Rural Generalist Program South Australia

04/09/2025

The RGPSA wishes the latest Rural Doctors Workforce Agency R2R Interns all the best on their rotations across rural SA. We hope you love every minute of it!! :D

Yesterday, our Term 4 Road to Rural Interns commenced their rural rotations! 🩺

The R2R Intern program provides a valuable early career rural generalist (RG) clinical experience for interns based in metropolitan hospitals.

Interns attended an orientation session at RDWA run by RDWA EDMS, Dr Tim Kelly, and Dr Lisa Koo to help them prepare for their 10-week rotation with a refresher on practical skills for general practice, what to expect in their host practices, and to understand the support available to them.

We wish them a great rural generalist experience!

📸 Pictured at orientation:
Front row L-R: Dr Tim Kelly (GP Facilitator), Dr Madeleine Lemmey (Mannum), Dr Jasmine Crocker (Jamestown), Dr Mitali Rawat (Port Lincoln), Dr Lisa Koo (GP Facilitator)

Back row L-R: Dr Griffin Dean (Kapunda), Dr Jeremy Pople (Gumeracha), Dr Zonal Ali (Clare), Dr Ginger Akins (Murray Bridge), Dr Gabe Tramaglino (Waikerie)

Not pictured: Dr Danny Hill (Angaston), Dr Walter Ikealumba (Crystal Brook)

👉 Read more about the R2R Intern Program: https://bit.ly/R2R_Intern_Program

01/09/2025

Are you a medical student, prevocational doctor or rural GP registrar that would you like to attend the RACGP’s flagship GP conference in Brisbane?

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) are offering a number of free registrations and travel bursaries where you’ll enjoy a curated program, networking with RACGP leaders, GPs and rural generalists, and gain valuable insights from expert speakers.

Submit your expression of interest by11.59 pm (AEST) Wednesday 10 September.

Apply now: https://gpconference.com.au/win-a-gp25-registration/

26/08/2025

Meet Dr James McLeod, SA Rural Generalist based in the Riverland and learn about the REEF pathway to Fellowship

Dr James McLeod has built a rich and rewarding career as a Rural Generalist, shaped by years of dedication to rural medicine, community health, and the next generation of doctors. Now based in Renmark, South Australia, James recently attained Fellowship with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) through the Rural Experienced Entry to Fellowship (REEF) pathway — a route designed to formally recognise the skills and experience of rural doctors like him.

Hear James’ experience achieving Fellowship through the REEF pathway and his advice to others who will benefit from the enhanced professional recognition >> https://www.acrrm.org.au/membership/meet-our-members/story/dr-james-mcleod

The REEF pathway provides a streamlined opportunity for Fellows of RACGP (FRACGP) with five or more years of rural, remote or First Nations experience to also gain Fellowship of ACRRM (FACRRM). See link in comments to learn more 👇👇

20/08/2025

Maximise Your Professional Development at RMA25!

Ready to supercharge your career? RMA25 isn't just about incredible keynotes and sessions – it's your gateway to serious skill-building and CPD success!

This year packs even more value with 15 hours EA + 2 hours PR awarded for attendance – that's a fantastic 5-hour increase from last year!

Boost your CPD hours even further by attending a pre or post-conference course. Most courses have already sold out, with limited spaces remaining on:
🩺 Point of Care Ultrasound for Rural Generalists (POCUS-RG) | 19th October 2025
👶 Paediatric Emergencies for Rural Generalists | 27-28 October 2025

Want to squeeze even more value from your conference investment?
Complete a Clinical Audit on an RMA25 topic when you return to practice, then self-report those Outcome Measurement hours for maximum CPD impact.

From world-class keynotes to specialised skills training, RMA25 delivers the complete professional development experience that will elevate your practice. These final course spaces won't last long – secure yours today! 🚀

Book now - https://rma.acrrm.org.au/pre-post-conference-courses/

18/08/2025

Latest round of Health Workforce Scholarship Program now open!! See below 👇👇

Increase your skills, capacity or scope of practice to benefit the health of your local community. Full eligibility details and guidelines are available on the Rural Doctors Workforce Agency website.

📧 This week in RDWA News…

Applications are open for the Health Workforce Scholarship Program.

If you are a rural primary health care professional, you can apply for assistance to increase your skills, capacity or scope of practice to benefit the health of your local rural community.

To apply, you must be working in an eligible health profession providing services in a private primary health care setting in rural South Australia.

Applications close at 9am, Monday 15 September 2025.

👉 Read more: https://bit.ly/4fClxKx
👉 Guidelines and apply: https://www.ruraldoc.com.au/health-workforce-scholarship-program

07/08/2025

Are you a GP registrar training through AGPT, RVTS or RGTS? 📚

Your feedback directly shapes the future of GP training in Australia – let your voice be heard by completing the 2025 General Practice National Registrar Survey (GP NRS). But hurry! It closes 18 August.

