents face doctor shortage

A new Umina resident has claimed he was forced to travel about 200 kilometres to see a doctor after he failed to secure an appointment with a local GP.

Mr Jamie Burke and his wife Cheryl recently moved to the Peninsula for a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere after living in Mt Druitt for 18 years.

Mr Burke, 40, said he was at a great loss to understand why it was so difficult to see a doctor on the Peninsula.

"My wife and I recently purchased a home in Umina paying in excess of $400,000," Mr Burke said.

"Both my wife and I had rung several local doctors and all had turned us away telling us they were not accepting new patients.

"My wife had rung one being very sick and was told to go to Gosford Hospital.

"I'm sure our great government doesn't want more patients on their doorsteps.

"I myself was having problems with chest pain I went to Woy Woy Medical Centre but was turned away and told I had to make an appointment for another day.

"I can't plan heart attacks for a following day!

"I believe it needs to be highlighted that people moving to the area do so at their own risk."

Mr Burke said the four doctor surgeries he did come across that were accepting new patients had up to a three-day wait for an available appointment.

"There is obviously a general need for more doctors," Mr Burke said.

"Most people don't plan on getting sick and having to wait up to three days is crazy.

"People should be able to walk into any doctor surgery and wait to be seen.

"People need to be recognised as being sick and not turned away.

"As a male, I find it difficult to see a doctor at best times... being turned away doesn't help."

Mr Burke said he felt it was also important for the Peninsula to have its own acute care hospital at Woy Woy.

"Our older citizens work all the lives, retire and move to the Coast for peace of mind," Mr Burke said.

"Making it harder for people who are sick is totally wrong.

"Let's all work together and make life easier for all.

"Help those in need and kick our medical system in gear.

"Make the government and doctor's wake up to what's real.

"Where will we be when the new housing projects in Woy Woy are finished?

Where do these people go for medical treatment?

"I'm sure it will be even more of a strain on the already stressed and over worked GP system."

AMA NSW president Dr Michael Steiner told Peninsula News there was a shortage of doctors around the country, particularly in rural and remote areas, which was placing undue pressure on GP and hospital services.

"The AMA has called on the Government to provide investment in existing GP infrastructure and supports collaborative arrangements with practice nurses," Dr Steiner said.

"Earlier this year, the Federal Government announced increases to intern medical places for specialists and GPs following representations by the AMA.

"Governments at Federal and State levels now need to undertake workforce planning and consult with doctors, training organisations and Health Workforce Australia to plan for the projected future demand on primary care and hospital services."

Clare Graham, 12 Jul 2010 Interviewee: Jamie Burke, Umina Media statement, 13 Jul 2010 Dr Michael Steiner, AMA NSW