7 Apr 2011

GPs call for rural scheme to be extended

2:07 pm on 7 April 2011

The Rural General Practice Network is calling for the Government to further extend its Voluntary Bonding Scheme to include rural primary care nurses.

Chair Jo Scott Jones says the rural health sector has a severe nurse shortage and the bonding programme could provide some relief.

The Government scheme is designed to attract doctors and other health workers into hard to staff rural districts and provincial centres by providing cash incentives.

Last month Health Minister Tony Ryall extended it to include nurse graduates in mental health or aged care.

Dr Scott-Jones says they would like to see rural general practice nurses also included.