A GP clinic in south-west Victoria has taken the extraordinary step of seeking an in-house childcare worker to combat crippling childcare shortages in the region.
Six of Active Health Portland's eight GPs and nurses have pre-school age children, but can't find enough childcare for them to enable them to work the hours they want.
The clinic's clinical director, Marg Garde, said staff were relying on partners or older family members "to cease work in order to care for their children", but the solution wasn't sustainable.
"We are not the only employer [in Portland] experiencing a threat to its workforce due to the lack of childcare," Dr Garde said.
"Obstacles to accessing childcare exist for everyone and we acknowledge that this problem is multifactorial, complex and widespread.
"We no longer have access to family daycare in Portland and I understand it is difficult across the board to find staff to care for children.
"If there is someone, or more than one person, interested in caring for the cutest bunch of young children in Portland, we would like them to contact us with a view to employment."
Active Health Portland GP Brittany Butten said the lack of childcare options affected the hours she could work and the number of patients she could treat.
"I am booked months in advance and it's heartbreaking seeing my patients either struggle awaiting our appointments together or worse," Dr Butten said.
"I am doing my best to fit patients in but the reality is there are only so many hours available, even with my partner working less hours to accommodate my career."
Capacity reached
Goodstart Early Learning Child Care Centre director Jess Hutchins said there was a 12-month waiting list at her facility.
"There is definitely a high demand for childcare services in Portland," Ms Hutchins said.
"It's not just about workers — our rooms are packed as full as our licence will allow.
"We have staff but we can't take any more children.
"We need another facility in Portland."
The state Labor government promised it would build 50 new childcare centres if re-elected last November, including one in Portland.
It is expected to be up-and-running by 2028 at the latest.
