Dr Hamish Eske
Working towards recognition of rural generalist medicine
Dr Michael Beckoff
ACRRM representative on the National Rural Generalist Recognition Taskforce
MBBS, FACRRM, FAICD, Assoc. Dipl. Agric (Dist)
Public consultation: Application for the recognition of Rural Generalist Medicine as a new field of specialty practice. Opens 17 October 2023, closes 12 December 2023. The consultation paper provides information on how to make your submission.
The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) have been working together with the Office of the Rural Health Commissioner since November 2019 to form the National Rural Generalist Recognition Taskforce. The Taskforce is seeking to facilitate recognition of Rural Generalism as a specialist field within general practice.
Many meetings have occurred between the two GP Colleges, ably chaired by the Rural Health Commissioner – initially Professor Paul Worley and now Professor Ruth Stewart – to progress this recognition. The Australian Medical Council (AMC) and Medical Board of Australia (MBA) as well as the Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) have been consulted as well as other medical colleges and many other stakeholders. We are delighted to be acknowledged as having achieved ‘Stage 1’ status in the overall process. Our efforts are now focussed on ‘Stage 2’, which is well underway.
This recognition is vital to ensure the success of the Rural Generalist Training Pathway programs in each state and territory, facilitated by the Rural Generalist Coordination Units in each jurisdiction. Skilled and well trained Rural Generalists provide valued services to rural and remote communities and with the expansion and success of this program, comes positive health outcomes and a much needed stable workforce.
The national consultation is now open and closes on Tuesday, 12 December 2023. The Consultation Paper has been published and circulated to key stakeholders. All interested individuals and organisations are encouraged to provide feedback.
Latest Update from the Rural Generalist Recognition Taskforce: Progress Update October 2023
Links for more information:
RACGP: Recognition of rural generalist medicine
ACRRM: Joint release: Recognition of rural generalist medicine clears first hurdle
Drs Abby Moore, Jessica Martyn, Lloyd Weir and Harry Gaffney with Kylee Nuss, TMO Manager, Rural Support Service
RGPSA News and Stories
News
Australian Medical Students Association Conference 2023
The Rural Generalist Program South Australia gave the Plenary session at the Australian Medical Students Association (AMSA) Careers Conference 2023 in Adelaide on 29th March 2023. Kylee Nuss, Manager of the Trainee Medical Officer Unit, Rural Support Service, SA Health introduced the RGPSA and guest speakers Dr Harry Gaffney, Dr Abby Moore, Dr Jessica Martyn and Dr Lloyd Weir speaking about their experiences training in rural South Australia.
AMSA Plenary Session Video – RGPSA
Rural Generalists of SA
June 2023 Profile – Dr Abby Moore
March 2023 Profile – Dr Harry Gaffney
October 2022 – Dr Emma Wang, Scholarship recipient
April 2022 Profile – Dr Wissam Ghamrawi
March 2022 Profile – Dr Gerard Quigley
February 2022 Profile – Dr Kellie Mibus
January 2022 Profile – Dr Philippa Knowler
Left to right: Dr Jessica Farrar, Stewart Woods
Notices
Call for Applications
Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program second intake
The AGPT program offers fully Commonwealth-funded Fellowship training in the speciality of general practice
AGPT through Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) program now open
AGPT through Royal Australian College of General Practice (RACGP) program 2024 intake now open
Rural Procedural Consolidation Term Grants – call for applications
The Rural Generalist Program South Australia (RGPSA) invites applications for Rural Procedural Consolidation Term Grants to support Rural Generalist registrars or Fellowed GPs towards the consolidation of new skills development or require upskilling in an existing skill after significant time away from advanced skills practice.