GP Workforce: How Can We Help?
The Division recognises the existing challenges in attracting, recruiting and retaining rural GPs. As such, the Division's workforce activities fall into three broad categories: recruitment assistance, GP retention/well-being, and workforce planning.
1. Assistance with GP Recruitment
The GP recruitment landscape is complex and under significant change as the country progresses towards national registration. While these changes are opening up new opportunities, the process of recruiting and appointing a new GP is quite complicated.
Although the Rural Doctors Network (RDN) is the state-based workforce agency charged with GP recruitment, the Division works with RDN to provide on-the-ground GP recruitment assistance to Central West general practices. The Division can:
- Provide information and resources on current workforce incentives, restrictions, programs and recruitment pathways;
- Connect practices to appropriate workforce agencies at each step of the recruitment process;
- Provide recruitment advice to practices, referring to other agencies/bodies where appropriate;
- Distribute candidate CVs to recruiting general practices;
- Provide on-the ground support and information to Central West GP candidates;
- Assist with the facilitation of site visits and observerships for eligible candidates;
- Financially cover the costs of Area of Need interviews for candidates from one and two-doctor towns. For more information on the Division's grant and applicant eligibility, download the Division's Area of Need Support Policy.
2. Support for GP Retention
The Division provides professional support to GPs through the broad range of practice support services and program activities. Examples include the Division's Continuing Professional Development program, accreditation support, networking facilitation and information dissemination. See below for additional workforce support activtities.
New GP Orientation
Division Practice Liaison staff are able to meet with GPs new to a Central West position and provide a Welcome Pack with resources relevant to the Central West and working in general practice in Australia. At this initial meeting, follow-up areas of support may be identified.
GP Health Assessments
The demands on rural GPs are considerable. The Division supports a preventive approach to health, and is interested in supporting the health of rural GPs by increasing access to and financially supporting GP members to undertake a health assessment at the St Vincent's Clinic in Sydney. All GP primary members are eligible for this support, however resources are limited; interested GPs must contact the Division in advance to ensure funding is available. For more information on undertaking a health assessment, download the Division's GP Health Assesment Policy.
Locum Subsidies
General Practitioners in one-and two-doctor towns often provide the only local doctor services in their communities. They are often on-call 24/7 and usually rely on locum services if they require a break from their practices for personal or professional reasons. To address this need, the Division offers at limited number $1000 locum subsidies to help offset the costs of a minimum one-week locum replacement. A maximum of one subsidy is available per practice is available per financial year. For more information on eligibility and payment, download the Division's Locum Subsidy Policy. To apply for the subsidy, download the Locum Subsidy Application Form.
Family Support
The Division recognises the importance of GPs' families well-being, and aims to support the entire GP family living and working in the area. Please contact the Division if you need professional or personal support. For further information on community services and programs, go to Living and Working in the Central West.
3. Rural Workforce Planning
The Division is working to address issues surrounding the future GP regional workforce through the following activities:
- Mapping and monitoring GP services in the Central West;
- Participation in regional initiatives to address current and future health workforce needs;
- Community mobilisation and capacity building;
- Support for 'grow your own' health workforce approaches, including in-practice support for GP Registrars and Medical Students;
- Partnering with other stakeholders on regional intiatives;
- Political lobbying; and,
- Investigation of alternative primary care models.
What Can The Division Not Do?
- Negotiate locum or permanent apointment rates and contracts on behalf of a practice;
- Assess candidates as being appropriate for specific positions;
- Recommend a specific locum or recruitment company;
- Simplify the paperwork in appointing an international medical graduate to general practice;
- Provide immigration advice; and,
- Disclose confidential information to third parties without prior permission.