Rural GPs hits record number but Rural Health West's data fuels concerns it isn't enough
While the record number of GPs working across rural and remote WA has surpassed the 1000 mark for the first time, demand for healthcare continues to grow as the rural population increases.
This has sparked fears existing attraction and retention efforts may not be enough.
Rural Health West chief executive Professor Catherine Elliot said the although the results were promising, there was significant progress to be made.
'To have more than 1000 rural GPs practising in Western Australia for the first time is a major milestone,' Professor Elliot said.
'However, we also know that rural and remote communities are continuing to grow, and demand for care is increasing.
'The 2024 WA Rural GP Summit identified that we'll need at least 300 more rural GPs by 2030 so while this is a great step forward, we still have a way to go.'
As of November 30, 2024, 1009 GPs were recorded as practising in rural WA — a 5.8 per cent increase year-on-year.
The most significant gains were seen in resident GPs, with an additional 38 doctors, and GP registrars, with an increase of 13.
The proportion of female GPs also rose to 48 per cent — up 20 per cent since 2014.
Interestingly, International Medical Graduates made up 67.5 per cent of new arrivals and represent more than half — 53.5 per cent — of the rural GP workforce.
Regions which recorded a rise in GP numbers included South West, Great Southern, Pilbara, Midwest and the outer metropolitan area.
Kimberley, Gascoyne, Wheatbelt and Goldfields–Esperance did not.
Turnover in the permanent GP workforce also showed signs of improvement, dropping to 12.5 per cent — down 2.2 per cent year-on-year.
'While turnover remains a challenge, particularly in remote regions like the Pilbara and Kimberley, we hope this signals a growing trend of stability,' Professor Elliott said.
While the numbers represent a positive trend for rural and remote communities in WA, Professor Elliot said it would only be sustainable if GPs felt well-supported in their roles.
'That includes access to communities of practice, peer connection, and the latest evidence-based trends so they can deliver the highest standard of care and stay supported throughout their careers in the bush.'
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West Australian
3 days ago
- West Australian
Kimberley shows decrease in GP numbers as rural GPs hit record numbers across WA
The Kimberley has recorded a decline in GPs despite the number of doctors working across rural and remote WA surpassing the 1000 mark for the first time. Despite the milestone, rural WA will need more than 1270 general practitioners to head bush by 2030 to meet rising demand — an increase of nearly 300 doctors on today's figures. This has sparked fears existing attraction and retention efforts may not be enough. 'While turnover remains a challenge, particularly in remote regions like the Pilbara and Kimberley, we hope this signals a growing trend of stability,' Rural Health West chief executive Professor Catherine Elliot said. 'To have more than 1000 rural GPs practising in Western Australia for the first time is a major milestone. However, we also know that rural and remote communities are continuing to grow, and demand for care is increasing. 'The 2024 WA Rural GP Summit identified that we'll need at least 300 more rural GPs by 2030 so while this is a great step forward, we still have a way to go.' While the numbers represent a positive trend for rural and remote communities in WA, she said it would only be sustainable if GPs felt well-supported in their roles. 'That includes access to communities of practice, peer connection, and the latest evidence-based trends so they can deliver the highest standard of care and stay supported throughout their careers in the bush,' Professor Elliot said. As of November 30, 2024, 1009 GPs were recorded as practising in rural WA — a 5.8 per cent increase year-on-year. The most significant gains were seen in resident GPs, with an additional 38 doctors, and GP registrars, with an increase of 13. The proportion of female GPs also rose to 48 per cent — up 20 per cent since 2014. Interestingly, International Medical Graduates made up 67.5 per cent of new arrivals and represent more than half — 53.5 per cent — of the rural GP workforce. Regions which recorded a rise in GP numbers included South West, Great Southern, Pilbara, Mid West and the outer metropolitan area. Kimberley, Gascoyne, Wheatbelt and Goldfields–Esperance did not. Turnover in the permanent GP workforce also showed signs of improvement, dropping to 12.5 per cent — down 2.2 per cent year-on-year.
