‘Montville needs a doctor’: Fisher MP tables petition

Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace tables the petition.

Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace has tabled a petition calling for the Federal  Government to improve rural and regional incentives to address GP shortages in Montville.

The petition of 775 signatures was presented in parliament. 

It comes in the wake of the Medical Centre in Montville being closed since January 16 due to an inability to attract a doctor.

Mr Wallace said Montville did not receive MM5 category rural funding, which would make all the difference in attracting doctors. 

By comparison Maleny attracted doctors because of  the way doctors were funded through the ‘Modified Monash Model’.

“There is a discrepancy between the income a doctor would earn in Montville which is less than what a doctor would earn in Maleny,” Mr Wallace said.

“Montville misses out by only hundreds of metres, a line on a map, from being able to have appropriate funding for a doctor to work in their town.

“I’m calling on Health Minister Mark Butler, as are those 775 petitioners, to make an exemption and make it at least on par with Maleny to make it more financially rewarding for a doctor to work in Montville.”

Montville has a high proportion of seniors – the age group that has the highest rate to see a GP. Without a doctor service, Montville residents must drive along steep roads on all exits of the town, including the aptly named Razorback Road.

Knock-on effects for local businesses 

“It’s not just the people of Montville that need a doctor. It’s the businesses like the Montville Pharmacy, which runs the risk of having to shut down if Montville doesn’t have a doctor,” Mr Wallace said.

“And if people have to travel to Nambour or Maleny for a medical appointment, it becomes a day trip and they’ll do their shopping or seek other services while they wait for their appointments.”

Mr Wallace said the town truly misses the services of Dr Michael Simpson OAM, who was this week posthumously recognised in the Kings Birthday Honours.

“I want to pay tribute to the Late Dr Michael Simpson, whose OAM for service to the community of Montville acknowledges his tireless work in the community and as a GP in the local area,” Mr Wallace said.

“Since Dr Michael’s passing, Montville has struggled to maintain a GP service. And now there is none.

“Both State and Federal Labor Government have the right levers to pull to give rural communities like Montville the health services they deserve.”