In a report handed to the Bunbury Mail last week, the recently established Southwest Medical Attraction Taskforce outlines how it will attract GPs and medical practitioners to the region.

The taskforce was set up to combat Greater Bunbury’s doctor shortage.

According to the report released last month, there is one doctor per 1684 patients in the area.

The Australian Medical Association recommends the ratio to be one doctor per 1200 patients.

Taskforce project consultant Alison Comparti said the report delivered some important findings.

"The committee worked throughout the year to identify issues relating to recruitment and retention of medical practitioners specific to the South West," she said.

"The region is very medically diverse and covers a large area and shortages in medical workforce have very different requirements, challenges, constraints and opportunities.

"This report seeks to offer some recommendations to address them."

Mrs Comparti said it was fundamental the region’s future doctors were given support and looked after.

"The report has confirmed we do have a doctors’ shortage in the South West," she said.

"It’s very important that everyone contributes in making sure our junior doctors have a positive rural experience to encourage them to come back and set up practice."

Recommendations in the report included hiring a taskforce executive officer, encouraging local high school students to study medicine, setting up employment opportunities for Rural Clinical School students, providing a medical partners professional mentor program and an accommodation village set up near the South West Health Campus for visiting medical students, interns, residents and registrars.

Mrs Comparti said before any of the recommendations could be made the taskforce would apply for funding to employ an executive officer who would then enact further recommendations.

"We need to have a coordinated approach to allow the South West to become a desirable destination for medical professionals," Mrs Comparti said.

"They need to be made aware of the lifestyle and opportunities to practice exciting medicine."