Bush doctors need carrots as dire warnings of drain are raised

Priority status: Dr Lee Fong with Labor MPs Dan Repacholi, Meryl Swanson and Pat Conroy when changes to the Distribution Priority Area classifications were announced in July. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

THE Rural Doctors Association of Australia says Labor's health policies are making it hard to attract and retain medical staff in the bush.

In July, Health Minister Mark Butler announced the number of Distribution Priority Areas across Australia would grow to 707 and include larger regional centres such as Newcastle and the Central Coast.