Workforce Support for Rural General Practice
Description
The Shoalhaven Division of General Practice Workforce Support for Rural General Practice Programme (WSRGP) is funded by the Federal Department of Health & Aged.The programme is part of a package of education, training and workforce initiatives under the Regional Health Strategy designed to address the short, medium and long-term needs of the medical workforce in rural & regional Australia.
The WSRGP programme focuses on providing support to the general practice workforce who are providing services in rural divisions on a regular basis, including those working in group practices, solo practices, public & private hospitals and Aboriginal Medical Services.
The WSRGP package includes:
- Encouragement of divisional long term practicing general practitioners to pursue post-graduate training in medicine by the allocation of funds to assist in payment of training
- Improved practice support by provide relevant training in areas of need for practice management & nurses
- Rural recruitment of general practitioners to represent the division on committees aimed at improving the rural health in NSW areas
- Assistance in recruitment of health professionals such as general practitioners and practice staff
- Provision of advocacy for rural general practitioners
- Assistance to general practitioners and their families by provision of a support service
- Development of a programme to encourage general practitioners to care for their own health.
Division Support – How we can help you ?
Accreditation
The Division offers practices support with the accreditation process:
- A pre-accreditation practice visit is available to assess various aspects of a practice undergoing accreditation review.
- Assistance is available from the Division with the development of practice manuals, patient surveys, practice signs, and so on.
To access support with the accreditation process
Practice Managers
The Division facilitates a Practice Managers Network meeting. Meetings are conducted on a quarterly basis. Future education and guest speaker opportunities are determined through the meetings, which are chaired by alternating Practice Managers.
Practice Managers and/or staff are welcome to attend.
To find out more about the Practice Managers Meetings or to request practice support, phone the Division or
Practice Nurses
Practice Nurse Network meetings are conducted in both Milton/Ulladulla and Nowra on a bimonthly basis. Meetings provide both an educational forum and a networking opportunity for local Practice Nurses. Meetings are held during a workday lunch hour.
A quarterly evening education session is provided to Practice Nurses based on identified need.
Practice Nurse support is available by either phoning the Division or by
Recruitment of GPs
Recruitment of General Practitioners to join practices in the area can be facilitated through the division.
Practices will need to apply for “Area of need” or “Area of workplace shortage” if they wish to contract the services of an overseas trained doctor (OTD). All paperwork pertaining to employment of OTD’s can be accessed by contacting the Division or the Rural Doctors Network.