Explore New England/ Northwest CONTENTS

Welcome to New England/ 4 Northwest

Why go New England/ 7 Northwest?

Rural generalism 8

Aboriginal health 10

How can we help you get there 12

Explore our towns and 14 practices Welcome to THE NEW ENGLAND/ NORTHWEST New England/ TRAINING SUBREGION

The New England/Northwest subregion stretches from the Queensland/NSW border in the north, to Northwest in the south. TRAINING IN NEW ENGLAND/ NORTHWEST NSW

There are 16 towns across New England/ Northwest with accredited training facilities. With more than 30 training facilities and 80 GP supervisors across the subregion there are many training opportunities, including four Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services offering Aboriginal health training posts. LIVING IN NEW ENGLAND/ NORTHWEST

The subregion is known for its great rural lifestyle. It is a key area for agriculture, mining including gemstones, producing gourmet food and fine wine, and tourism. Aboriginal and historic heritage are recognised throughout the subregion, and there are exciting festivals and events throughout the year, art and DR JAMES MARSHALL Mungindi cultural experiences, and welcoming communities. "I grew up on a farm near Black Mountain The regional cities of Tamworth and Armidale just north of Armidale, so not far from are the largest centres in the subregion, offering where I’m now training in Manilla (about extensive shopping, dining, and arts and cultural 160 km west of Armidale). opportunities. I was working in the UK helping There is a network of airports across the subregion run an international health risk Glen Innes making travel to and other destinations management program. After that, I relatively easy. retrained as a doctor with a view to returning to the country to become a Bingara Joining a sporting team, community or volunteer rural GP. group is a great way to get to know people. There Wee Waa Guyra are sporting facilities and sporting teams catering I think working rurally is a great for a myriad of sports. Whether you're interested experience for doctors in training, Barraba Narrabri in the arts, conservation or helping out in times of as you develop such diverse skills need there are groups always happy to welcome which are so useful to the whole new members. community. As a relatively junior Manilla doctor in the country you get early Whether you're single or have a family there exposure to working independently are great options for living and working in New and utilising procedural skills which Walcha England/Northwest. help you develop professionally.

Rural communities are very welcoming and supportive, and they are really appreciative of the Quirindi For more information about training with GP Synergy, service you offer, so it is rewarding request a copy of our applicant pack. as you feel you are contributing to something worthwhile."

Explore New England/Northwest | 5 WHY GO DR MATTHEW CHAN NEW ENGLAND/ FROM SYDNEY TO NORTHWEST NEW ENGLAND/ NORTHWEST "There’s quite a lot to like about training in New England/Northwest! The main thing is the experiences I’ve had. When I’ve had a chat to the city MAKE A DIFFERENCE guys it’s been really, really different. They are always really surprised Going rural is a unique and rewarding training by the extent of medicine that we experience. Who knows how long you might decide do. I found it quite difficult to begin to stay? Serving a rural community even for a short with but in hindsight now that I’m time can make a big difference. Even if you do decide towards the end of my training, it was to move on, you can do so knowing you made an great I was able to learn a lot more, important contribution to a community in need during troubleshoot a lot more, I got to learn your time there. things that specialists would be doing in the city.

In Gunnedah having the opportunity to do VMO work was great, patients were so appreciative. You’ve managed them in the clinic and if they’ve been really unwell that they’ve BUILD YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE had to go to hospital, and you go and Training in a supervised setting is a unique opportunity see them, they have that continuity to gain new skills in a safe environment. With fewer of care. specialist services readily accessible in some rural areas, patient presentations are often more diverse To be honest, before I moved to than those encountered in large metropolitan centres. Gunnedah I don’t think I’d even heard of it. I was a bit wary of going Make the most of this opportunity – experience the somewhere quite small in the sense diversity of rural general practice and build an extensive that I’d never experienced that. knowledge base that you can use anywhere. Initially I wanted to go to somewhere a little bit bigger like Tamworth or Armidale but it just happened that when I interviewed with the practice in Gunnedah they seemed like a really good fit and that’s why I decided to go there. BE PART OF A TEAM I’ve had a great experience, I’ve been happy with my training and I wouldn’t Today, most rural practices have teams of doctors, change it. If I had the opportunity nurses and other health professionals working over, I’d do the same. I definitely together, providing collegiate and supportive working don’t want to move straight back to environments for you to work and train within. Sydney!"

