GPs are stepping up calls to boost the Northern Territory's general practice workforce, particularly in regional centres and remote communities, so that all patients can access care from a GP who knows them, and their history.
The increasing importance of generalist skills, especially in areas of workforce need, was a recurring theme at the weekend's inaugural NT Rural and Remote Medicine Conference in Darwin, which was attended by a host of key primary care figures, as well as the Assistant Minister for Rural Health, the Hon. Emma McBride.
The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) Northern Territory Provost, Associate Professor Emma Kennedy, stressed the benefits of working as a GP in the Territory and encouraged more junior and future doctors to do the same.
'"We're making headway, but at the conference I spoke to many people who agreed GPs are still sorely needed in regional and remote communities Territory-wide and so boosting the Territory's GP workforce must be a priority," she said.
"We're urging the Territory and local governments to work together to attract and retain GPs. This could include offering housing, childcare, and support for spousal employment, as well as other benefits to improve the appeal of working as a GP in a rural or remote area. Our remote communities, and our regional centres like Alice Springs, Katherine, Nhulunbuy and Tennant Creek offer such rewarding opportunities for GPs, and sometimes they just need a little extra support to get them there."
The RACGP and General Practice Registrars Australia currently offer scholarship grants ranging from $5000– $20,000 to attract GP registrars to train and work in the Territory, and Dr Kennedy encouraged all those eligible to take full advantage and experience the unique benefits of living and working in the Territory – especially in rural and remote areas.
"As a GP working outside of a major capital city, you'll be immensely valued and supported by your community, and the scope of practice is so far-reaching– no two days will be the same," she said.
Dr Kennedy also pointed out that those who take up the offer will join a rapidly growing cohort of registrar GPs.
"The College is working hard to secure the future of the local GP workforce," she said.
"This year, we're training 52 registrars in the Territory, including three who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. This is more than 30% growth compared to last year, so it's a huge step forward. Looking ahead to next year, the results look positive, we're ahead of schedule in terms of registrars accepting offers, particularly outside of major cities where GPs are needed most. So, let's keep up the momentum and go even further."
RACGP Rural Chair, Associate Professor Michael Clements, also attended the conference, and called for reforms to encourage more doctors from overseas to work in Australia.
"We're working closely with the Federal Government to keep cutting red tape holding back international medical graduates [IMGs] from working in Australia. These doctors are a lifeline for rural and remote communities," he said.
"Despite recent progress, the pathway for these doctors moving to Australia and starting work remains a bureaucratic headache. It's just far too complicated and costly, and if we don't act, these doctors will opt for other countries. We need to streamline the entire process by speeding up visa processing and having a single application portal so that applicants only have to submit their paperwork once. The Kruk report recommendations zeroed in on these impediments that are holding us back, and now we need action.
"The RACGP has acted to simplify processes for these doctors, but at government level, we can and should go further – we must ensure these doctors are supported, and feel supported in their community.
"Every patient in the Territory, no matter their postcode or income, deserves access to high-quality general practice care. No patient should be left behind."
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