Why take part?
✅ Improve the quality of training
✅ Drive national benchmarking and equity
✅ Suggest meaningful changes

Your voice has already made a difference:
🗳️ In 2023, registrars highlighted the need for paid study and parental leave
🎯 As a result, new paid leave incentives will roll out in 2026

Quick facts:
📅 Survey closes: 18 August 2025
📩 Check your inbox for your unique link from ACER (sent mid-July)
🔗 More info at the link in the comments

31/07/2025

Have your say on the future of rural generalism

The Queensland rural generalist 20 year forum being held in Roma in October, hosted by the Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway (QRGP), intends to frame the future of rural generalism over the next 5-10 years 🩺.

📋 🙏 Help the QRGP explore what the future should look like and what needs to happen to get there by completing their challenges and future perspectives survey. Your responses will help shape discussions at the forum and beyond.

You don’t have to be working in Queensland to respond – the QRGP is looking for nationwide views and perspectives. ⏰ You have until Tuesday 12 August 2025 to respond. Take 20 minutes to help frame the future.

See links in the comments below 👇👇

29/07/2025

Time is flying and Masterclass is just around the corner. Thinking of joining us - don't miss out, register now for an unforgettable weekend of education and training. Don't forget to check out our pre- and post-workshops 'Ultrasound Refresher' and 'ALS2' https://bit.ly/3EQUVaC

21/07/2025

Future rural doctors were put to the test at this year’s Rural Intern Clinical Simulation Day. Held on 12 July at Adelaide Health Simulation, it included:

👨‍⚕️ 24 rural and regional interns
🩺 Real-world trauma, airway & obstetric emergency training
🧠 Peer learning and expert debriefs
🚑 High-stakes, low-risk scenarios

Hosted by the Rural Generalist Program South Australia (RGPSA), the event gave interns the chance to sharpen critical clinical skills in a safe, supportive, and incredibly realistic environment.

Big thanks to our expert facilitators who generously volunteered their time to support and guide the next generation of rural clinicians. The stellar line-up included Dr Kris Bascomb, Dr Jess Martyn, Dr Jacob Cappelletto and Dr Tom Ryan.

💬 Interns ‘absolutely loved’ the event and ‘thoroughly enjoyed every minute.’

A big thank you also to Jane Longmire from RACGP and Rohan Watts from the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), who represented their respective colleges and answered career and training pathway questions.

14/07/2025

Interested in obstetrics? Then this post is for you 👇

Following a successful practical rural obstetrics workshop, we are seeking expressions of interest from rural and regional trainee doctors in attending an upcoming rural obstetrics information and education session planned for later in 2025 (date to be confirmed).

On Saturday 28 June, six rural trainees joined Dr. Kris Bascomb, RGPSA Obstetrics Advisor, at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital for a hands-on obstetrics workshop.

Facilitated by Belinda V***a from the V***a Academy, the session focused on the safe and effective use of vacuum-assisted delivery techniques. Dr. Bascomb provided expert guidance and shared insights relevant to rural practice.

This was the second RGPSA V***a workshop designed for rural and regional trainee medical officers interested in obstetrics, and it will become a regular part of the RGPSA education calendar.

For more information or to register your interest in attending the obstetrics information and education session planned for later in the year, please contact Andrew Dean, RGPSA Education Coordinator, at Health.SARuralGeneralistTraining@sa.gov.au.

07/07/2025

🚨𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐬!🚨

The 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 is expanding -- giving GP trainees stable employment with SA Health for up to 4 years while they finish their training.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 – 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚?
✅ Provides doctors in training with consistent location, pay & conditions
✅ Offers stability that enables doctors to build stronger ties in regional communities
✅ Gives GP trainees smooth transitions between public & private placements while they complete their training

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥?
Submit your Expression of interest today via the link in the comments – or tag a trainee who might be interested!

Together, we can attract and retain more doctors in our rural communities, improving healthcare for our regions. 💪🌾

Pictured here from left to right: Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network SEM registrar Rachel Crook, Rural Support Service (RSS) Acting Executive Director Brett Webster, RSS Manager of Trainee Medical Officer Unit Kylee Nuss, and Yorke and Northern Local Health Network SEM registrar Nikki Pennifold.

30/06/2025

🚗💼 Meet Kirsteen Knevitt – the driving force behind rural medical education in SA! 🌾

As a dedicated Medical Education Officer for the Yorke and Northern Local Health Network, Kirsteen is making a powerful impact—supporting junior doctors across 16 regional sites, helping them grow into confident, capable clinicians.

With 15 years of experience and a passion for both people and the outdoors, Kirsteen shares what makes rural training professionally rewarding and personally enriching in the latest in our ‘Day in the life’ series.

📖 Read the full article to learn more about Kirsteen’s journey at the link in the comments