Mr CHRIS HARTCHER (Terrigal) [5.29 p.m.]: Erina Fair Medical Care is a medical centre located at Erina Fair. It is owned and operated by Mr Peter Carr, who established the practice in November 2003 with an understanding of the peril of many residents of the Central Coast who are unable to see a doctor—most practices on the Central Coast have had their books closed to new patients for many years. 

The practice has grown from 25,000 patients to well over 35,000. On most days Mr Carr's practice sees approximately 220 patients. On an odd day when he can employ extra casual doctors the number can rise to 320 patients. However, patients still face a wait of in excess of four hours, and even those who scheduled an appointment some seven days prior face a lengthy wait as the doctors attempt to fit in as many walk-ins as possible.

Erina Fair Medical Care is open seven days, with extended hours. There are six doctors on duty most days, and in an effort to lessen the heavy workload there are three registered nurses working each day. Still, Mr Carr regrettably has to turn away up to 150 patients on most days as there is just not sufficient time to see everyone. Sadly, some patients may have travelled for more than an hour in an attempt to see a doctor. The Central Coast Express Advocate reported on Friday 24 April 2009:

Erina Fair Medical Care's practice manager, Peter Carr, said despite a desperate search to find GPs, he was forced to put a full-house sign on the front door by 10 a.m. on most days.

In November 2008 one of the practice's full-time doctors resigned, and Mr Carr now faces the loss of another doctor, who tendered her resignation as of this month. Despite extensive efforts in the past 18 months, Mr Carr has been unable to retain the services of any additional general practitioners, and he expresses grave concern that current doctors in his practice may also move on if the stress of demand continues. The Central Coast is one of the fastest-growing regions in New South Wales. The population overall increased by 4.1 per cent between 2001 and 2006, and over the past 10 years has increased by 13.3 per cent. Projected figures suggest an increase of 65,000 within the next 15 to 20 years. However, the socioeconomic status of the Central Coast is lower than the New South Wales average. The median age of death is three years below that of our northern Sydney counterparts. According to the 2007-08 annual report of the Central Coast Division of General Practice:

residents on the Central Coast experience poorer health, have higher mortality rates and high rates of behavioural health-risk factors such as smoking and obesity, and have poorer access to GPs, primary care, and diagnostic and specialist health care than the rest of the NSCCH (Northern Sydney Central Coast Health) population.

Given this information, Mr Carr's difficulties with finding and retaining general practitioners in his practice are, quite simply, deplorable. The Central Coast cannot afford to lose any more doctors; rather, numbers should be bolstered to service the growing population and to combat the growing number of general practitioners reaching the age of retirement. As at August 2008, the Central Coast had a total of 304 general practitioners—213 male and 91 female. The average age of general practitioners is 53.8 years. The Federal member for Dobell, Craig Thompson, recently announced that, in a cooperative effort with Nicola Roxon, the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, $2.5 million had been acquired from the Rudd Government to build a general practitioner super clinic for the northern Central Coast. Along with other specialist services, additional general practitioners will be secured, and many of the services will be bulk billed.

This move is commendable. However, Emma McBride, a Wyong Shire Councillor, voted against the placement of the general practitioner super clinic in Wyong shire at a council meeting on October 2008. In the meantime, Gosford city is left suffering under the umbrella of Northern Sydney and Central Coast Health, and is adversely affected in its designation as part of the Sydney metropolitan service. While the head of Warnervale Medical Services Pty Ltd, Dr Brad Cranney, and his team report that they have been successful in attracting and retaining general practitioners and maintaining after-hours care, Mr Carr has, unfortunately, yet to be so successful in his efforts. I challenge the Federal and State Ministers for health and the State Minister for the Central Coast to relax the rules surrounding the employment of overseas general practitioners to support the failing medical services in Gosford city.

Overseas trained general practitioners must work outside a metropolitan area for 10 years before moving into major cities. However, Gosford city is currently considered to be within the Sydney metropolitan zone and is therefore not classified as an area of workforce shortage. It is absurd to suggest that a Central Coast resident would travel to Sydney to seek medical advice for a common cold or another common ailment. Wyong shire is designated as an area of workforce shortage and as such is able to seek overseas doctors to practice in its area. Gosford city does not have the same designation. If Gosford city were redesignated as an area of workforce shortage Mr Carr would have a far greater chance of bolstering general practitioner numbers, and in turn the residents of Gosford city and the Central Coast would have more adequate and timely access to essential general practitioner services.