ACRRM applauds the announcement of a new trial allocating an additional 60 Rural Generalist (RG) and General Practice (GP) places on the new Single Employer Model (SEM)  in South Australia.  

The announcement, made by Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler, gives more GPs and RG registrars the option of being employed directly by the South Australian Health Service. 

ACRRM President Dr Dan Halliday says SEMs are a key strategy toward building a strong RG workforce. 

“The College supports SEMS being provided as part of a range of employment options, to ensure Rural Generalists can gain the skills they need across primary care, hospital, and other healthcare settings.  

“SEMs have the dual benefit of supporting medical careers, while addressing the workforce shortage in rural, remote and First Nations communities. 

“Attaining a RG skillset involves training across multiple workplaces and is a more complex training journey than general GP Fellowship. 

“The model allows registrars to have a single employer while placed in practices across the state, instead of having to change employers every six or 12 months with each new placement. 

“Where there is strong cooperation between participating RGs, practices, and health services, it streamlines training, smoothing the way for registrars to focus on skills development rather than administrative burden.” 

This new trial is in addition to the success of the Riverland Academy of Clinical Excellence (RACE) in the Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN), which commenced in 2022. 

It will cover five regional and rural Local Health Networks (LHNs) in Barossa Hills and Fleurieu, Eyre and Far North, Flinders and Upper North, Yorke and Northern, and Limestone Coast. 

Dr Halliday adds that SEM programs are helping to make RG more attractive as a career. 

“They offer positive employment conditions which support registrar wellness and enables them to maintain and accrue leave and other entitlements. 

“Importantly, it also supports better integrated patient care, which ultimately benefits the rural, remote and First Nation’s communities where Rural Generalists live and work.”  

Read the ACRRM position statement on the role of SEM in remote and rural health services here. 

 

ENDS