The struggle to attract and retain enough doctors in the Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands appears to be getting even harder.

The Rural Doctors Association of Australia claims medical recruitment companies have already started targeting our overseas trained GP's following the removal of special visa conditions.

Under the former rule it was condition of entry to Australia that the doctors had to spend up to 10 years in the bush before being allowed to settle in the city.

Association C-E-O Peta Rutherford said "Our communities have relied on these overseas trained doctors.

"About 40 per cent of the rural medical workforce are overseas trained doctors and without this policy in place , we are concerned it will drain doctors from the bush," Ms Rutherford said.

She said, "Doctors who are working out there  are being targeted by recruiters to come back into some outer metropolitan areas."

Images: Pixabay free images