Distribution Working Group

NSW

Penrith

Not Granted

The DPA classification of Penrith was considered by the Distribution Working Group (DWG) in June 2023. The following factors were considered:

• The percentage above the DPA benchmark for GPs (21%) has decreased slightly since the previous assessment in July 2021 however, it still indicates comparatively high levels of GP service in this catchment.
• The percentage above the DPA benchmark for Bonded doctors (22%) in 2022 has remained the same as the previous annual assessment in July 2021.
• Population growth has been moderate over the last four years to 2022 (7%) however, GP Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) in the catchment has increased in the same period, exceeding population growth.
• The GP FTE per 1,000 residents in 2022 is 1.4, which exceeds the MM2 average of 1.1. This GP FTE figure of 1.4 has remained steady for the last 3 years.

It is recommended DPA status is not granted as the catchment does not meet the requirements for exceptional circumstances.

QLD

Jimboomba

Not Granted

The DPA classification of Jimboomba was considered by the Distribution Working Group (DWG) in June 2023. The following factors were considered:

• The assessed percentage above the benchmark for GPs in 2022 is 23%, indicating higher than average levels of GP service relative to community needs in this catchment. 
• The catchment is experiencing a relatively high population growth, with an 18.2% increase in population over the previous four years and a projected average annual growth rate of 6.3%.
• GP FTE has increased by 16% over the past four years, failing to keep pace with population growth over the same period. However, service levels remain above benchmark levels.

It is recommended DPA status is not granted as the catchment does not meet the requirements for exceptional circumstances.

QLD

Nambour

Not Granted

The DPA classification of Nambour was considered by the Distribution Working Group (DWG) in June 2023. The following factors were considered:

• The catchment has experienced population growth of 5.2% over the four years to 2022.
• The number of GPs working in the catchment has increased by 4.7% but the GP FTE has decreased by 2.4%.
• While GP FTE in this catchment has failed to keep pace with growth, the GP FTE per 1,000 residents has consistently remained at 1.2, which exceeds the MM2 average of 1.1. Additionally, assessment against benchmarks in the most recent DPA update indicate adequate levels of GP service in this catchment (10.5% above the benchmark).
• This catchment has a higher proportion of elderly (over 70) residents (13%) relative to other catchments (11% average), a slightly lower than average Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population (2.9%) relative to other catchments (3% average), and average to low levels of socio-economic disadvantage relative to other catchments.
• The Visa for GPs program lists socio-economic disadvantage for Nambour as moderate.
• The ABS Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) indicator is 4 (with 1 being most disadvantaged and 5 being least disadvantaged).
• These considerations indicate an average to slightly increased patient cohort requiring complex care relative to other catchments.

It is recommended DPA status is not granted as the catchment does not meet the requirements for exceptional circumstances.

SA

Salisbury

Not Granted

The DPA classification of Salisbury was considered by the Distribution Working Group (DWG) in June 2023. The following factors were considered:

• The percentage above the DPA benchmark for GPs (3%) decreased since the previous assessment in July 2021 however, it still indicates higher than average levels of GP service in the catchment.
• Population growth has increased over the last four years to 2022 (4%) however, GP Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) in the catchment has increased in the same period and has slightly exceeded population growth.
• The GP FTE per 1,000 residents in 2022 is 1.4, which exceeds the MM2 average of 1.1. This GP FTE figure of 1.4 has remained steady for the last 3 years.

It is recommended DPA status is not granted as the catchment does not meet the requirements for exceptional circumstances.

VIC

Casey-South

Not Granted

The DPA classification of Casey-South was considered by the Distribution Working Group (DWG) in June 2023. 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 19%, indicating higher than average levels of GP services.
• The percentage above the DPA benchmark for Bonded doctors in 2022 has remained the same since the previous annual assessment in July 2021, 20% above the benchmark for the BMP in 2022.
• Population growth in the GP catchment of Casey-South has been moderate over the four years to 2022 (3.7%).  GP FTE has increased by 31% over the past four years, exceeding population growth.

It is recommended DPA status is not granted as the catchment does not meet the requirements for exceptional circumstances.

VIC

Lilydale-Yarra Valley

Not Granted

The DPA status of Lilydale-Yarra Valley was considered by the DWG in December 2022. The following factors were considered:

• The GP FTE per 1,000 population is (1.1) equal to the MM2 average.
• The GP services per capita is 7.2, compared to the MM2 average of 7.

• There is no evidence of an ageing population with 11% of the population aged 70, which is equal to the national average.

• The Visa for GPs program lists socio-economic disadvantage for Lilydale-Yarra Valley as low. 
• The ABS Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) indicator is 5 (one equates to most disadvantaged and five least disadvantaged).
• GP service levels assessed in the regular annual DPA updates have been above the benchmarks for both GPs and Bonded doctors over the four years to 2022. In 2022 both GP and BMP was 8% indicating adequate levels of GP service relative to community needs in this catchment.

