Tasmanian Rural Medical Generalist Program - Newsletter Edition 22

Tasmanian Rural Generalist Program

Tasmanian Rural Health Conference, 21-22 March 2020 in the North WestSave the date


In This Edition:

  • Another Successful Tasmanian Rural Health Conference 2019
  • Senator Bridget McKenzie announces funding for the National Rural Generalist Pathway program
  • AGPT applications now open
  • Rural Generalist positions in Mental Health in NW Tasmania
  • Rural Specialist Training Posts Palliative Care in Tasmania
  • Opportunities for Rural Generalists in Antarctica
  • Have you completed your FACRRM or FARGP in Tasmania?
  • Events – 2019/2020·

Another Successful Tasmanian Rural Health Conference 2019

Recently the 2019 TRHC was held in Hobart. The theme was Teamwork in Rural Practice and there were some excellent sessions on various aspects of this including a live link to Dr Meg McKeown at Davis Station to discuss the importance of teamwork in remote locations, a fascinating insight into life on Antarctic Stations. Keynote Speaker:  Dr Meg McKeown

Other presentations on other team models included the Rural Generalist Allied Health training scheme, the Community Rapid Response Service, and Rural Intern programs.

International Guest Speaker Sir Harry Burns (former general surgeon and Chief Medical Officer for ScotlDr Eve Merfield, Sir Harry Burns and Dr Allison Turnockand) gave inspirational presentation that addressed the Social Determinants of Health and focused on how communities can overcome these disadvantages.

You can view Dr Sir Harry Burns 20 minute session delivered at the National Conference starting at 23 minutes 50 seconds with a 2 minute introduction to his background.

As always the sessions on Pathways to Rural Practice with ACRRM and RACGP were both well attended by students and junior doctors.  Other sessions included burnout, managing drug and alcohol problems and paediatrics respiratory infections.

Image - Dr Eve Merfield, Sir Harry Burns, Dr Allison Turnock

An excDr Natalie Burch and Dr Eve Merfieldellent networking dinner was held on the Saturday night at The Lounge Frogmore Creek on the Hobart waterfront.

At the dinner, Rural Generalist Dr Natalie Burch was presented with inaugural RDAT prize for Tasmanian Rural Doctor of the Year for her outstanding commitment to the Scottsdale Community over many years.

The Sunday sessions addressed community based multidisciplinary pain clinic, the emergency response to the recent Tasmanian bush fires and lessons learnt, GP research projects showcase and the RUSTICA student skill stations.

Image - Dr Natalie Burch, Dr Eve Merfield

We look forward to seeing you at TRHC2020 which will be held on the North West Coast on March 21-22, 2020

Dr Peter Arvier

Senator Bridget McKenzie announces funding for the National Rural Generalist Pathway program

Media release Thursday, 28 March 2019

Rural communities will have easier access to doctors and shorter waiting times after the Liberal and Nationals Government announced a $62.2 million 2019-20 Budget investment over four years to fast track the National Rural Generalist Pathway program.

Minister for Regional Services, Sport, Local Government and Decentralisation, Senator Bridget McKenzie, announced the Rural Generalist Pathway funding at the 15th National Rural Health Conference, held in Hobart.

The full media release is available on Bridget McKenzie's web page.

AGPT applications now open

Applications for entry into the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program in 2020 opened on 25 March 2019 for medical doctors who wish to pursue a future career in general practice and/or rural and remote medicine in Australia.  Applications will close on 29 April.

Applicants interested in training through the AGPT Program towards fellowship with ACRRM should contact the College at email agpt@acrrm.org.au and for RACGP at email racgpeducation@racgp.org.au

Rural Generalist positions in Mental Health in NW Tasmania

A six month RMO position in Mental Health will commence in the second half of 2019 working across both Community Services and the Crisis Assessment Team.

In 2020, a 12 month registrar position in Mental Health will commence which will fill the requirements for Rural Generalist Additional Skills training.

For further information on these positions, contact the TRGP office rural.pathways@health.tas.gov.au

or Dr Suchita Telang suchita.telang@ths.tas.gov.au

Rural Generalist positions in Palliative Care in NW Tasmania

The Specialist Palliative Care GP Registrar position is to be advertised in the next two weeks for six months from early August 2019 and for two registrars for six months each in 2020.

The GP registrar position with the Specialist Palliative Care Service- North West will be based in the community and the two local hospitals.   Co funded by the Rural Clinical School and incorporates teaching.

These positions are highly recommended as part of RG training. The six month rotations are recognised for RACGP Extended Skills and ACRRM Primary Rural and Remote training as well as accreditation for the RACP Clinical Diploma in Palliative Medicine.

For further information, contact Dr Rosemary Ramsay on rosemary.ramsay@ths.tas.gov.au or the Tasmanian Government Jobs website.

Opportunities for Rural Generalists in Antarctica

The Centre for Antarctic, Remote and Maritime Medicine (CARMM) was launched recently in Hobart

CARMM is a collaborative network of founding partner organisations based in Hobart. CARMM delivers healthcare in remote and extreme environments training, education, clinical services and research and innovation.

The Australian Antarctic Division Polar Medicine Unit provides mentorship, supervision and training posts for ACRRM registrars and trainees — many have achieved Fellowship (FACRRM) equipped and supported to work in remote and extreme environments. Training posts are supported by face to face intensive training in Tasmania, and remote telehealth enabled education, 24/7 support and supervision at remote sites. ACRRM accredited training posts include Remote Medicine Advanced Specialist Training (AST) and Primary Rural and Remote Medicine.

For further information on RG positions, visit the CARMM website or contact the CARMM Director at email contact@carmm.org.au.

Have you completed your FACRRM or FARGP in Tasmania?

Don’t forget to apply for your Tasmanian Rural Generalist Pathway Certificate of Completion.

Current Vacancies

For THS Registrar Recruitment and other THS/DoH jobs, please visit the Tasmanian Government Jobs website.

For GP registrar placements through GPTT, refer to the GPTT placement process information.

For GP vacancies, please visit HRPlus.

Events – 2019/2020

Check out the Tasmanian Rural Generalist Pathway calendar for events of interest to rural practitioners.

Email sharee.taylor@health.tas.gov.au to have your event included in the calendar.

May 18-19: RACGP Practice Owners National Conference 2019

October 23-27: RDAA/ACRRM Rural Medicine Australia 2019 Conference, Gold Coast

October 24-26: RACGP annual conference GP19, Adelaide

March 21-22 2020: Tasmanian Rural Health Conference, NW Tasmania

This project is funded by the Australian Government through the National Partnership Agreement on Improving Health Services in Tasmania.