SUBSPECIALISE

One of the great appeals of general practice is career diversity and opportunity. Opportunities to sub-specialise, provide holistic care across multiple settings, and explore new areas of interest are often enhanced in a rural setting.

Explore New England/Northwest | 7 VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR Rural NSW AND ACT generalism TRAINING POSTS

LIST OF TRAINING POSTS WHAT IS A RURAL GENERALIST? There are two GP procedural training programs in NSW: AND LOCATIONS Rural generalists (also known as procedural GPs) DR LISA SIMPSON • NSW Rural Generalist (RG) Training Program are doctors who have a specialised skill in a "I wanted a broader skill set, which is • NSW Rural GP Procedural Training Program. particular area of medicine. important in a rural setting where we do not have specialist emergency or medical They play an important role in servicing small rural Applications for advanced skills training places physicians. Anaesthetics was a great fit for communities who do not have staff specialists can be made from PGY2 and above. Doctors me and I enjoyed working as an anaesthetic providing these services. interested in the RG program can also apply for the preparation Foundation Year program from PGY1. registrar. Across New England/Northwest there are Now as a GP registrar, I can complete my opportunities to undertake training in a procedural CONSIDER APPLYING FOR THE HETI GP training as well as anaesthetic lists in the skill, and for working as a rural generalist/ FOUNDATION YEAR local hospital, and use my anaesthetic skills procedural GP. working in the local emergency department The Foundation Year is a program run by HETI Rural generalist/procedural course subsidies where they are highly relevant. to provide an introduction to the RG program. It’s are available through GP Synergy and specialist highly recommended for anyone considering rural Being a rural generalist GP is a demanding colleges. For more details visit our supports and generalism and includes education and access to job and I’ve now got a greater understanding subsidies page. mentors. MAP OF TRAINING POSTS of its demands and rewards and am grateful my family and I came to Moree. WHAT TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES For further information visit the HETI website www. ARE AVAILABLE? heti.nsw.gov.au or contact GP Synergy’s Special I’ve found GP training to be very different Education and Programs Manager on applicant@ from my anaesthetics work, where my role There are many training opportunities available gpsynergy.com.au or 1300 477 963. ended once surgery was finished, I’ve really in New England/Northwest as well as towns to enjoyed getting to know patients and being practice those skills. involved in their long-term care.

In the New England/Northwest subregion training I’ve enjoyed the change after moving from is available in: Newcastle, my kids love living on a small Explore procedural opportunities for each property and I’ve enjoyed feeling part of the • anaesthetics town in the following pages, or visit our local community." • emergency medicine website for maps and lists of all posts • obstetrics and gynaecology. available.

Explore New England/Northwest | 9 GP TRAINING IN ABORIGINAL Aboriginal HEALTH

Aboriginal health training posts are GP health training positions undertaken in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs). ACCHSs are Aboriginal organisations that provide primary health care and related services to their local Aboriginal community.

ACCHSs are community controlled organisations, overseen by a locally elected board of management.

They deliver holistic and culturally appropriate health care using a multidisciplinary team approach to ensure the best possible outcome for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

Aboriginal health means not just the physical well-being of an individual but the social, emotional and cultural well-being of the whole community.

ACCHSs vary in size and the services they offer. Services generally include primary DR CAMILLA KING clinical care delivered by GPs working with Mungindi Aboriginal health professionals with an "I wanted to get exposure to all facets emphasis on holistic and preventive care, of medicine so I deliberately sought out delivered in a culturally safe environment. training at Armajun Aboriginal Health Service. Across New England/Northwest there are numerous opportunities to train in Aboriginal The presentations here are different health. to those you would see in mainstream medicine. The patients here are more Warialda WHY TRAIN IN ABORIGINAL unwell than the patients I have previously Glen Innes HEALTH? been seeing, they tend to have multiple Inverell problems. You’re trying to address as Bingara There are many benefits to undertaking part much as you can while patients are here. of your GP training in an Aboriginal health training post including: Recently I had a young patient who had Wee Waa Guyra asthma, but nobody had ever explained • a better understanding of Aboriginal to him about the spacer and why you Barraba Narrabri and Torres Strait Islander health that use a spacer. It’s things that we take can then be applied in an ACCHS or for granted that have been explained to a mainstream general practice with people, it needs time and a more simplified Manilla Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander explanation, because if it gets confusing patients for us so why wouldn’t it be confusing for • being part of a team that delivers holistic other people? Gunnedah Walcha health care • understanding the disparities in My long-term goal is to be a rural GP. It’s Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal health much more rewarding in the country. I status, and why it is important to close lived in Tamworth for five years, I’d walk the gap. along the street and I would see lots of people that I knew, it’s a nice feeling and Quirindi you don’t get that in the city. I was warned that Inverell people are very friendly and that has been case!"

