The Distribution Priority Area Australia classification system identifies locations with a shortage of medical practitioners and facilitates the placement of international medical graduates in rural areas, and communities where there is a greater need for GPs.
Experienced GP and medical director Dr Harsha Aluthge has spent the past decade purchasing practices around Victoria in DPA areas. His drive to help increase the number of doctors available to these communities has now prompted him to purchase the Murchison Medical Clinic, in what is also a DPA area.
“People don’t want to wait for doctors, nor should they have to,” Dr Aluthge said.
“Murchison will potentially have up to six doctors soon, which means patients won’t have to wait.
“They can call in the morning and hopefully be seen that same day.”
The doctor, who is fluent in English and Sinhalese, has a special interest in sports medicine, injuries and rehabilitation, skin cancer medicine and surgery, and sexual and reproductive health.
He will be primarily based in Melbourne and will visit the clinic a few days a week while overseeing its growth and success in the community.
“I am looking into purchasing a home in Murchison so that doctors practising at the clinic don’t have to commute and can get to know the community better,” he said.
“This is part of the overall teaching goals, to train the medical students, registrars and overseas-trained doctors to practise in regional Australia and plant the seed about practising in Murchison and the Goulburn Valley.
“I am also looking forward to working alongside Dr Susan Furphy, Dr Neville Leslie and registrars Dr Matthew Cardinali and Dr Rashmi Ramanath, who all provide a broad range of experience to this clinic and community.
“Everyone deserves quick and good access to health practitioners.”
