Positive PR drive underway to lure doctors to regional areas as bush feels strain

A new campaign is hoping to drive an uptick in doctors heading to the bush from the big smoke, to help boost the morale of rural medicos.

Medicos are calling on ­locals to help boost the morale of their struggling regional colleagues in a bid to retain staff and attract more city doctors to the bush.

Peak body NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) has launched the Rural Positive campaign to give a shout-out to frontline workers who have done it tough over the past 18 months.

Chief executive Richard Colbran said he hoped the initiative will boost the morale of the bush workforce.

“Keeping our health workforce strong, well and capable during these challenging times is paramount for ­retention and recruitment,” he said.

Orthopaedic surgeon Peter Kilby headed back to the bush after seven years training in Sydney. Picture: supplied

“We also acknowledge that rural health ­professionals need respite and RDN and the health ­sector is looking at ways to help.”

Beyond taking on their medical duties, scores of ­regional doctors are going above and beyond to lure young trainees to their towns.

Among them is orthopaedic surgeon Peter Kilby who moved to Bathurst in 2014 after seven years ­working at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Dr Kilby was among the first cohorts of ­regional students who were supported in going to the city and studying medicine.

“There were 20 spots for rural students in 1999 and I was part of that rural scheme. Lots of those 20 have come back to the country,” he said.

Dr Kilby is determined to mentor upcoming medicos to keep them in the bush. “I ­encourage them to stay by providing them work. My role isn’t a formal role, it’s just about making sure their country rotation is good,” he said.