The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is showcasing the benefits of rural training and life in New South Wales to encourage more GP registrars to consider training in rural communities.
Representatives from general practices in Inverell, Moree, Griffith, Deniliquin, and Broken Hill will get to showcase their communities and the training opportunities at their practice at a workshop for GP registrars in Parramatta today.
RACGP NSW Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman said GPs are essential for the health and wellbeing of rural communities.
"Everyone deserves the quality care you get from a GP who knows you and your history," she said.
"As the peak body responsible for training 90% of Australia's general practitioners, the RACGP knows how important it is to get GPs training in rural communities.
"Registrars who grow up in urban areas may not be exposed to rural life, and you can't be what you can't see. Our showcase will highlight rural training opportunities and life in Inverell, Moree, Griffith, Deniliquin and Broken Hill.
"Being a rural GP is really rewarding. Rural GPs play a central role in their community and often get to practice a wider range of skills, as there's few local specialists or other health professionals for people to turn to. Rural GPs will often gain extended skills in areas like emergency medicine and paediatrics to meet the needs of their community."
Keith Fletcher, CEO of a group of practices including Your Health, is seeking registrars to work in Griffith. He said there is much to love about being a rural GP.
"New registrars coming to a rural community will see locals are very appreciative of the fact they're there," he said.
"GPs are an important part of the community, and they can really feel it and get a sense of their value in a rural community because locals get it; they know the local GPs are relied on for the majority of their health needs.
"Training in a rural community is a great way for a registrar to gain experience. They'll typically see a wide variety of health issues and become part of the practice team.
"Having registrars is one of the greatest things we've done for our practices. They bring their own experience and training, and the more experienced doctors take them under their wing, and this sharing of experience and ideas makes the practice stronger."
Dr Hoffman is also calling on the NSW Government to fund an incentive for doctors to train as specialist GPs in NSW.
"We know one of the biggest barriers to GP training is the pay discrepancy for registrars leaving hospital and going into private practice – an incentive payment is a simple and effective fix," she said.
"There was a big increase in the number of GPs training in Victoria after their government offered an incentive of up to $40,000 for doctors to train as GPs.
"We're calling for the NSW Government to provide a similar incentive. This investment will get more GPs training and living across New South Wales, with immediate benefits for these rural communities."
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