Dr Jim Thurley of the Northern Territory (NT) has been recognised by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) with a 2020 Distinguished Service Award for his considerable contribution to Rural Emergency Skills Training (REST).

Dr Thurley’s passion to ensure the next generation of Rural Generalists has access to high quality training was a crucial factor leading to the REST course being established in the Northern Territory and South Africa. His work on the REST Standards and Development Committee is also a notable contribution to general practice training standards.  

It was Dr Thurley's time as a Medical Advisor for the NT Workforce Agency where he found a gaping need for an emergency care courses that saw him become involved with ACRRM to facilitate emergency training for GPs.  

“In 2003 I discovered the REST course and with the help of ACRRM Censor in Chief Dr David Campbell I introduced the it into the NT, holding two or three courses each year. Since then, I have instructed up to 12 courses a year,” Dr Thurley says.

When learning of his nomination and selection for the award, Dr Thurley acknowledged feeling both, “honoured and humbled, but also proud that some of my peers considered me suitable for this award”. 

“It pleases me that by teaching on the REST course I may have helped some rural and remote medical practitioners perform emergency medicine to a better standard.” 

Chair of the REST Course, Standards and Development Committee Dr Pat Giddings, adds that Dr Thurley was also involved in setting up a neonatal resuscitation course in South Africa in the early 2000s. “This resulted in over 400 practitioners being trained in neonatal resuscitation with a huge impact on underprivileged communities in that country,” he says.  

Originally from London, Dr Thurley’s GP career in Australia started as a Locum in rural New South Wales and includes working with the Kalgoorlie Flying Doctor Service and training in Peadiatrics at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Perth. 

After an extraordinary 16 years of contributing to the delivery of REST, Dr Thurley has decided to retire from medical practice and instructing.

Dr Thurley was one of three award winners announced this year. Also presented were Dr Deborah Simmons from Proserpine, Queensland and Veeraja Uppal from Melbourne, Victoria.