In a letter to practice principal of the Shoalhaven Family Medical Centre Annette Pham, the new Regional Health Minister David Gillespie said a review of the Distribution Priority Area (DPA) system for GPs will be undertaken, with a response to be given by the end of the year.

"I have asked the Department of Health to review the policy and methodology underpinning the DPA for GPs classification system," Dr Gillespie outlined in the letter.

"I have asked that the review be ambitious in its intent, open to innovative thinking and broadly consultative to ensure that concerns are addressed.

"I anticipate it will commence soon and report by the end of 2021. Please be assured that I will move quickly to address any recommendations."

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The DPA system identifies locations where people don't have enough access to doctors, based on the needs of the community.

The DPA uses an algorithm to decide whether a region should be a priority area, taking into account gender and age demographics, and the socio-economic status of patients living in an area.

International medical graduates who are GPs need to work in a DPA to access Medicare.

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Ms Pham said the data used to determine DPAs does not reflect what is on the ground, calling the system a "failure" that has put regional general practices in "crisis" and has been lobbying for it to be overhauled to meet the needs of the community.

Ms Pham welcomed Dr Gillespie's response and said the DPA for Nowra and the Bay and Basin area will also be specifically reviewed with a response promised from Dr Gillespie in the next three weeks.

"It's the first positive response opening for a review that we have received in over three years of lobbying," said Ms Pham.

"Prior to this, all our feedback from the Department of Health and Minister Hunt was basically if you think your area is bad, other practices in different areas are worse off.

"So it feels like they're finally listening. I believe that because David Gillespie is a doctor, he has insight into what it's like on the ground. And that reflects in his letter and in what he has proposed to do."

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Dr Gillespie also said the NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) are hiring additional doctors in the Shoalhaven "in response to the significant pressures facing the area" and that he is encouraging them to take an "active role" in hiring more.

A spokesperson from the RDN confirmed they are working to hire nine new doctors in the region.

"NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) provides tailored recruitment support to remote, rural and regional practices. RDN assists practices as required, and we currently have nine vacancies advertised in the Shoalhaven region," said the spokesperson.

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The shortage of general practitioners across the federal electorate of Gilmore has become the subject of a Senate inquiry.

The Senate inquiry into the provision of GPs within regional, rural, and outer metropolitan areas nationwide is now open for submissions, but a final report will not be handed down until next year.

Gilmore MP Fiona Philips backed the inquiry following months of lobbying.

"The GP shortage issue in my electorate is at crisis point," Mrs Phillips said.

"In the Bay and Basin area alone, we have seen seven doctors retire, with the one remaining doctor, at the Sanctuary Point Medical Centre, also retiring soon and no replacement in sight.

"The shortage of GPs is certainly not limited to the Bay and Basin area, definitely throughout the Shoalhaven, particularly around Nowra and Worrigee there are increasing demands given the elderly population."

The link to the Senate inquiry and to make a submission is here.

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