Survey shows impact of GP shortages across Grey electorate

Residents in regional communities across the Grey electorate are increasingly travelling to Adelaide for GP appointments and other basic healthcare due to severe shortages of local services. 

Respondents to South Australian Senator Karen Grogan’s GP shortage survey say they are waiting weeks to get a GP appointment and that doctors are unable to accept new patients.  

Others say the lack of rapid antigen tests means they can’t get a face-to-face appointment with a doctor because they can’t meet the testing requirement. 

Many of those surveyed say their local doctors are overworked and that communities are suffering as a result. 

“I feel for the doctors as they are so overworked. It is unfair on them and us when we are really sick and cannot see anyone.” 

Others have told of the severe shortages in mental health services. 

 “My wife was told by a mental health nurse, ‘if you’re not close to committing suicide, then we really can't help you.” 

And parents have spoken about not being able to access services for sick children. 

“I have a two-year-old who is a severe asthmatic and I struggle to get her into the doctors when she is having an asthma attack.” 

Senator Grogan will table the survey responses at the upcoming Senate inquiry into regional health service shortages which is sitting in Whyalla on 1 March. 

Government figures also show people living in Grey have had the highest increase in out-of-pocket expenses for GP visits than anywhere else in the State. 

More than 200 people have so far shared their views on GP shortages. Anyone wanting to complete the survey should visit Senator Grogan’s Facebook page before 23 February.