It comes as a number of Bendigo aged care residents go without regular GP visits because they are unable to find a doctor.

Bendigo Health, which operates five aged care facilities in the region, said there was a limited number of GPs who were available to residents in the region.

Murray Primary Health Network said the doctor shortage in aged care reflected a broader problem across central Victoria.

Read more: GP shortage hampers Bendigo aged care residents search for doctors

But a Department of Health spokesperson said the federal government was already addressing the GP shortage.

"The Department of Health funds a number of targeted health workforce programs which provide incentives to doctors to move to, and remain working in, regional, rural and remote Australia," the spokesperson said.

"To ensure we have the right people in locations where they are needed most, the Department of Health has an updated Distribution Priority Area system to facilitate placing medical practitioners in communities of greatest need across Australia.

"Under this system, Bendigo is classified as a DPA and is able to recruit doctors subject to location restrictions, such as overseas trained and bonded doctors.

"This classification provides Bendigo GP clinics with a larger pool of doctors to draw from to increase access to GP services."

Read more: Aged care advocate Ruth Hosking says prime minister's funding won't address all aged care issues

An Australian Medical Association report said low Medicare rebates were also preventing many GPs from working in aged care.

The AMA said the rebates needed to increase in excess of 50 per cent to provide a better incentive for doctors.

The department spokesperson said the government already introduced a new Medicare Benefits Schedule in March.

"The new MBS items include a call-out fee to better support GPs," the spokesperson said.

"This recognises the time they spend away from their regular consultation rooms to provide essential services to patients living in resident aged care facilities."

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.