Explore New England/Northwest | 11 How can RURAL SUPPORT AT A GLANCE There are numerous supports to help you experience rural general practice. Visit the supports and subsidies page on we help our website for more information. DEDICATED RURAL you SUPPORT TEAM get there

GOVERNMENT RELOCATION SUBSIDIES SUBSIDIES

If you’re relocating to New England/Northwest for Registrars training in MMM5-7 locations can also training, GP Synergy may be able to help you with apply for reimbursement for education courses the move. relevant to rural general practice within their funding cap. DEDICATED RURAL SUPPORT TEAM RURAL SUPPORT RURAL GENERALIST/PROCEDURAL GP Synergy has a dedicated rural support team providing relocation advice and assistance, GP TRAINING EDUCATION SUBSIDIES AND SUBSIDIES pastoral support, and information about the GP Synergy provides up to $8,000 for pre-approved subsidies available through GP Synergy and other curriculum related course fees (excluding core organisations. qualification fees) not eligible for funding under any other program for registrars undertaking Advanced RELOCATION SUBSIDIES Skills and Advanced Specialised Training terms in emergency medicine, anaesthesia, surgery and Depending on the MMM classification of your DRANZCOG Advanced. placement, GP Synergy offers between $1,900 and $9,500 per six months for relocation costs for Commonwealth subsidies of up to $40,000 are registrars training in MMM3-7 locations including: also available for GPs to gain qualification in obstetrics and anaesthesia. For more information • moving fees, end of lease cleaning, about these subsidies, visit the NSW RDN website. connection and disconnection fees • travel and accommodation for pre-placement GENERAL PRACTICE RURAL interviews or accommodation site visits RURAL GENERALIST EMERGENCY COURSE AND • travel to commence the placement. INCENTIVES PROGRAM (GPRIP) EDUCATION SUBSIDIES STUDY SUBSIDIES Registrars training in MMM5-7 locations can GPRIP, delivered by the Department of Health, also apply for reimbursement of two return trips provides financial incentives to medical (flights/mileage) to their originating destination practitioners practicing in regional and remote within their rural support cap each term. communities. For more information head to GPRIP. GP SYNERGY RURAL SUPPORT CAP BY TERM AND LOCATION* EMERGENCY COURSE AND STUDY SUBSIDIES MMM3 MMM4 MMM5 MMM6 MMM7 There are also subsidies for emergency courses Access the GP Synergy registrar support for rural GP registrars. Up to $3000 is available and subsidy guidelines here. towards an accredited ALS/REST course, and up to $1,930 $3,186 $4,228 $6,188 $9,497 $1000 per StAMPS exam to participate in ACRRM study groups.

*The rural support cap varies according to the MMM classification of your placement and is subject to change. Please see Registrar Support Guidelines for full terms and conditions.

Explore New England/Northwest | 13 NEW ENGLAND/NORTHWEST  ARMIDALE

Classification: MMM3 | Group: B

A beautiful city in the New England high country, Armidale is a cosmopolitan university city with an active arts and cultural community. Explore View town profile our and Accredited GP facilities: • Armajun Aboriginal Medical Service towns • Armidale Medical Centre • Faulkner Street Medical Practice • Integral Health • Rusden Street Medical Practice practices • West Armidale Medical Centre

Rural generalist/procedural opportunities

Accredited training posts are currently available in the following disciplines:

• anaesthetics.

As a regional teaching hospital, Armidale Hospital is staffed by staff specialists rather than GP proceduralists or rural generalists.

Employment opportunities for GP registrars or rural generalists following their advanced skills training are generally limited, however employment opportunities for GP registrars or rural generalists/procedural GPs may be available in obstetrics and gynaecology.