West Australian
24-07-2025
- West Australian
Rural GPs hits record number but Rural Health West's data fuels concerns it isn't enough
Rural WA will need more than 1270 general practitioners to head bush by 2030 to meet rising demand – an increase of nearly 300 doctors on today's figures. While the record number of GPs working across rural and remote WA has surpassed the 1000 mark for the first time, demand for healthcare continues to grow as the rural population increases. This has sparked fears existing attraction and retention efforts may not be enough. Rural Health West chief executive Professor Catherine Elliot said the although the results were promising, there was significant progress to be made. 'To have more than 1000 rural GPs practising in Western Australia for the first time is a major milestone,' Professor Elliot said. 'However, we also know that rural and remote communities are continuing to grow, and demand for care is increasing. 'The 2024 WA Rural GP Summit identified that we'll need at least 300 more rural GPs by 2030 so while this is a great step forward, we still have a way to go.' As of November 30, 2024, 1009 GPs were recorded as practising in rural WA — a 5.8 per cent increase year-on-year. The most significant gains were seen in resident GPs, with an additional 38 doctors, and GP registrars, with an increase of 13. The proportion of female GPs also rose to 48 per cent — up 20 per cent since 2014. Interestingly, International Medical Graduates made up 67.5 per cent of new arrivals and represent more than half — 53.5 per cent — of the rural GP workforce. Regions which recorded a rise in GP numbers included South West, Great Southern, Pilbara, Midwest and the outer metropolitan area. Kimberley, Gascoyne, Wheatbelt and Goldfields–Esperance did not. Turnover in the permanent GP workforce also showed signs of improvement, dropping to 12.5 per cent — down 2.2 per cent year-on-year. 'While turnover remains a challenge, particularly in remote regions like the Pilbara and Kimberley, we hope this signals a growing trend of stability,' Professor Elliott said. While the numbers represent a positive trend for rural and remote communities in WA, Professor Elliot said it would only be sustainable if GPs felt well-supported in their roles. 'That includes access to communities of practice, peer connection, and the latest evidence-based trends so they can deliver the highest standard of care and stay supported throughout their careers in the bush.'
West Australian
08-07-2025
- West Australian
Number of GPs in rural and remote WA surpass 1000 for the first time, Mid West records 8.2% increase
The number of general practitioners working in rural and remote WA has surpassed the 1000 mark for the first time, with the Mid West seeing a substantial increase. Recorded in Rural Health West's newest rural GP workforce report, 1009 GPs were noted as working in rural and remote areas as of November 30, 2024, a 5.8 per cent increase from the previous year (954 in 2023). The growth of 55 GPs since 2023 is the greatest increase since 2011. The Mid West saw an increase of 8 GPs as of November 2024 — an 8.2 per cent growth since November 2023, with 105 GPs recorded across 27 practices in the region. The most significant overall increase was seen among resident GPs, with an additional 38 doctors, and GP registrars (7.7 per cent and 9.2 per cent respectively). There was a significant increase in the number of female GPs recorded since 2014, with 48 per cent of the current workforce (485 female GPs) being women in 2024, compared to just 28 per cent 10 years prior. Rural Health West chief executive officer Catherine Elliot said the although the results were promising, there was significant progress to be made. 'To have more than 1000 rural GPs practising in Western Australia for the first time is a major milestone,' Prof. Elliott said. 'However, we also know that rural and remote communities are continuing to grow, and demand for care is increasing. 'The 2024 WA Rural GP Summit identified that we'll need at least 300 more rural GPs by 2030 so while this is a great step forward, we still have a way to go.' The report also highlighted the continued importance of the integral International Medical Graduates (IMGs), who represent more than half (53.5 per cent) of the rural GP workforce, with a reported 67.5 per cent of new arrivals in 2024 hailing from overseas. 'International Medical Graduates are a crucial part of the rural health landscape,' Prof. Elliott said. While the numbers represent a positive trend for rural and remote communities in WA, Prof. Elliot said it would only be sustainable if GPs felt well-supported in their roles. 'Building a strong workforce isn't just about numbers, it's also about making sure rural GPs have the professional support they need,' she said. 'That includes access to communities of practice, peer connection, and the latest evidence-based trends so they can deliver the highest standard of care and stay supported throughout their careers in the bush.'
