By Maryanne Stuart
The NSW Government’s successful Single Employer Model is continuing to boost the regional health workforce, as another 29 doctors joined the Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway (RGSEP) this week, with five working in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
RGSEP is an employment pathway for doctors seeking a career as a rural generalist who work across both primary care and hospital settings.
Rural generalists are General Practitioners (GPs) who have an extended skill in a specialty area such as anaesthetics, obstetrics, paediatrics, emergency medicine, mental health or palliative care.
RGSEP trainees are offered a length-of-training contract with a Local Health District (LHD) in regional NSW. This allows trainees to retain and use their NSW Health Award entitlements during GP training.
Rural generalist trainees also receive the same pay and conditions as their hospital trained counterparts.
The new recruits bring the total number of doctors participating in the Program to 44 across Far West, Illawarra Shoalhaven, Hunter New England, Mid North Coast, Murrumbidgee, Northern NSW, Southern NSW and Western NSW LHDs.
RGSEP trainee Dr Marty Ryan has worked across health facilities in Temora, Cootamundra Gundagai and Wagga Wagga and is encouraging other doctors to consider becoming a rural generalist.
Quotes attributable to Regional Health Minister Ryan Park:
“I’m excited to welcome 29 new trainees to the Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway, all with a commitment and passion for regional healthcare and communities.
“The program supports rural generalist trainees throughout their training, helping to prepare them for a career providing our regional, rural and remote communities with the essential care they need.
“This year, we have trainees working in regional centres across NSW but I’m particularly thrilled to see five RGSEP trainees starting in the Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD and bringing their skills and expertise to our community.
“Being a rural generalist means being a part of the community. It’s a unique, challenging and rewarding career, and it's exciting to see our trainee numbers continue to grow year on year.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Wollongong Paul Scully:
“It’s great to see people from across NSW working in our region and providing great healthcare services to our community. “The Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway offers our area great healthcare and healthcare workers the opportunity to work in the best place in Wollongong.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson:
“The RGSEP is a fantastic initiative of the NSW Government that provides opportunities for rural generalists to provide world-class healthcare in our regional and rural areas.
“It’s wonderful to welcome five new doctors to our beautiful region. It is truly a fantastic place to live and work and I thank our hard-working medical professionals, right across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, for keeping our community healthy.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart:
“With such specialist areas, I thank these Doctors for joining the Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway. These areas of expertise have some of our most vulnerable patients in our communities.
“On behalf of the Heathcote electorate, thank you for your care and dedication to providing quality public healthcare in the Illawarra.”
Quotes attributable to Member for South Coast Liza Butler:
“This program is making a real difference in ensuring our regional communities have access to high-quality healthcare by attracting and retaining skilled doctors in the regions where they are needed most.
"It’s fantastic to see another 29 doctors join the program, including five in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District. These professionals will play a vital role in strengthening our rural health system and delivering essential care to local communities.
"I encourage more doctors to consider a career as a rural generalist—this program provides a unique opportunity to develop a broad skill set while making a lasting impact on regional and rural communities."
Quotes attributable to Dr Marty Ryan, Rural Generalist Trainee:
“The beauty of this model is it allows the seamless transition from the primary setting into a hospital under the one contract.
“The breadth of experience you get as a rural generalist gives you so much job satisfaction and variety.
“One moment you’re at a hospital treating someone with pneumonia and the next hour you’re back down at the general practice clinic. It’s constant mental stimulation. That’s why I love the job.
“Growing up in a country town I know how deep the community spirit runs through them in the hard times as well as the good. It is such a special role and every day there are always compliments from patients who are so grateful to have you here.
“I thoroughly recommend this program to other doctors who are thinking of becoming a rural generalist."
