VIC: Drs could leave without a rescue package says AMA

The Australian Medical Association Victoria says a recent survey found 37 per cent of the GPs surveyed who provide services to country hospitals do not plan on practising medicine in rural parts of the state beyond five years.

"We knew we would lose a substantial number of doctors to retirement over the next few years but many more doctors are ready to abandon rural practice because they are burnt out," association president Dr Harry Hemley said on Monday.

He said rural doctors see patients in local hospitals, are woken up during the night to answer phone calls and accept on-call arrangements that prevent them from taking holidays or spending time with their families.

"Rural doctors are overwhelmed by pressures beyond running their own general practice clinics," Dr Hemley said.

The survey of around 650 rural doctors was conducted last December.

AMA Victoria has put a $94.6 million four-year proposal to the state government to help retain and attract doctors to rural areas.

Dr Hemley said the rescue package recommends incentives for doctors to relocate to rural areas and proposes rewards for rural doctors' long-term contribution to their communities.

It also recommends payments for after-hours or overnight phone consultations - services which are not currently remunerated.