‘If it can happen here it can happen anywhere’: sudden GP exodus triggers community crisis
Armidale GP Dr Vicki Howell says radical solutions are needed to address the desperate shortage of doctors in rural areas
A GP has described the anguish of thousands of patients in her community who have been left without access to general practice care following the exodus of eight doctors in just 12 weeks.
Dr Vicki Howell says the relocations have caused a crisis, with a quarter of Armidale’s residents now without a GP.
“If it can happen here it can happen anywhere,” said Dr Howell, who is chair of the New England Division of General Practice.
“It’s a beautiful town. It’s a regional centre, with services, resources, really good education facilities and affordable housing. And we have a university that has a medical school.”
