When tackling the rural health crisis, it’s not enough for politicians to stand up in parliament and “demand” that the government solve the problem.

The healthcare system is in crisis. This is clear to every member of the Calare community who tries to book an appointment with a GP. Sometimes there are no GPs available, sometimes practices aren’t taking new patients, and sometimes the wait is simply too long. These challenges are not only frustrating but can also be life-threatening.

Kate believes that solving the rural healthcare workforce crisis requires empowering local communities. By providing them with the funding and expertise they need, we can build capacity and create lasting solutions.

Accessing a GP is a growing struggle for people across Calare. In Mudgee, we’ve seen practices forced to close their books to new patients, unable to meet the demand of a growing population projected to increase by 40% by 2026. Gulgong has been without a GP since early 2024, leaving the community in a desperate situation. Sadly, these stories are not unique—they’re part of a wider issue affecting regional and rural Australia.

Far too many people in Calare face lengthy delays or must travel hours—sometimes four or five—to access the medical care they need. Continuity of care is lacking, and essential services are increasingly out of reach. Kate understands the frustrations of the community firsthand. As a mother, she knows how frightening it is when a child needs timely medical care but no help is available.

Through conversations with GPs and healthcare professionals across the region, Kate has gained a clear understanding of the structural challenges in primary healthcare. There are reasons to be hopeful, such as the Royal Australian College of General Practice filling all its training places for 2025—a nearly 20% increase from 2024. However, Kate recognises that systemic reforms will take time, and regional Australia can’t afford to wait.

What’s needed now are thoughtful, effective interventions that support the long-term work of reform while addressing immediate challenges. A functioning healthcare system relies on many moving parts and should leverage all available resources to deliver 21st-century care. Allied health professionals—including nurse practitioners, paramedics, occupational therapists, and social workers—are a vital part of the solution. These professionals already deliver millions of health services annually and must be better integrated into the healthcare system to support Calare’s needs.

While attracting more GPs to the region remains essential, Kate knows we must also make becoming a GP more appealing through better training pathways, improved remuneration, and tax reforms. This is a layered, multifaceted issue.

The people of Calare aren’t waiting for outside solutions—they’re already taking action. In Bathurst and other towns, GP practices are working hard to train and inspire the next generation of rural doctors. In Mudgee, GPs have united to create a promotional video to attract healthcare professionals to the region. Sharing initiatives like this within your networks can help us bring much-needed support to our beautiful community.

Enticing healthcare workers to Calare isn’t just about jobs—it’s about creating thriving, welcoming communities where they and their families want to live. This means investing in good schools, career opportunities for partners, affordable housing, reliable public transport, and strong infrastructure that connects our towns to major centres. These are the building blocks of resilient, self-sufficient communities, and they’re at the heart of Kate’s vision for Calare.

Improving healthcare services for Calare is one of Kate’s top priorities. Rural Australia is the beating heart of this nation, and it needs access to high-quality healthcare to thrive.

As your representative in Canberra, Kate will use her platform to highlight these issues and advocate for meaningful change.

What could Kate do to help?

• Immediate care solutions: Advocate for increased funding and support for nurse practitioners, allied health professionals, paramedics and pharmacists to deliver accessible healthcare services in the short term while longer-term solutions are implemented.
• Allied health programs: Push for programs that enable allied health professionals, nurses, and pharmacies to help bridge the GP workforce gap by expanding their ability to provide essential healthcare services, especially in underserved areas.
• Medicare reforms: Advocate for Medicare rebates for GP appointments to keep pace with CPI and align with industry standards.
• Incentives for junior doctors: Support training programs, HECS relief, scholarships, and tax reforms to encourage junior doctors to pursue a career in rural general practice.
• Country-focused education: Back programs that enable medical students from rural areas to study locally and remain in the region post-graduation.
• GP teaching support: Ensure that GPs who teach medical students and GP registrars are adequately supported and funded.
• Recruitment campaigns: Run national and international campaigns to promote careers in rural general practice. Recent changes have made it easier for UK GPs to work in Australia, and we should capitalise on these changes to bring more GPs—and their families—to Calare.

Do you have other ideas about how we can solve our health workforce crisis? Kate would love to hear from you. Contact Kate.