The General Practice workforce in rural WA relies heavily on doctors recruited from overseas with the representation of this group of doctors increasing from 38% to 46% of the total GP workforce in rural areas over the last five years.  The need for an increased medical workforce is expected to continue as WA experiences strong growth in its economy and this impacts on population growth in state. Without an overseas trained workforce, many WA communities would be without the medical services they deserve.

As a result of a state-wide consultation by the Rural Outreach Vocational Education (ROVE) Steering Committee, Western Australia is now poised to support this group of doctors as they service our rural communities to Australian medical standards.

Overseas Trained Doctors need to be supported and acknowledged. They work in often trying conditions servicing a complex community, navigating a complicated health care system, often isolated from services they desperately need.

(Dr Janice Bell - CEO, WAPGET; Co-Chair, ROVE Steering Committee).

A model to inform the delivery of a program of assessment, education and support for overseas trained doctors was developed by the Steering Committee in 2007.  This committee has representation from all the major groups involved in the recruitment and support of overseas doctors in the state.

The research underpinning the model was based on:

• a state-wide survey of overseas trained doctors and other parties interested in supporting this group see attached reports
• an audit of current services offered in WA
• an assessment of pilot ROVE programs offered interstate
• a comprehensive literature search.
  

The model builds on and adds value to the current Five Year Scheme in WA, utilising existing resources from organisations such as WAGPET, RACGP, ACRRM, AHCWA and Rural Health West and contains a robust method of assessment, education and evaluation.

Although expected funding for this program has not been forthcoming from the Commonwealth, WAPGET is continuing to promote the urgent need for government acknowledgement of this area of neglect.

Regular updates of progress in this area will be posted on this site.