Visas for GPs initiative is not the answer to better rural health services

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) says the recently announced Visas for GPs initiative should be regarded as a small component of a coordinated strategy to recruit and retain a skilled rural and remote medical workforce, led by the implementation of a National Rural Generalist Pathway.

“ACRRM’s vision is to have the right doctors in the right places with the right skills, providing rural and remote people with excellent health care,” ACRRM President Dr Ewen McPhee says. 

“The College acknowledges the intent of the Visas for GPs initiative is to direct doctors into rural, remote and regional areas of Australia where there is a lack of health services. 

“While we recognise the government is working to increase the number of doctors working in rural and remote areas, we need to ensure the focus remains on the longer-term objective of improving health outcomes for rural and remote Australians through increased access to a skilled medical workforce,” Dr McPhee continues.

“We appreciate the important role that Overseas Trained Doctors have played, and continue to play, in providing health care in rural and remote communities – but we must continue to work towards growing our own rural doctors.

“Introducing a National Rural Generalist pathway would be a significant step towards achieving this objective. 

“It would also send a clear message that rural and remote medical practice is a rewarding and recognised career path.”

GPs are often the first point of contact for rural and remote people who are seeking treatment for a wide range of healthcare needs. They work with an extended scope of practice which includes primary mental health care; coordination of clinical care; dealing with emergencies; and managing dual diagnoses and special populations including elderly, children and intellectually disabled patients.

“We must consistently work towards ensuring that rural communities have access to doctors who are skilled rural generalists trained and supported to meet their health care needs,” Dr McPhee says.