Latest news with #RuralHealthWest
West Australian
6 days ago
- Health
- 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
- Health
- 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.'
West Australian
29-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
New GP clinic opens in South Hedland amid doctor shortage
A new general practice clinic has officially opened its doors in South Hedland, offering a much-needed boost as the region continues to grapple with a critical healthcare professional shortage. Hedland Medical Clinic is now accepting new patients and offers bulk-billing for concession card holders and children under 16. A locum GP is already on-site, with additional full-time doctors expected to join the practice — each contracted for a minimum of four years. The clinic received a $60,000 grant from the Town of Port Hedland's Economic Development and Diversification Fund, which supported fit-out costs to get the facility up and running. The Town of Port Hedland also manages 10 GP houses in the area, leased to medical providers at subsidised rates — a move to help improve doctor retention. In October 2024, the council slashed rates even further, in an attempt to make Hedland a more attractive destination for healthcare professionals. The clinic will soon expand its offerings to include pathology services, reducing the need for residents to travel long distances for basic tests. While the addition of the clinic is a big boost to the town's healthcare services, Rural Health West (RHW) data indicates Hedland and the Pilbara as a whole still have a significant shortage of doctors. In the RHW Annual Workforce Update , published July 2024, the Pilbara experienced the highest proportional movement out of the region, losing 17 GPs or 27.4 per cent of its workforce. The highest reported average clinical hours worked was also in the Pilbara region (44.9 hours per week), followed by the Goldfields region (41.8 hours per week), as was the case in the previous report. There are currently nine Pilbara general practitioner positions listed on Rural Health West, three of which are based in Hedland. Town of Port Hedland mayor Peter Carter said the clinic marked a significant milestone in improving the town's healthcare services. 'Access to reliable healthcare is one of the most critical services in any community, and especially in a regional town like ours where recruitment and retention of medical professionals is an ongoing challenge,' he said. 'By supporting the opening of this new GP clinic, we are delivering on our commitment to ensure all Hedland residents can access high-quality health services close to home.' Radiant Doctors Group business development manager Richard Sykes said he and his team were excited to be able to deliver quality family healthcare to the Hedland community. 'We are focused on family and community health and look forward to the Hedland community being able to access primary health care without extended wait times, which will also alleviate some pressure on our emergency department,' he said.
West Australian
19-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Questions of consent raised at Geraldton community forum on voluntary assisted dying
A community forum in Geraldton has reignited debate around one of the most sensitive issues in WA's voluntary assisted dying laws — the role of consent, particularly for people diagnosed with degenerative brain diseases. The forum on May 9 was one of two local sessions hosted by the WA Voluntary Assisted Dying Statewide Care Navigator Service in partnership with Rural Health West, the Midwest Gascoyne Health Professional Network and the Midwest Palliative Care Service. While the first session focused on educating rural health professionals, the second was open to the public and offered a platform for community questions and concerns. In the first three years of the legislation, which came into effect in WA in July 2021, 69 first requests to access VAD were recorded in the Mid West, making it the third-highest region in the State after the South West and Great Southern, according to the 2023-24 annual report of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Board. During that time, 40 people were assessed as eligible and underwent a first clinical assessment, while there were two participating VAD medical practitioners in the Mid West. Almost 2500 people requested VAD across WA between 2021 and 2024., with 737 deaths recorded. Statewide, VAD accounts for about 1.6 per cent of all deaths. A person must meet specific criteria to access VAD, including being 18 or older, an Australian citizen or permanent resident who has lived in WA for 12 months, have a qualifying disease or illness, act voluntarily and without coercion, have an enduring request, and have decision-making capabilities. One attendee at the forum asked whether the current legislation could ever change to allow people in the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer's to make an advanced request for VAD, knowing they would eventually lose the ability to give consent. Under WA's current VAD laws, the legislation requires individuals to maintain full decision-making capacity throughout the entire process — for those with neurodegenerative diseases, they must have a prognosis of no more than 12 months to live. If that capacity is lost at any point, the process cannot go ahead. While VAD is intended to offer a compassionate choice for end of life, it does not currently accommodate advanced directives for those facing progressive degenerative conditions. When asked if advanced consent would be something considered in WA legislation, Alice Morison, a nurse co-ordinator from WA VAD Statewide Care, said while it may not be something that happens soon, it was at the forefront of most discussions about VAD. 'If I know that I have dementia, could I put something in place? If I meet specific criteria at that time, the doctor would assist me to die? We're not there yet, and I don't think we're going to be there soon, but it's on the table,' she said. 'I just don't think it will happen soon, because I think we need a bit more time to understand what this looks like. 'We're not going to know really exactly what that will look like just yet, but at the end of the day, you'd be asking someone to administer a medication that would cause your death when you can't ask for it, and that's a tricky thing.' Leesa Thomas, Rural Health West general manager education and engagement, said providing education on VAD helped to start important conversations and breakthrough the stigma surrounding the topic. 'The events empower both healthcare workers and community members to make informed choices, strengthens local care capacity, and promote respectful conversations around health and wellbeing,' she said. 'Delivering education where people live is especially important in rural and remote WA, where distance and isolation can often hinder access to information and support. By offering sessions locally, communities can engage in meaningful dialogue about important health topics that affect them directly.'
West Australian
14-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Goldfields-Esperance has second-lowest number of resident medical specialists in regional WA
A new health report says the Goldfields-Esperance has the second-lowest number of resident medical specialists in regional WA. Rural Health West's Profile of the Rural Resident Specialist Workforce 2024 says there are 205 specialists across regional WA — 12 more than the previous year and 28 per cent higher than a decade ago. The study found more than half were internationally trained, the average age was 52, and the most common specialties were paediatrics, general surgery and emergency medicine. However, the Goldfields-Esperance region had only 5.4 per cent of the rural resident specialist population, with 11 workers residing in the area — three specialists in general medicine, one in general surgery, two in obstetrics/gynaecology, four in paediatrics, and one in psychiatry. That was the second-lowest in the State — having seven more specialists than the Wheatbelt. Currently, the South West has the most specialists, with 95 workers making up 46.3 per cent of the regional total. The study also said South West specialists remained in the region for nine years on average, 1.2 years more than the average length of time of those in the Goldfields-Esperance region. However, in 2020 there were only four medical specialists who worked and resided in the Goldfields-Esperance, and the region has had a 1.4-year increase of its length of residence since 2021. Rural Health West chief executive Catherine Elliott said she was heartened to see growth in the Goldfields-Esperance region's health professionals but believed there was still room for improvement to increase the region's workforce. 'It's heartening to see gradual growth in the number of resident specialists in the Goldfields and even more encouraging to see the average length of stay increasing,' she said. 'However, we need to see continued investment in rural training pathways, housing, partner support and supervision if we want to attract and retain the next generation of specialists to the regions.' The data within the study was gathered at the census date of September 30, 2024.
