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       Idyllic WA beachside town's huge package to lure a doctor with $450k
       salary, rent-free house and car
        
 (HTM) Source
        
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       One of WA's most beautiful beachside towns is in such desperate need
       of a doctor that a lucrative package has been put together to entice
       them to the region.
        
       Livingston Medical is advertising for a rural generalist to work four
       days a week, alternating between their Bremer Bay and Jerramungup
       practices, offering $300,000 to $450,000 per year, or 70 per cent of
       billings, plus a rent-free five-bedroom house and four-wheel drive.
        
       The successful applicant will be the only doctor in the shire, with
       the nearest general practitioner almost 200km away in Albany.
        
       Livingston Medical chief executive Rachel Livingston said someone with
       a wide range of skills would be the "right fit" for the job.
        
       "Being the only doctor in the town has its challenges, so we need
       someone of a high calibre," she said.
        
       "You need someone who can do general practice and can operate in an
       emergency, as well as things such as mental health, obstetrics and
       anaesthetics.
        
       "The Swiss army knife of doctors really."
        
       The shortage of general practitioners in rural areas is not limited to
       the Great Southern, with a 2023 report from the Royal Flying Doctor
       Service revealing the crisis facing rural communities.
        
       A general practitioner position in Quairading was advertised in 2023
       for $1 million and another in Lake Grace offered $650,000.
        
       Ms Livingston said despite the challenges of rural living, such as
       finding jobs for a spouse and high schools for children, there were
       numerous benefits.
        
       "This sort of position is cradle-to-grave medicine," she said.
        
       "You're getting to see babies being born and palliating the great-
       grandparents — dealing with people for their whole life.
        
       Camera IconBremer Bay. Credit: Luke Capogreco
        
       "You can see that you're making a true difference to people's lives by
       being there.
        
       "You become heavily ingrained in the community and you end up caring
       passionately about the people, who sort of become your family."
        
       Shire of Jerramungup president Joanne Iffla said the current GP, Dr
       Felicity Paget, would be staying on until a replacement was found.
        
       "I would like to assure the community that the Shire of Jerramungup is
       working closely with Livingston Medical to ensure the practice and
       patients are provided with a seamless transition," she said.
        
       "In order to facilitate economic and population growth within the
       Shire of Jerramungup, the provision of general practice services
       within our community is critically important."
        
        
        
        
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