STAWELL - Director of Medical Services at Stawell Regional Health and long serving Stawell general practitioner, Dr Norman Castle OAM, has warned if the Federal Government's proposal to change rural classifications for health funding is allowed to go through it will be disastrous.
The new system of classification would rezone most of central and eastern Victoria as `inner regional', affecting hospitals and doctors in towns including Stawell and Ararat.
Dr Castle said the changes would destroy any incentives for doctors to remain practising in the country.
''The Brumby Government has made significant grants to the Stawell and Ararat Hospitals and has stated it is committed to ensure all Victorians can access quality health care, no matter where they live.
''The Rudd Government is bent on destroying this and insists on slashing rural funding, which will result in no increase in doctor numbers in rural areas at a time when we are precariously short of doctors,'' he said.
Dr Castle said the new proposal would destroy any incentives for doctors to remain practising in the country.
''Country doctors do work harder than doctors in the city and general practitioners who work in centres such as Ballarat.
''Family doctors are expected to work in hospitals and also do emergency work. They have a much greater work load and greater responsibility, which city practitioners do not have.
''Under the proposals we will also no longer be able to recruit overseas doctors,'' he said.
Dr Castle said many submissions had been made to the Rudd Government without any response.
''Mr Rudd is only concerned about reducing his budget deficit and country people will suffer most health wise.
''Budget day is fast approaching and if the measures proposed with the health service are carried forward there will be war. Country people must be protected,'' he said.
Dr Castle said the Australian Medical Association, senior doctors, the president of the Rural Doctors Association and many others regard this as one of the most serious health issues in many decades.
''The reform has been drawn up by bureaucrats, who know nothing of the conditions in the country,'' Dr Castle said.
''It will be disastrous if it is allowed to go through.
''Can you fathom the stupidity of these bureaucratic monsters who place Stawell and Ararat on the same level as Ballarat where general practitioners have none of the responsibilities Stawell and Ararat general practitioners have,'' Dr Castle said.