Michael Woodhead

 6 Minutes.com.au

Grey nomads are being told to plan ahead for any medical needs because country GPs are already overloaded and may not be able to help them for routine care.

With tens of thousands of older Australians expected to visit areas such as the Kimberley each year, the local doctors are warning that the already stretched services cannot cope with the expected three-fold peak season increase in population.

“Access to general practice is already difficult in the off season. In peak times it is even harder to

get an appointment. Visitors that need non-urgent treatment can face delays in accessing health care services which can then impact on their travel plans” says Matt Burrows, CEO of the Kimberley Division of General Practice.

Dr Peter Smith, Senior Medical Officer at Nickol Bay Hospital is advising travellers to visit their own GP before leaving home to get a check up and stock up on medicines.

“Visitors should be aware that access to health services is far more difficult than in urban centres,” he says

“In many areas the health services are even further stretched as they rely on visiting district medical officers on either weekly or alternate days. And services such as pharmacies are not just round the corner.

As well as having a pre-travel check up, grey nomads are advised to bring a copy of their complete medical history, a list of current medications and allergies, ensure their vaccinations are up to date and bring medications with adequate prescriptions.