Health Policy

Victoria’s health system is outdated, overwhelmed, and struggling to meet demand. The Andrews and Allan Labor Governments in Victoria have squeezed the life out of our hospitals, ambulances and medical practices across the state. The Victorian health system is bursting at the seams, with workers across the sector leaving in droves feeling exhausted, distressed, and disillusioned. 

One Nation Victoria recognises the need to lift the focus on this critical and neglected sector, and work collaboratively with key stakeholders to ensure that our health system meets the demands across the state. We will urgently increase the number of general practitioners (GPs), regional doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other critical health professionals through a structured and methodical approach. 

OUR POLICIES:

General Practitioners (GPs)

Dr Nicole Higgins, president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, recently said that just under 14 per cent of medical students were choosing general practice, compared with about 40 per cent two decades ago. The Australian Medical Association predicts that in a worst-case scenario there could be a shortfall of 10,600 GPs across Australia within 10 years. There is an approximate five week wait to see a GP in Victoria currently.

The areas that are particularly struggling for access to GP’s are the outer metropolitan corridors of Melbourne, as well as the rural and regional towns across Victoria. People with chronic health conditions are not receiving the care they need.

Incentivise for priority areas

One Nation Victoria will: 

  • establish financial incentives to encourage GPs to move to where the need is greatest; also 
  • establish a grant process for medical students to complete a GP specialisation in their studies to make up for the pay shortfall in their first three years compared to other medical specialisations.

    This will help to meet the overwhelming demand and resultant shortages for access to GPs across the state, especially outside metropolitan Melbourne. The current shortages result in Victorians attending emergency departments for care that should be provided in primary care facilities. This places unnecessary strain on our hospitals and needs to be urgently reduced.

Nurses

Nursing shortages are becoming more and more widespread across Victoria. Research by Health Workforce Australia (HWA) shows that, due to the ageing workforce and many other factors, there could be a shortfall of more than 100,000 nurses by 2025 and 123,000 by 2030.

One Nation Victoria will: 

  • partner with Victorian Universities to develop enrolment attraction strategies which encourage older Victorians to participate in nursing programs. 
  • We will also partner with Victorian hospitals to ensure that the workplace for nurses is flexible in nature, enabling work-life balance and the reduction in burn-out.
  • With 88% of nurses being female, One Nation Victoria will initiate a study as to why more men aren’t pursuing this career and implement the findings into an active campaign to encourage men into considering nursing careers.
  • The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) reports that violence against nurses is on the rise, with approximately 10 percent of nurses reporting some kind of assault. One Nation Victoria will pass legislation mandating strict prosecution of those committing assaults of Victorian nurses, including the deportation of those non-citizens who are perpetrating this inexcusable violence in contrast to Australian values.

Paramedics and other critical health professionals

Recent years have seen a worrying trend of paramedic shortages. Many are lured by higher salaries and better working conditions in the US and other Western nations. This is resulting in Victorians missing out on the urgent, critical care required in emergency medical scenarios across the state.

One Nation Victoria calls for: 

  • increased funding for specialists and community care, as well as increased wages commensurate with pressures of the job. 
  • One Nation Victoria will develop a strong working relationship with Ambulance Victoria and Ambulance Employees Australia – Victoria (AEAV) to establish working parties that significantly bolster talent retention activities, improved wages, as well as mental health support to those on the front line. We will ensure they are cared for in the same way as they care for Victorians. 

 

One Nation will announce further information and associated policies relating to Victoria over the course of the election cycle.