Kristy McBain seeks urgent advice on potential closure of Curalo Clinic

April Merrick of Creators, the organisation which tried to save Curalo Clinic, Eden from closure said there were no quick fixes.

"In all our discussions there was no inkling that the government had an answer. I don't believe it's solvable in the next 10 years. Only a very small percentage of doctors coming through are electing to work as GPs," Ms Merrick said.

Vice president and chair of the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) Rural, Associate Professor Michael Clements said the system had been decimated in rural and remote communities.

"The total system needs changing and it needs to start with universities making rural doctors a specialty course. We also need to ensure the income is enough to sustain a practice," Professor Clements said.

Increasing population, people living with complex diseases, and having to spend longer with each patient, added to the issues..

"The Eden story is being played out across the country and rural practice is at a tipping point."

Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain said she was seeking urgent advice from the Department of Health as well as South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network in relation to any possible closure of the Curalo Medical Clinic.

ACM has been told Ms McBain is in contact with Health Minister Mark Butler and the primary health care network Coordinare, about Curalo.

"I hope to receive an update soon and will continue to advocate for quality health care for the Eden community," Ms McBain told ACM.

"We recognise the challenge of recruiting and retaining primary health care workers in rural and remote communities. The Albanese Government is undertaking a wide-ranging review to urgently investigate how to more equitably distribute doctors and other health workers around the country through the Working Better for Medicare Review," Ms McBain said.

Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland said the state government was committed to improving access to GPs, "including boosting doctors in our regional GP surgeries as well as hospitals through the single employer model".

"We are also rolling our urgent care and virtual care services to bring healthcare closer to the people who need it," Dr Holland said.

But Professor Clements believes there are other measures that could be taken.

"We do need to make some big changes but the biggest and quickest change that could be made is in relation to overseas trained doctors," Professor Clements said.

"It took me 18 months to get a fully qualified Scottish doctor into Australia and working. It takes between 12 and 18 months to get an overseas doctor in and it should take between six and 12 months," Professor Clements said about red tape issues that slowed the process.

"Many doctors have moved here and they are stepping through the long job of getting assessed, and training in the Australian medical system. We're talking about a group of doctors who have already self-funded their training in another country."

Professor Clements believes Australia should be funding the training needed to convert to the Australian system and provide a quicker turnaround.