Rural SA Town Still Searching for a Permanent GP
16 Mar 2026
The town of Kimba, located about five hours west of Adelaide, has built a $1 million medical centre and provided rent-free homes for doctors in an effort to recruit a permanent GP. Despite these efforts, the position has remained unfilled for three years.
Mayor Dean Johnson said the community understands how important consistent access to a GP is, particularly for managing ongoing health conditions.
He said patients often delay seeking care or must repeatedly explain their medical history when seeing different doctors, which can make treatment more difficult.
The importance of continuity of care
Mayor Johnson said people living with complex health conditions rely on regular monitoring and medical advice.
He also highlighted the role of GPs in supporting mental health in rural communities, explaining that doctors are often the first step for people needing specialist mental health services.
Community efforts to attract doctors
To improve healthcare access, the council has taken several steps to recruit a GP.
These include building a new medical centre, offering free housing for doctors and creating a recruitment video promoting the town and its community.
Local organisations have also worked together through the Northern Eyre Peninsula Health Alliance and applied for innovation grants aimed at improving healthcare access in the region.
However, the town has so far only been able to attract doctors for short-term placements.
Calls for stronger support for rural doctors
Mayor Johnson believes long-term solutions are needed at a national level to encourage doctors to work in rural communities.
He said better incentives and support for regional GP practices could help ensure services remain sustainable.
Rural towns across Australia facing similar challenges
Communities across Australia have launched creative recruitment campaigns to attract doctors.
For example, the Victorian town of Birregurra previously offered perks such as free haircuts, gym classes and coffees to encourage a GP to move there. Similar initiatives have also taken place in Kerang, Goondiwindi and Julia Creek.
More doctors entering GP training
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners President Michael Wright said growing interest in general practice training could help improve the situation in rural areas.
This year, 1,772 doctors joined the Australian General Practice Training Program, including 841 trainees on rural pathways who will complete their training in regional and remote communities. Another 293 doctors will train as Rural Generalists.
In South Australia alone, 154 new GP trainees started the program this year.
Hope for the future
While the GP position in Kimba remains vacant, Mayor Johnson remains hopeful a doctor will soon choose to settle in the town.
He said the community is welcoming and supportive and would do everything possible to help a GP feel at home.
https://www1.racgp.org.au/
Source: newsGP