Western Australia’s regional and remote health care networks are set to be strengthened with the RFDS in Western Australia achieving national accreditation as a training provider for rural General Practitioners (GPs).
The national accreditation, provided through Australia’s two GP colleges[1], was recently confirmed by the state’s GP training body – Western Australian General Practitioner Education and Training (WAGPET).
RFDS Western Operations’ Clinical Lead of GP Services John Fisher said the accreditation endorses the service as a quality health care provider with in-built education and training capabilities.
Dr Fisher said training would be made available at all RFDS bases across the state and would add value to existing RFDS doctors and foster greater collaboration with external applicants seeking a career as a rural GP.
“RFDS doctors and nurses work hand-in-hand with rural GPs on a daily basis to ensure the best aero medical response and outcomes for critically-ill patients across the state who need us the most,” he said.
“Having rural GPs train on the ground and now on board with RFDS medical crews fosters greater cooperation and mutual understanding of each other’s work environment to boost efficiency and productivity.
“Collaborative partnerships in health care are a cornerstone of health service delivery in the bush and our partnership with WAGPET will see us deliver end-to-end quality health care to benefit people living, working and travelling across rural and remote WA.”
Dr Fisher said interested registrars would have to apply via WAGPET as per usual and RFDS would continue to negotiate with WAGPET around securing suitable candidates for recruitment purposes.
[1]
The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
