Many people living outside the major towns on the Mid North Coast face at least a 30 minute drive to see a bulk-billing GP. With only eight clinics available between Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour – not all of them available to everyone – booking in for a free consultation with a doctor remains difficult, and in some areas, it’s getting worse.

The state of bulk billing on the Mid North Coast

Annual reporting from healthcare directory Cleanbill shows that while some areas of the Mid North Coast are increasing the number of clinics, others are going backwards.

In Cowper, which covers 7,271 square kilometres from Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour, only eight clinics offering bulk billing – but not all are available to everyone, some have their books closed to new clients, while others have long waiting lists.

Despite this, Cleanbill found there had been a 10.9 per cent increase in available bulk billing clinics from 22/23 to 24/25.

Coffs Harbour, home to around 78,000 people, currently has two bulk billing clinics, however, not only do they have restrictions on who can become a patient, there are other barriers as well. 

The books are currently closed with a waitlist of up to three-months for Galambila Aboriginal Health Service, which is open to Indigenous people, family and partners. Headspace Coffs Harbour’s books are open to those aged 12-25 looking for mental health care such as counselling, however, at this point in time, the clinic no longer has a General Practitioner and is on the hunt for one.

That means the City of Coffs Harbour has zero bulk billing GP options open to all, according to the Government’s Healthdirect service.

Port Macquarie, with its population of 50,000, has one bulk billing clinic available to all. It also has a bulk billing clinic for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander patients, and their carers and partners, and also has a Headspace clinic that specialises in mental health services. At this point in time, the GP is only available to current clients. However, they have a long wait list and cannot accept new clients at this stage.

In all of Kempsey Shire there is a lone bulk billing General Practice open to everyone, so if you live in South West Rocks - for example - and want a free consultation you’d need to drive for 30 minutes to Kempsey for an appointment. 

The Kempsey GP Centre recently got a new doctor, so you may be in luck if you’re looking to get on their books as a new patient.

Both Kempsey and Nambucca also have one other clinic with bulk-billing services, including GP, available for Indigenous people and their partners and carers. However, the Nambucca clinic’s books are currently closed.

If you live in Nambucca Valley, Bellingen Shire or City of Coffs Harbour Council areas, you’ve got slim pickings for bulk-billing options, and could be looking at a 60-minute drive for a free consultation.

How are our elected reps promising to fix it?

With a perennial lack of access to high quality and affordable healthcare on the Mid North Coast, each election cycle sees MPs and candidates promising solutions. 

The Mid North Coaster asked MPs and election candidates across the region for their take on the healthcare crisis, and how they’d fix it.

Conaghan says increasing workforce key to change

Cowper MP, Pat Conaghan, and independent candidate for Cowper, Caz Heise, say health is a top priority.

Conaghan, who has represented Cowper since 2019, says he is committed to growing the region’s GP workforce to address increasing shortages through new incentive payments, entitlements and training support. He argues strengthening existing structures is the most effective way to improve access, and also wants to see an increase in Medicare funding, including restoring the mental health treatment plan from 10 subsidised sessions back to 20, and an increase in Telehealth services.

Independent Caz Heise uses her experience as nurse and hospital manager to frame policy

Independent Caz Heise says she has experienced the issues facing the health care industry from the position of an employee and a patient. In 2019 she was diagnosed with cancer, and believes the region needs a larger structural shift.

“As a nurse, hospital manager, and regional healthcare leader, I’ve spent my life improving health services in our community,” Heise told the Mid North Coaster. “I’ve seen firsthand the challenges people face in accessing care, and am deeply committed to improving our healthcare system.”

Heise said she is focused on improving GP access by increasing Medicare rebates, strengthening regional training pathways, and offering incentives like HECS/HELP relief for doctors who work in the regions.

She also wants to see mental health services expand via an increase in funding for local organisations.

Penfold says bulk billing “woefully under serviced”

Alison Penfold, Nationals candidate for Lyne, said access to bulk billing is “woefully under serviced” in the Lyne electorate.

Guardian Australia’s data analysis of dedicated bulk-billing practices in Lyne found a drop of 3.4 per cent between 2023 and 2024.

“Our electorate simply can’t afford to be without readily available bulk billing services,” Penfold told the Mid North Coaster.

Penfold has worked with retiring Lyne MP David Gillespie, and says she is “keen to pursue a number of policies specifically around training, attracting and retaining GPs in the regions”.

She says health should be a non-partisan issue and, if elected, says she’ll work hard to deliver an Urgent Care Clinic in Lyne.