Rural Doctors Network

13/04/2026

The Easter school holidays are a great time for exploring New South Wales. Last week, one of our cameras caught these magnificent scenes at , on the Mid North Coast, where it's still plenty warm enough to enjoy the ocean. If you are pondering a Sea Change for your health career, Rural Doctors Network knows all the best spots! Contact our recruitment team for more info: recruit@rdnhealth.org 🏖️

10/04/2026

Congratulations to the Collaborative Care team!

Earlier this month, a workshop led by RDN Health’s Community Project Officer, Maryann Iannelli and hosted by the Leeton Collaborative Care Project in Leeton, saw local healthcare providers, community representatives, and representatives from the NSW Ministry of Health come together...

09/04/2026

Applications are OPEN for Round 4 2025/2026 of the Health Workforce Scholarship Program (HWSP). 📣🩺

An initiative of the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and administered in NSW by Rural Doctors Network, HWSP provides scholarships and bursaries to help health professionals in rural and remote Australia retain and enhance their skills, capacity and scope of practice.

The HWSP is available to , , , , and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals providing primary health care in the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) sector, non-government organisations and private practice.

Learn more and apply 👉 https://loom.ly/6xVbhZ0

04/04/2026

Before the Rural GP Refresher Conference got underway last Friday, 13 GPs arrived a day earlier on Thursday to take part in the New GP Orientation Workshop (NGPO). The two-day introduction to rural general practice is considered valuable preparation for transition into rural NSW medical practice and is designed to set up, and support GPs, to succeed in their new role and deliver high-quality medical services to rural NSW.

Providing practical guidance, confidence, and valuable peer connection, the workshop covered key clinical and non-clinical topics including rural general practice essentials, medico-legal risk, MBS, PBS and DVA, mental health, Indigenous health, women’s health, and patient-centred communication.

"It is always inspiring for us to witness a group of doctors arrive as strangers and depart as friends, having gained confidence in how to survive and thrive in a rural GP setting," said RDN Practice Support Lead Lucinda Coble.

Read the full story: https://loom.ly/aduiMBc

Before the Rural GP Refresher Conference got underway on the Friday, 13 GPs arrived a day early on Thursday to take part in the New GP Orientation Workshop (NGPO)....

04/04/2026

Rural healthcare is transport dependent: patients often travel long distances, clinicians cover multiple sites and visiting specialists rely on road and air travel.⛽ If your business is bracing for prolonged fuel shock, learn more about Australian Taxation Office relief, cuts to the fuel excise and fuel discounts thanks to Rural Health Pro's supportive partners at Shell 👉 https://loom.ly/FN15ofU

03/04/2026

Rural Doctors Network hosted ALS 1 & 2 workshops ahead of the Rural GPs Conference. The workshops were facilitated by Emergency Medicine for General Practitioners (EMGP). 41 doctors including 11 JMOs participated in the training, which is designed to enhance skills, knowledge, and confidence in managing medical emergencies, including cardiac arrest and learning to recognise, assess, and immediately manage deteriorating patients.

“Ensuring our rural and regional areas have access to highly skilled professionals who are able to provide emergency care, is vital to the health and wellbeing of the community,” said RDN’s Education Services Manager, Arna Wotherspoon. “Bringing essential training like this once again to beautiful Port Macquarie, alongside other valuable training opportunities, not only supports GPs' professional development but strengthens the entire rural healthcare network.”

🗞️Read the full story: https://loom.ly/XNE0Cik

02/04/2026

Australia is experiencing an increase in fuel prices in the wake of the Middle East conflict. Rural and regional areas are facing the brunt of fuel uncertainty, as National Cabinet met recently to discuss fuel security.

Rural communities are particularly vulnerable to shortages, with fuel being the lifeblood of agriculture and healthcare leaning heavily on aviation. Amid the uncertainty, Rural Doctors Network would like to remind our members of their eligibility for fuel discounts. Practice or business owners can access 7 cents off per litre of petrol, thanks to our supportive partners at Shell.

