A THIRD annual networking night was held at Riverside Function Centre on Thursday, February 26 and was attended by about 40 people. The event was hosted by GP Synergy and Inverell Shire Council and Mayor Paul Harmon said it was aimed to increase communication opportunities for visiting GP registrars.
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“A few years ago it was highlighted that our GP registrars come to Inverell, they’re immersed in their work practises, in the surgeries they operate in, or up at the hospital, and they don’t have a great connection with the community,” Cr Harmon said.
“Once their 12 months was up they were leaving town.
“So we are looking at how we can get them to be more involved with the community, be more in touch with the community and be more likely to say ‘Hey look, Inverell’s a pretty good place. Can I extend my training and become part of the community.’ And we’ve had some great results.”
Cr Harmon said Inverell had no more places for GP registrars because all the spaces had been filled, and that was a good thing for the community. GP Synergy is the regional training provider for GP registrars and administers the Australian Practise Training Program.
A few years ago it was highlighted that our GP registrars come to Inverell, they’re immersed in their work practises, in the surgeries they operate in, or up at the hospital, and they don’t have a great connection with the community.
- Inverell Shire mayor Paul Harmon
Regional manager Pat Worthing said medicos usually know the medicos within a month of arriving in town.
“They know who the players at the hospital are, they know all the allied health workers in town, but it takes more than just medical people to make a community,” Mr Worthing said.
“The younger medical students coming out today are not the 70 hour a week old style. They do a 9am to 6pm lifestyle, and they want to be able to pursue a lifestyle outside that as well.
“If a community can offer that then they’ll find a place, they won’t feel as isolated, they’ll feel at home, and then who knows? They might just put their hand up and ask to stay.”
Mr Worthing said GP Synergy had charted data back to 2009 and it showed a success rate of 50 per cent. He said 10 registrars came into the region in that year. This year there will be 37.
There are currently 53 GP registrars training across the New England/Northwest with six GP registrars training in Inverell.
