Royal Australian College of General Practitioners meets with Geraldton GPs to discuss key issues

The national body representing GPs met with Geraldton doctors on Thursday to discuss workforce concerns in the hope of improving rural healthcare access.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Dr Nicole Higgins, vice-president Dr Bruce Willett and WA chair Dr Ramya Raman visited Geraldton GP practices and a rural training school on Thursday to hear local voices immersed in the provision of regional healthcare.

“We know that many rural and remote communities lack local health services, and people’s health suffers as a result,” Dr Raman said.

“People living in rural communities have lower life expectancies and worse health outcomes than those in Australia’s major metropolitan cities.”

Dr Higgins said building the GP workforce was a key priority for the organisation.

“This problem won’t be fixed overnight, and it requires help from governments to make general practice and rural practice an attractive and viable career,” she said.

“However, I’m optimistic that our approach to GP training, and the new systems and technology we have that gives us a holistic view of community needs across Australia, will make a difference.”