 BARRABA

Classification: MMM5 | Group: B

Located on the Manilla River, the charming town of Barraba is a great base for outdoor activities including bushwalking, photography, camping and 4WDing.

View town profile

Accredited GP facilities:

• Barraba Medical Centre

Rural generalist/procedural opportunities

Employment opportunities for GP registrars or rural generalists/ procedural GPs may be available in the following disciplines: emergency medicine, paediatrics, mental health, palliative care.

Explore New England/Northwest | 15 NEW ENGLAND/NORTHWEST  BINGARA  GUYRA Classification: MMM5 | Group: A Classification: MMM5 | Group: A Once Australia’s largest diamond producer, the small New England town As the highest town in the New England high country, Guyra is of Bingara, is still popular for gold, gem and crystal fossicking. surrounded by natural attractions. View town profile View town profile

Accredited GP facilities: Accredited GP facilities: • RaRMS Health Bingara • Guyra Medical Centre

Rural generalist/procedural opportunities Rural generalist/procedural opportunities Employment opportunities for GP registrars or rural generalists/ Employment opportunities for GP registrars or rural generalists/ procedural GPs may be available in the following disciplines: emergency procedural GPs may be available in the following disciplines: emergency medicine, paediatrics, mental health, palliative care. medicine, paediatrics, mental health, palliative care.

  GLEN INNES INVERELL Classification: MMM4 | Group: A Classification: MMM4 | Group: A Inverell, located in an attractive valley beside the Macintyre River, is Glen Innes is known as Celtic Country, because of its Scottish pioneers, known as the Sapphire City because of the sapphires found throughout having one of Australia's coldest climates and its green countryside the local area. suggestive of the Scottish highlands. View town profile View town profile

Accredited GP facilities: Accredited GP facilities: • Armajun Aboriginal Medical Service • East Avenue Medical Centre • Inverell Medical Centre

Rural generalist/procedural opportunities Rural generalist/procedural opportunities Employment opportunities for GP registrars or rural generalists/ Employment opportunities for GP registrars or rural generalists/ procedural GPs may be available in the following disciplines: procedural GPs may be available in the following disciplines: anaesthetics, obstetrics and gynaecology, emergency medicine, anaesthetics, obstetrics and gynaecology, emergency medicine, paediatrics, mental health, palliative care. paediatrics, mental health, palliative care.

 GUNNEDAH  MANILLA Classification: MMM4 | Group: A Classification: MMM5 | Group: B Gunnedah is situated on the in Northwest NSW, the rich Located at the junction of the Namoi and Manilla Rivers, the town of agricultural area inspired one of Australia’s favourite poets, Dorothea Manilla has been a camping ground for Aboriginal people, a base for Mackellar who wrote ‘My Country’. bullock wagons and now a rural service centre for the surrounding View town profile agricultural areas. View town profile Accredited GP facilities:

• Barber Street Surgery Accredited GP facilities: • Northwest Family Medical - Gunnedah • Rural Medical Clinic

Rural generalist/procedural opportunities Rural generalist/procedural opportunities Employment opportunities for GP registrars or rural generalists/ Employment opportunities for GP registrars or rural generalists/ procedural GPs may be available in the following disciplines: procedural GPs may be available in the following disciplines: emergency anaesthetics, obstetrics and gynaecology, emergency medicine, medicine, paediatrics, mental health, palliative care. paediatrics, mental health, palliative care. Explore New England/Northwest | 17 NEW ENGLAND/NORTHWEST

 MOREE  QUIRINDI

Classification: MMM4 | Group: A Classification: MMM5 | Group: B

Located in the heart of the Northern NSW wheat belt, Moree is famous Located on the productive Liverpool Plains, grazing cattle, fields of for its Artesian Aquatic Centre with its naturally hot mineral-rich waters. sunflowers, sorghum, canola, corn, lucerne and wheat, make Quirindi and surrounds a picturesque rural landscape. View town profile View town profile

Accredited GP facilities:

• Associate Medical Practice Accredited GP facilities: • Pius X Aboriginal Medical Service • Quirindi Health Centre • Walhallow Aboriginal Corporation

Rural generalist/procedural opportunities

Employment opportunities for GP registrars or rural generalists/ Rural generalist/procedural opportunities procedural GPs may be available in the following disciplines: anaesthetics, obstetrics and gynaecology, emergency medicine, Employment opportunities for GP registrars or rural generalists/ paediatrics, mental health, palliative care. procedural GPs may be available in the following disciplines: emergency medicine, paediatrics, mental health, palliative care.

