Lakes Entrance is a community that knows how to step up when something important is at stake and at present, local patients are waiting more than three weeks for a doctor’s appointment.
Practice Principal at Cunninghame Arm Medical Centre (CAMC) Dr David Campbell AM and Lakes Entrance Action and Development Association (LEADA) president Sharen Cameron are spearheading a campaign to encourage more General Practitioners to choose Lakes Entrance as their home.
“Cunninghame Arm Medical Centre remains a strong and highly respected teaching practice, but we now need to attract an additional experienced GP to help expand appointment availability and support the supervision of our junior doctors and registrars,” Dr Campbell said.
“CAMC is currently hosting a large cohort of doctors-in-training and has identified a critical need for more senior supervision capacity.
“It is important to be clear about this message. Lakes Entrance is not out of doctors. This is about strengthening local healthcare by recruiting an experienced GP who can help supervise the next generation of doctors while also increasing access to appointments for our community and reducing waiting times.
“To help achieve this, we are building a community-backed recruitment incentive package that showcases not only the professional opportunity available at CAMC, but also the extraordinary lifestyle, welcome and support that Lakes Entrance can offer. We are inviting local businesses and regional activity providers to help us create a package that reflects the very best of our town.
“Examples of contributions could include restaurant vouchers, café experiences, local retail vouchers, accommodation offers, wellness services, gym memberships, cruises, fishing or boating experiences, golf, family activities, and other local or regional experiences that would help a new doctor and their family feel welcomed, valued and excited to build a life here.
“One idea might be a meal each month
at a local venue for the first year. Another might be weekend experiences that allow
the doctor or their family to discover the region over time.
“At the same time, we are planning a series of creative and media-friendly community activities to help raise the profile of this campaign. One of our ideas is to setup the Longest Waiting Room, consisting of 90 chairs along the footbridge that represents the potential appointments provided by one additional GP per week. This event is currently planned for Saturday, May 9 and we are working on attracting statewide media coverage.
“We are asking for your support in three ways: to consider contributing an offer or experience to the recruitment package, to help promote the campaign through your business, and to share any ideas you may have for additional activities or media opportunities.
“This is a chance for the business community to be part of something practical, positive and important. Together, we can show that Lakes Entrance is a town that values healthcare, supports medical training, and stands ready to welcome the right doctor with open arms,” Dr Campbell said.
If you would like to contribute to the recruitment package or share an idea, please contact Melanie Witham at the CAMC Clinic.
