RDWA

An expert panel working with the Rural Doctors Workforce Agency has reported to State Government on how to increase the number of Australian trained resident GPs for rural South Australia.

Adjunct Professor Belinda Moyes, Chief Executive of Country Health SA, released the Road to Rural General Practice report (R2RGP) today before 90 rural GPs at the RDWA Annual Conference at Glenelg.

RDWA CEO Ms Lyn Poole who chaired the Expert Panel, said she was delighted that Professor Moyes has welcomed the report, which demonstrates that SA has the ability to attract, educate and train rural GPs.

‘Most importantly, this announcement recognises that rural general practice is a highly-valued specialist career,‘ Ms Poole said.

One of the recommendations in the report is that Country Health SA be declared a major teaching hospital, which will allow more interns to be placed in rural services for their entire intern year.

‘That will allow them to learn first hand the rich mix of service provided by rural GPs in their local practice and in the hospital.'

‘It will make an enormous difference to junior doctors to have most of their training from the end of medical school provided by rural doctors in rural locations.'

Ms Poole paid tribute to the panel of experts from South Australia’s universities, general practice training providers, the Australian Medical Association, the Rural Doctors Association and the Department of Health who led the project and to the many people who contributed through workshops and broad consultation.

To see the full report click here.

For more information or interview contact Lesley Johns 0412 583 577.

The RDWA has commenced work on a project designed to get more Australian trained doctors into rural areas of South Australia.

The Rural Pathway project was launched today by Health Minister John Hill at the RDWA AGM.

The project has been commissioned by Country Health SA.

"We have invited organisations who influence and manage key components of doctor education and training" said RDWA CEO Lyn Poole.

Ms Poole said the response from these organisations has been terrific.

"With an expert panel to oversee the project, including Commonwealth and State government GP colleges, training bodies, Universities and the peak bodies, we have the capacity, capability and the desire to find a solution."

"All of these organisations make a very positive contribution to rural medicine. Our collective challenge is to maximise the number of young people choosing to become rural GPs" she said.

Students, graduates and registrars will be consulted through a series of focus groups.

"As they are our future workforce it is vital that the proposed outcomes are contemporary and include their views" said Ms Poole.

Once the project has determined a model that will suit South Australia, it is expected a pilot program will be undertaken.

"This is an exciting project as the end result will mean having more Australian trained GPs and GP Proceduralists to service the needs of our rural communities."

For further information contact RDWA media adviser, Lesley Johns 0412 583 577.