Rural Generalist Program South Australia

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

26/06/2025

Curious about what it takes to become a Rural Generalist? Join our upcoming webinar to dive into the world of RG training with ACRRM!

Hear from our registrars and Fellows who are completing their advanced specialised training in emergency, anesthetics and obstetrics, and what their training has been like so far. You'll also have the opportunity to ask our panel questions - nothing is off limits!

Register now: https://bit.ly/43EbRuL

23/06/2025

Attention rural doctors! Have you claimed your WIP-RAS payment?

Doctors providing primary care and emergency and/or advanced skills in Modified Monash (MM) 3–7 locations can claim up to $21,000 each year through the Workforce Incentives Program – Rural Advanced Skills (WIP-RAS) stream. This applies to work you’ve done in 2023, 2024 and 2025 with claims open until 31 March 2026 – so it’s not too late to claim for last couple years!

The WIP-RAS program was launched by the Department of Health and Aged Care in January 2024 and provides a payment for activity related to the provision of emergency services and specialised skill services for eligible doctors in rural and remote areas. Eligible doctors, including Rural Generalists and GPs with advanced skills, are encouraged to apply for the incentive.

16/06/2025

Do you know a great rural GP or primary care clinic? Nominate them for the 2025 RACGP Awards!

It’s time to celebrate our rural GPs and practices that go that extra mile for the health of their communities. Do you know an extraordinary rural GP/Rural Generalist, supervisor, medical educator, GP in training or practice going above and beyond?

The annual RACGP Awards recognise excellence in general practice and dedication to holistic patient care, and provide a chance for us to raise the profile of rural GPs/RGs, community groups and practices. Know someone who fits the bill? Nominate them now >> https://www.racgp.org.au/the-racgp/awards-and-grants/awards

Nominations are open until 9:00am AEST, Monday 30 June 2025.

10/06/2025

IS IT TIME TO TRULY FIND YOUR PASSION?

PGY2+ prevocational training and PGY3+ Advanced Skills Training positions (RACGP & ACRRM) applications now open!!

Check out the amazing 2026 clinical training year PGY2+ Rural Generalist Training opportunities you can apply for through our six unique SA regional local health networks.

Heading into PGY3+ Advanced Skills Training? There’s an abundance of procedural or non-procedural disciplines available across rural and regional South Australia.

Whether you want to do Palliative Care advanced skills training in the Yorke and Northern Local Health Network, Obstetrics in Mount Gambier, Adult Internal Medicine with the Riverland Academy of Clinical Excellence or Emergency Medicine in the Southern Fleurieu Health Service (just to name a few..!), the training and experience you’ll get is second to none!

Application guidelines, key dates and position info packs found here 👉👉 https://samet.org.au/postgraduate-year-2-and-beyond-recruitment

PGY2 and Beyond Applications open on Wednesday 11 June 2025.

Visit the SA MET website for the E.O.I Application Guideline and Position Information Packs which include program-specific application requirements - for example cover letter expectations, CV templates, and questions you may need to address. Apply via the SA Health Careers website.

Visit the SA Health Careers Website: https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/careers/careers
https://samet.org.au/postgraduate-year-2-and-beyond-recruitment/

03/06/2025

This Friday on 6 June 2025, we celebrate Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day! – a day that is all about raising awareness and encouraging open conversations about mental health, depression, anxiety and su***de among doctors, healthcare professionals and medical students.

You are encouraged to show your support of our incredible doctors, healthcare professionals and medical students’ mental health by wearing a pair of silly, colourful, or crazy socks.

Watch this short video with SA Health Chief Medical Officer, Dr Mike Cusack, and South Australia's Mental Health Commissioner, Taimi Allan, where they discuss the importance of Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day >> https://tinyurl.com/28nrctt3

SA Health Chief Medical Officer, Dr Mike Cusack, and South Australia's Mental Health Commissioner, Taimi Allan discuss the importance of Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day.

25/05/2025

A day in the life of Rural Generalist – Dr Lakshmi Sunderasan

Rural practice broadens your perspective on what it means to be a doctor.

Read about Dr Lakshmi Sunderasan’s career journey to General Practitioner Registrar undertaking advanced specialised training in anaesthetics and her advice when moving to regional and rural areas.

“Anaesthetics is attractive because you get to see and change human physiology and pharmacology in real time - which is very fascinating.” ~ Dr Sunderasan

Read the full story:https://www.ruralgeneralist.sa.gov.au/app/uploads/2025/05/RGPSA-RG-Profile-Dr-Lakshmi-Sunderasan.pdf

Want more insight? Hear from Dr Peter Gilchrist, RGPSA Rural Generalist Anaesthetics Advisor as he shares his perspective on rural generalism and anaesthetics advanced skills training >> https://www.ruralgeneralist.sa.gov.au/training-stages/advanced-skills-training-testimonials/

22/05/2025

Know an individual or team making a difference in rural health?

Check out this year’s SA MET South Australian Prevocational Medical Education Excellence Awards categories and get your nominations in by Monday 16 June 2025!! >>
https://samet.org.au/south-australian-prevocational-medical-education-excellence-awards/

Nominations are now open for the 2025 SA Prevocational Medical Education Excellence Awards.

These awards recognise outstanding contributions to the education and support of prevocational doctors across South Australia.

To learn more or to submit a nomination, please visit the SA MET website.

Link: https://samet.org.au/south-australian-prevocational-medical-education-excellence-awards/

19/05/2025

RGPSA supports SA’s 3 rural health clubs at annual Tri-University Rural Health Gala Night

Earlier this month the RGPSA proudly sponsored and presented at the ‘Escape Under the Stars’ gala evening, hosted by the Adelaide University Rural Health Alliance (AURHA), Flinders University Rural Health Society and Roustah at the Adelaide Rowing Club. The event brought together around 140 enthusiastic students from The University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the University of South Australia.

The night offered a great opportunity for students to network and connect with healthcare professionals, who shared their experiences working in rural Australian healthcare settings.

With live music, dancing and inspiring guest speakers, the evening was a celebration of all things rural health. Dr David Lam, Rural Generalist Anaesthetist and Director of the SA Regional Training Hub at Flinders University, was among the stellar line up, sharing first-hand insights into the exciting pathways a career as a rural generalist or rural GP can offer.

The RGPSA congratulates the club executives and event organising committee on delivering such a successful event. We look forward to working with SA’s rural health clubs into the future.

Australian Medical Students' Association - AMSA AMSA Rural Health