Darling Downs is top spot to train new health workers

Darling Downs health professionals have inspired the new generation of health workers to get their start in rural locations around the region.

Health care professionals and GP practices in Darling Downs and West Moreton play a critical role in educating and inspiring the next generation of GPs to consider a rural future.

Darling Downs health care workers and GP clinics have played critical role in inspiring the new generation of GPs in regional areas across the Darling Downs.

Health care professionals across the region, mainly general and indigenous practices and other health care partners, were recognised at an event on Thursday, hosted by the Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN and General Practice Training Queensland.

Local frontline workers were praised for their role in training, inspiring, and supervising up and coming regional GPs, something that General Practice Training Queensland CEO Kathie Sadler said could not be understated.

“COVID-19 has taught us the value of building and maintaining strong relationships and partnerships,’’ she said.

“We want to gain a better understanding from our healthcare partners about what is needed locally to encourage more general practitioners to stay in the regional areas they train in and continue to deliver great health care across regional Australia.

“We think the best way to build this knowledge is by building stronger connections and trusted relationships with our partners face-to-face.’’

Ms Sadler said practices partnering with GPTQ across the Darling Downs and West Moreton region provided more than a workplace and supervision for registrars undertaking training in the general practice specialty.

“Our practice partners connect our registrars to the community, helping them to put down roots in the local area and think about a professional future outside the urban environment,’’ she said.

“We’re looking to work with them to inspire medical students to consider a rural career as a way of creating a positive shift in medical workforce distribution.

“One of the most critical factors known to influence general practitioners to work in regional areas is having a background in that area.

“Our research shows that registrars, wherever they originally come from, are more likely to establish long-term ties to regional communities if they train in that community.

“On average, 30 per cent of our rural Registrars who completed training in the last three years have continued to live and work in the South East Queensland rural footprint after graduating.”