The difficulties in attracting and retaining doctors to rural areas is nothing new and is being felt in rural and regional towns across the country.

“It’s no secret that here in Lakes Entrance we are currently experiencing a shortage of general practitioners,” said Sue Medson OAM, chief executive officer at Gippsland Lakes Community Heath “and next month we will say goodbye to Dr. Darren Irvine from the medical clinic.”

The good news is that GLCH is actively recruiting for GPs.

“We are currently working very hard to develop strategies and resources to attract more doctors to come and work in this beautiful part of the country,” explained Ms Medson. “We are also working in partnership with Rural Workforce Agency Victoria and other medical recruitment agencies to help us to identify doctors who will value the great lifestyle that Lakes Entrance offers.”

In the meantime, with the busy flu season already in full swing, GLCH are asking patients to understand that appointments will be harder to get than usual and that their helpful customer service team are doing their best to meet your needs and those of other patients.