 MUNGINDI

Classification: MMM6 | Group: A  TAMWORTH Straddling the NSW and Queensland border, Mungindi is the only town in Australia to have the same name in two states. Classification: MMM3 | Group: B

View town profile As the Country Music Capital of Australia, the city of Tamworth pays homage to country music in many ways including being home to the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame and the Big Golden Guitar.

Accredited GP facilities: View town profile • Barwon Medical Centre

Rural generalist/procedural opportunities Accredited GP facilities:

Employment opportunities for GP registrars or rural generalists/ • Barton Lane Practice procedural GPs may be available in the following disciplines: emergency • Better Health South Tamworth medicine, paediatrics, mental health, palliative care. • My GP Tamworth • NorthWest Health - East Tamworth Medical Centre • Peel Health Care • Smith Street Practice  NARRABRI • Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service • Tamworth General Practice and Skin Cancer Clinic Classification: MMM4 | Group: A

Narrabri is set in the in the Namoi Valley and is known for rich agriculture, world-leading astronomy, spectacular wilderness and outdoor adventure. Rural generalist/procedural opportunities View town profile Accredited training posts are currently available in the following disciplines: Accredited GP facilities: • anaesthetics • Bridge Medical Centre • emergency medicine • Namoi Medical Services • obstetrics and gynaecology.

As a regional teaching hospital, Tamworth Hospital is staffed by staff Rural generalist/procedural opportunities specialists rather than GP proceduralists or rural generalists.

Employment opportunities for GP registrars or rural generalists/ Employment opportunities for GP registrars or rural generalists following procedural GPs may be available in the following disciplines: emergency their advanced skills training are generally limited, however employment medicine, paediatrics, mental health, palliative care. opportunities for GP registrars or rural generalists/procedural GPs may be available in emergency medicine.

Explore New England/Northwest | 19 NEW ENGLAND/NORTHWEST

 WALCHA

Classification: MMM5 | Group: B

Walcha has something for everyone, it’s a gateway to World Heritage wilderness, offers fine local produce and wine, and boasts the most public art per head of population in Australia.

View town profile

Accredited GP facilities:

• Walcha General Practice

Rural generalist/procedural opportunities

Employment opportunities for GP registrars or rural generalists/ procedural GPs may be available in the following disciplines: emergency medicine, paediatrics, mental health, palliative care.

 WARIALDA

Classification: MMM5 | Group: A

Located on the touring route, Warialda is a great place for fossicking of sapphires, gold and other gems.

View town profile

Accredited GP facilities: DR JESSICA

• Warialda Medical Centre CHAPMAN "I decided on GP because I wanted to Rural generalist/procedural opportunities live in Tamworth, so it made sense that I was Employment opportunities for GP registrars or rural generalists/ a generalist rather than procedural GPs may be available in the following disciplines: emergency a specialist. I also love medicine, paediatrics, mental health, palliative care. the day-to-day variation that general practice will provide. In saying that  my special interest is WEE WAA palliative care and I plan Classification: MMM5 | Group: A to also practice in that area. Wee Waa is Australia's Cotton Capital, the modern cotton growing industry was introduced to the town in 1960 and rapidly expanded. I’m looking forward to being a part of the View town profile community and building long term relationships with patients.

Accredited GP facilities: I love living in a regional • Wee Waa Medical Centre area but with the benefits of great food and culture. I like the country hospitality. I also love the Rural generalist/procedural opportunities events around the area." Employment opportunities for GP registrars or rural generalists/ procedural GPs may be available in the following disciplines: emergency medicine, paediatrics, mental health, palliative care.

Explore New England/Northwest | 21 GP SYNERGY

P 1300 477 963 E [email protected] W gpsynergy.com.au

Suites W2C1 and W2C2, Level 2, Building 2, 75 O’Riordan Street, Sydney Corporate Park, Alexandria

ABN 62 009 141 689

GP Synergy is funded by the Department of Health to deliver the AGPT programme.

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