Who is eligible for the program?

Junior doctors employed in state government hospitals at PGY2 and above, and who are unconditionally registered, are eligible for the program.

What will I be doing in the program?

Your placement will expose you to a real life experience in the General Practice world. You will have management of your own patients and be involved in varied areas of health care such as aged care, sexual health, drug and alcohol, paediatrics, home visits and acute and chronic disease management.

How long will my placement be?

General Practice placements can vary in duration.

• Rural placements are a minimum of 2 hospital-length terms.
• Outer metro placements vary between 1 hospital-length term for GP/Emergency placements to a minimum of 2 hospital-length terms for GP/Obstetrics and GP/Paediatrics placements.

Community Residency Placements align with hospital terms and changeovers occur at the same time as hospital terms.

How many hours a week do I work?

Under your Industrial Agreement junior doctors are expected to work 38 hours for a full-time placement.  You will work 2.5 days (19 hours) of this time in General Practice and the rest of the time in your hospital placement.

I work part-time.  Can I still do a Community Residency rotation?

Because Community Residencies require you to spend your week across two sites, it would be difficult to undertake a placement on a part-time basis.

Who will pay me?

You will remain an employee of your hospital as Community Residencies are considered as hospital rotations. This means you will continue to be paid as usual and accrue leave entitlements etc.  You should not be disadvantaged in earnings by undertaking a General Practice placement.

What will it cost?

The program is free for junior doctors. The cost of the program is underwritten by Department of Health WA funding as well as Commonwealth government funding through the PGPPP.

What about medical indemnity?

As you will remain an employee of your hospital on rotation in General Practice you remain indemnified by your hospital for the placement; however, personal insurance is strongly recommended.

What sort of supervision will I have?

Throughout your placement you will be well-supervised by experienced practitioners who also teach GP Registrars and accredited supervisors in your hospital setting.   Your supervisors will help you gain independence and a sense of autonomy in your clinical management of cases and develop your communication skills and medical professionalism.

What education can I expect?

When you start you placement you will be given a comprehensive orientation to the General Practice and to your Community Residency Hospital.  Your supervisors will work with you on a learning plan for the placement and will provide you with a minimum of six hours of education each week. This will take a variety of forms including case discussions, work shadowing, practical skills sessions, meetings, tutorials, video consultations and review. All placements are accredited by the PMCWA and your education program will address the WA Junior Doctor Curriculum in a community setting.

As well as the orientation provided by the Practice, you will also attend a two-day orientation program delivered by WAGPET.  This program includes education on communication skills; software; GP organisations; billing; prescribing; Aboriginal health as well as participation in a series of skills stations. 

Do I need to get a Medicare provider number?

If you are accepted into the program, you will require a provider number for your General Practice and for the duration of your placement.  You will need to complete an Application for Medicare Provider Number for a Medical Practitioner and a PGPPP Medicare Provider Number Form.  Both forms require your General Practice Supervisor’s details and generally take 4 to 6 weeks to process so you need to initiate this process in plenty of time before the commencement date of your placement.  The provider number is only for your Practice site and for the duration of the placement.

You will also need to apply for a Medicare Provider Number for a Medical Practitioner for your Community Residency Hospital.  Your Hospital will assist you in this process.

I am an Overseas Trained Doctor or Former Overseas Medical Student. Can I participate in the program?

If you are an Overseas Trained Doctor or Former Overseas Medical Student you are eligible to participate in the program, provided you are unconditionally registered.  This is required to enable you to access a Medicare provider number for the placement through a Section 19AB exemption.

Overseas Trained Doctors and Former Overseas Medical Students are not restricted to outer metro or rural placements for their PGPPP rotations.  If you gain a place in the program and subsequently choose to join the AGPT, you are still subject to the 10 Year Moratorium conditions.

I am in my Intern year.  Can I do a PGPPP rotation?

Interns are eligible to apply for a Rural Primary Care placement at Nickol Bay Hospital and Onslow GP Clinic.

Will the placement be recognised as part of my General Practice training pathway?

Participation in the program counts towards your hospital time should you decide to apply for inclusion in the GP Training Program.

What will my accommodation be like if I take up a rural placement?

Participants are provided with good quality accommodation which is routinely visited and evaluated.   Depending on the placement area, you may be accommodated in shared housing.

If I take up a rural placement will my travel costs be covered?

Your travel to and from the placement are paid for by the hospital you are relocating to.

I am ready to apply for a Community Residency rotation.  What do I do now?

1. When completing your hospital employment application, tick the appropriate box indicating that you wish to undertake a Community Residency rotation.
2. Complete an Application form and submit to WAGPET by the due date.
3. Attend an interview during which your suitability for a particular placement will be assessed.

Once I’m accepted for the program, what can I do to prepare for my placement?

The General Practice environment and working routine will be a new experience for you. You are encouraged to do some research and maintain an open mind in respect to what you will experience in your placement. We encourage you to:

• Do some research on General Practice.
• Make contact with junior doctors who have been involved in the program to find out what you can expect during the program.
• Contact your General Practice supervisor and Practice Manager to discuss your placement.
• Keep in touch with the WAGPET prevocational team about your placement.