Distribution Working Group

NSW

Murwillumbah

Granted

The DPA status of Murwillumbah was considered by the DWG in October 2022.

The following factors were considered:

• The percentage above the DPA benchmark for GPs in 2022 has decreased slightly since the previous annual assessment in July 2021. The assessed percentage above the benchmark for GPs in 2022 is 0%, indicating low levels of GP service relative to community needs in this catchment.
• The percentage above the DPA benchmark for Bonded doctors in 2022 has increased by 1% since the previous annual assessment in July 2021. The assessed percentage above the benchmark for the BMP in 2022 is just 1%, confirming the above assessment of service levels in the catchment.
• Assessed levels of GP service have been almost exactly on the distribution benchmarks for several years, and
• GP FTE per 1000 residents has been at the MM 2 average and only slightly above in 2022.

DPA status is granted until the next DPA update on 1 July 2023, effective from the date of publication of this outcome (28/11/2022).

NSW

Port Kembla

Granted

The DPA status of Port Kembla was considered by the DWG in October 2022.

The following factors were considered:

• There is evidence of significant socio-economic disadvantage, or the presence of vulnerable population cohorts in this catchment.
• Port Kembla has an elderly (over 70) population of 13.5 percent, higher than the national average of 11 percent, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is 4.1%, which is above the national average of 3 percent.
• The ABS Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) value is 2. (Noting that one equates to most disadvantaged and five least disadvantaged).
• The GP services per capita is above average (8.2) but GP workforce in Port Kembla is aging, with 18.4% of GPs reaching retirement age (over 65).
• The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is 4.1%, which is above the national average of 3 %.

DPA status is granted until the next DPA update on 1 July 2023, effective from the date of publication of this outcome (28/11/2022).

QLD

Gold Coast

Not granted

The DPA status of Gold Coast North was considered by the DWG in October 2022.

The following factors were considered:

• DPA benchmark for GPs and Bonded doctors in 2022 is 14% and 15% respectively which is well above the benchmarks.
• The GP FTE per 1,000 residents in 2021 is 1.4, which exceeds the MM 2 average of 1.2.

The ABS Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) indicator is 3 (with 1 being the most disadvantaged and 5 being least disadvantaged).

• Population growth in the GP catchment of Gold Coast North has been low over the four years to 2022 (3%).

A change of DPA status is not supported as the catchment is well serviced in terms of GP services access.

QLD

Strathpine

Not granted

The DPA status of Strathpine was considered by the DWG in October 2022.

The following factors were considered:

• The GP FTE per 1,000 population in 2021 (2) is close to double that of the MM2 average (1.1).

• Population growth in this catchment has been comparatively low in the four years to 2021.

• The Visa for GPs program lists socio-economic disadvantage for Strathpine as low. The ABS Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) value is 3 (noting that one equates to most disadvantaged and five least disadvantaged).
• GP service levels assessed in the regular annual DPA updates have been consistently well above the benchmarks for both GPs and Bonded doctors over the four years to 2022. The 2022 figures of 24% and 25% respectively indicate high levels of GP service relative to community need in this catchment.

A change of DPA status is not supported as the catchment is well serviced in terms of GP services access.

SA

Salisbury

Not granted

The DPA status of Salisbury was considered by the DWG in October 2022.

The following factors were considered:

• GP services per capita is higher (8.7) than the national MM2 benchmark (6.5).
• The number of GPs has increased from 260 in 2018 to 264 in 2021, with slightly higher numbers of doctors in the catchment in intervening years.
• GP full-time equivalent (FTE) in the catchment has increased by 11.5% over the past four years, from 176.6 GP FTE in 2018 to 199.5 GP FTE in 2021. This growth in GP FTE is notably higher than the population growth rate in this catchment.
• The GP FTE per 1,000 population in 2021 is 1.4, against an MM 2 average of 1.1. This figure has been stable since 2019.
• The DPA and BMP benchmark has decreased over the past 12 months from 6% (BMP) and 7% (GPs) to 4% and 3% respectively, indicating a moderate decline in service levels over the past year. Overall, percentages above benchmarks have remained in single figures for both GPs and Bonded doctors since 2019

A change of DPA status is not supported as the catchment is well serviced in terms of GP services access.

VIC

Bacchus Marsh-Melton

Not granted

The DPA status of Bacchus Marsh-Melton was considered by the DWG in October 2022.

The following factors were considered:

• The percentage above the DPA benchmark for GPs in 2022 has decreased significantly since the previous annual assessment in July 2021. The assessed percentage above the benchmark for GPs in 2022 is 4%, and 5% for BMP.

• The GP FTE per 1,000 residents in 2021 is 1.2, which exceeds the MM 2 average of 1.1.
• The catchment’s GP FTE ratio to the number of GPs is 0.7, above the MM 2 average (0.6).

A change of DPA status is not supported as the catchment is well serviced in terms of GP services access.

VIC

Casey North

Not granted

The DPA status of Casey North was considered by the DWG in October 2022.

The following factors were considered:

The GP FTE per 1,000 residents in 2021 is 1.4, which exceeds the MM 2 average of 1.1.

GP Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) in this catchment has increased from 190.7 GP FTE to 204.7 GP FTE, equating to a 7.3% increase over the past four years. GP FTW in this catchment has therefore exceeded growth in GP FTE in the same period.

The ABS Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) indicator is 4 (with 1 being most disadvantaged and 5 being least disadvantaged).

Population growth in the GP catchment of Casey North has been low over the four years to 2022 (1 percent)

A change of DPA status is not supported as the catchment is well serviced in terms of GP services access.