Proposed rule change to allow rural generalists to work both in hospitals and GP clinics still not enacted

Last year, the Premier ordered the Department of Health to change the rules and allow rural generalists to expand their scope of practice. But that has still not happened.

Shot of an unrecognisable male doctor writing on a digital tablet while standing inside of a hospital during the day. picture: iStock

The state government says it will provide an update “in the near future” about a rule change Premier Jeremy Rockliff ordered the Department of Health to make in August last year.

During The Mercury Bush Summit, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine Regional Director of Training Sally Street spoke about GPs having to fly interstate for shifts because a health policy prevents them from using their skills in Tasmanian hospitals.

She appealed to health authorities to change the rules so rural generalists could work in Tasmania’s primary and secondary care.

Mercury editor Craig Herbert interviews Premier Jeremy Rockliff at the Mercury Bush Summit in Launceston. Picture: Rob Burnett

Mr Rockliff was in the audience at the Bush Summit when Dr Street spoke about the issue.

“The government has directed the department to allow qualified rural generalists to provide services in our major hospitals, where there are gaps and where they can assist in providing care for Tasmanians sooner,” he said in August.

“We will also seek to utilise rural generalists in our District Hospitals, noting surgeries are currently not performed in these facilities.

“We support this work and have asked for it to be progressed as a priority.”

But Dr Street said there had been little progress since August.

“We haven’t received anything by way of official updates,” she said.

“The conversations we’re attempting to have at ground level are indicating to us that there really isn’t much in the way of progress.”

Doctor Sally Street regional director of training Tas ACRRM. The Mercury Bush Summit in Launceston. Picture: Rob Burnett

Dr Street said she wanted a date for when rural generalists would be able to work across multiple health services.

“I understand there are still things that will need to be worked through to have it set up safely and sustainably.

“We want that date so we can all start working towards it more seriously – otherwise, the risk is that it just keeps going on and on, these changes are never made, and the people of Tasmania never get this benefit.”

Health Minister Jacquie Petrusma said work was being done to make the changes for rural generalists.

“The Chief Medical Officer (Dinesh Arya) has been doing a whole body of work in regards to rural generalists,” Ms Petrusma said.

“Recently, he undertook a survey – not only in Tasmania, but Australia-wide – to see what interest there are from rural generalists to work in Tasmania.”

Jacquie Petrusma Health Minister and Liberal member for Franklin. First sitting day for the House of Assembly in the Tasmanian parliament for 2025. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Petrusma said the Department of Health had received 70 responses from people interested in working as rural generalists in Tasmania.

“So the chief medical officer is going to the northwest coast next week to meet with hospital leadership teams and to see what gaps are available that we could fill.

“It is (announcing the next steps in the rural generalists pathway for working in the Tasmanian health system) 400-day commitments; it’s in our next 100-day planning, so we’ll have more to announce in the near future.”