Photo: Paul Walmsley
After years of pleading for change, rural GPs are eagerly awaiting new rules later this month which will allow them to hire paramedics to help handle after-hours emergency calls.
Currently, rural health clinics can provide 24-7 on-call response for emergencies, but only those registered as ACC providers can attend callouts.
These responders are often the only option for rural incidents because an ambulance would be too far away but paramedics have not been covered under the model, meaning GPs have to respond - adding extra pressure to an already overworked and dwindling group.
Now from later this month, rural clinics will be allowed to employ paramedics to be on-call for emergencies.
Kathryn talks to Hanmer Springs Health Centre practice manager Paul Walmsley and PRIME national group chair Mark Eager.