Membership is free and available to all community members with an interest in rural health. Find out more and apply now: https://loom.ly/TuHFjHU

01/04/2026

With ADHD prescribing reforms here, GPs who attended the Conference also took part in the ‘Managing ADHD across the lifespan’ workshop.

GP and Associate Professor John Kramer shared his knowledge and more than 30 years’ experience in ADHD management, advocacy, and medical education with participants, offering up-to-date guidance, case-based training, and practical strategies to respond with confidence.

Widely respected in his field and captivating the room with his expertise, John has been an Other Designated Prescriber (ODP) for three decades and said: “It’s great to see that there is rapidly increasing interest and awareness in general practice of the existence of ADHD and the affects it can have on the development of children. By early detection and intervention we can achieve huge improvements in the life trajectories of these children."

📰Read the full story: https://loom.ly/PVXArkg

31/03/2026

Last Friday, 120 GPs arrived at Port Macquarie for the Rural GPs Refresher Conference, for what’s become one of the most anticipated highlights of the rural training and professional development calendar!

Hosted by Rural Doctors Network and the Rural Doctors’ Association of NSW, with support from the NSW Ministry of Health, the GPs were also joined by Rural Resident Medical Officer Cadets at the conference, which was specifically designed for rural practitioners and offered a weekend of rural-focused lectures, education, networking and relaxation.

Manager, Conferences & Events, Lindsey Eifler, said the conference was a wonderful success which attracted the largest attendance to date.

“We’ve been delighted to host 120 rural GPs for this year’s Rural GPs Refresher Conference - our largest attendance yet,” said Lindsey.

🗞️Read the full story: https://loom.ly/jTKhDEI

We thank our generous sponsors: Chiesi Group IVFAustralia RACGP AstraZeneca HETI - Health Education and Training Institute Bayer Viatris

26/03/2026

Once again, Port Macquarie will be the centre of the rural health universe for the next few days, as rural GPs attend training and networking events as part of the annual Rural GPs Refresher Conference, proudly brought to you by Rural Doctors Network and the Rural Doctors' Association of NSW, supported by NSW Health.

Ahead of the Conference, Rural Doctors Network has been running ALS 1 & 2 training, a New GP Orientation Workshop, and the much anticipated Managing ADHD Across the Lifespan Masterclass.

Each year, Refresher is a time for collegiality and learning in a beautiful location. We'll have full coverage in next week's Monday Message: https://www.ruraldoctors.org/site/mon

25/03/2026

The most recent road trip tour of the NSW Western Plains was generously sponsored by Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited who were amongst those welcoming the students to . 🚌🤠

“Workforce shortages continue to affect access to healthcare across Cobar,” People and Culture Manager Joanne Power said. “Harmony CSA Mine is proud to support the Go Rural initiative, delivered by Rural Doctors Network, which highlights both the professional opportunities and unique lifestyle our region offers.”

“Many people say how wonderful Cobar is to live and work in once they’re here. It’s that initial getting them here that we struggle with,” Mayor Jarrod Marsden told The Cobar Weekly. “If one or two of [the students] end up deciding that they want to come and be in Cobar full time, that’s a wonderful outcome.”

Read more about the trip: https://loom.ly/fSMNDXc



Orange Aboriginal Medical Service Bogan Shire Medical Centre Peak Hill Aboriginal Medical Service Inc

24/03/2026

Earlier this month, Health Workforce Scholarship Program (HWSP) Lead, Alissa Eames, represented Rural Doctors Network and gave a Tabletop Presentation about ‘Collaboration’ at the Rural Pharmacy Forum 2026 on the Gold Coast.

The Forum focused on translating thinking and innovation into real-world action, strengthening pharmacy services and improving health outcomes across regional, rural and remote communities.

The Forum highlighted the unique challenges faced by rural and regional communities in accessing health care, and how addressing these challenges is essential to shaping the health and wellbeing of every Australian, regardless of where they live.

🗞️Read more: https://loom.ly/GKgg-8Y