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

VIC

Mill Park-Epping

Not Granted

The DPA classification of Mill Park-Epping was considered by the Distribution Working Group (DWG) in June 2023. The following factors were considered:

• The DPA benchmark for GPs in 2022 has decreased since 2021 but, it is still above the benchmark indicating adequate levels of GP service relative to community need.
• The percentage above the DPA benchmark for Bonded doctors in 2022 has also decreased since the previous annual assessment in July 2021 but remains above the threshold.
• Population growth in the GP catchment of Mill Park-Epping has been moderate over the four years to 2022 (3%). However, GP FTE has increased by 4.5%, exceeding population growth.
• The GP FTE per 1,000 residents in 2021-22 is 1.3, which exceeds the MM 2 average of 1.1. This figure has remained relatively steady since 2018-19.

It is recommended DPA status is not granted as the catchment does not meet the requirements for exceptional circumstances.

VIC

Pakenham

Not Granted

The DPA classification of Pakenham was considered by the Distribution Working Group (DWG) in June 2023. The following factors were considered:

• The percentage above the DPA benchmark for GPs in 2022 has changed little since the previous annual assessment in July 2021. The assessed percentage above the benchmark for GPs in 2022 is 18%, indicating higher than average levels of GP service.
• GP FTE has increased 19% over the past four years. GP FTE in this catchment has therefore exceeded growth in population in the same period by approximately 9%.
• GP FTE per 1000 residents in Pakenham in 2021-22 was 1.3, higher than the MM 2 average of 1.1.

It is recommended DPA status is not granted as the catchment does not meet the requirements for exceptional circumstances.

WA

Armadale

Not Granted

The DPA classification of Armadale was considered by the Distribution Working Group (DWG) in June 2023. The following factors were considered:

• The percentage above the DPA benchmark for GPs in 2022 has increased since the previous annual assessment in July 2021 to 12% above the DPA benchmark, indicating higher than average levels of GP services in this catchment.
• The percentage above the DPA benchmark for Bonded doctors in 2022 has also increased since the previous annual assessment in July 2021and is 12% above the benchmark in 2022, confirming the above assessment of service levels in the catchment.
• Population growth in the GP catchment of Armadale has been relatively high over the four years to 2022 (11.5%). 
• GP FTE has increased over the past four years, by approximately 5%, lower than population growth in the catchment in the same period (11.5%).

It is recommended DPA status is not granted as the catchment does not meet the requirements for exceptional circumstances.

WA

Gosnells

Not Granted

The DPA classification of Gosnells was considered by the Distribution Working Group (DWG) in June 2023. The following factors were considered:

• The percentage above the DPA benchmark for GPs in 2022 has increased since the annual assessment in July 2021. The assessed percentage above the benchmark for GPs in 2022 is 9%, indicating higher than average levels of GP services in this catchment.
• The percentage above the DPA benchmark for Bonded doctors in 2022 has also increased since the previous annual assessment in July 2021. The assessed percentage above the benchmark for the BMP in 2022 is 10%, confirming the above assessment of service levels in the catchment.
• GP FTE has increased by 9 approximately 7%, equal to the population growth in this catchment in the same period.
• The GP FTE per 1,000 residents in 2021 is 1.1, equal to the MM 2 average, and improving in the past year.

It is recommended DPA status is not granted as the catchment does not meet the requirements for exceptional circumstances.

WA

Joondalup

Not Granted

The DPA classification of Joondalup was considered by the Distribution Working Group (DWG) in June 2023. The following factors were considered:

• The percentage above the DPA benchmark for GPs in 2022 has remained steady since the previous annual assessment in July 2021 at 5% above the DPA benchmark, indicating higher than average levels of GP service in this catchment.
• The percentage above the DPA benchmark for Bonded doctors in 2022 has increased slightly since the previous annual assessment in July 2021. The assessed percentage above the benchmark for the BMP in 2022 is 5%, confirming the above assessment of service levels in the catchment.
• The GP FTE per 1,000 residents in 2021-22 is 1.2, which exceeds the MM 2 average of 1.1. This is a slight decrease on the previous year’s figure of 1.3.

It is recommended DPA status is not granted as the catchment does not meet the requirements for exceptional circumstances.

WA

Swan

Not Granted

The DPA classification of Swan was considered by the Distribution Working Group (DWG) in June 2023. The following factors were considered:

• The DPA benchmark for GPs in 2022 has increased since the previous annual assessment in July 2021 to 6% above the benchmark, indicating higher than average levels of GP service in this catchment.
• The DPA benchmark for Bonded doctors in 2022 has also increased since the previous annual assessment in July 2021. The assessed percentage above the benchmark for the BMP in 2022 is 7%, confirming the above assessment of service levels in the catchment.
• Population growth in the GP catchment of Swan has been relatively high over the four years to 2022 (11%), however service levels have remained above benchmark levels.

It is recommended DPA status is not granted as the catchment does not meet the requirements for exceptional circumstances.