Published on Friday, 4 October 2024 at 9:32:47 AM
The Town of Port Hedland is playing its part in helping to attract and retain GPs by offering a significant rental reduction on housing.
The Town owns 10 houses in Port Hedland which are being rented to various GP services at a subsidised rate.
At the September Ordinary Council Meeting, councillors voted to further reduce the weekly rental costs by $300 per week. This takes the Town's total subsidy to around $11,000 per week.
Mayor Peter Carter said access to GPs and healthcare generally, as well as providing incentives to attract and retain medical health professionals to Hedland, were key findings in the 2023 Community Scorecard.
“Regional areas across Western Australia, and right across the country, are finding it difficult to attract and retain GPs and other qualified health professionals," Mayor Carter said.
"We have seen the challenges first-hand with the loss of Sonic Health in South Hedland.
“Local governments are increasingly having to find ways to incentivise GPs and health professionals to move to regional areas, despite this not being one of their traditional roles.
“The Town of Port Hedland has provided subsidised housing to GPs for more than 10 years.
“Having access to quality medical care is crucial, and this move is one way the Town can help to attract and retain GPs to Hedland.”
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