Get connected Rural training opportunities with GP Synergy
GP Synergy Get connected – Rural training opportunities with GP Synergy
Rural General Practice training
The following guide provides information about rural GP training and GP Synergy’s rural training region.
There are many benefits to training in a rural setting. Many registrars cite clinical exposure to a broad range of patients and presentations as being one of the most enjoyable and beneficial aspects of rural general practice training. As access to specialist services can be less readily available than in capital cities, many rural registrars also enjoy the opportunity to be more resourceful and collegiate, developing close working relationships with fellow clinicians and being part of a community. The following guide provides information about rural general practice training with GP Synergy, including profiles of our rural training region and practices.
Australian General Practice training In the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program registrars can train in general or rural pathways. There is no difference in the type of training registrars receive in either pathway, or the length of training. The only difference is that rural pathway registrars are required to complete most1 of their training in rural settings. Registrars training in a rural pathway have two fellowship endpoint options. They can elect to pursue either Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) and/or Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM).
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egistrars in a GP Synergy rural pathway are able to R complete their first year hospital based training outside the GP Synergy rural training region. All other terms are required to be undertaken with the GP Synergy rural pathway region.
Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) Training towards FRACGP is generally 3 years. The first year is hospital-based and some applicants may be eligible to apply for up to 12 months of recognition of prior learning. The second and third year of GP training involves supervised GP training placements, and an elective term where trainees can pursue a sub-speciality interest within a community or hospital-based setting. Registrars can also undertake an optional 4th year in advanced rural skills training towards the additional award – Fellowship of Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP), provided by the RACGP. Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM) Training towards FACRRM is 4 years, with opportunity for up to 24 months of recognition of prior learning. The first year of training is hospital-based. The second and third year involves primary rural and remote training in a variety of teaching environments including rural and remote accredited hospitals, Aboriginal medical services and community-based facilities. In the fourth year trainees complete an advanced specialised training placement to develop procedural skills.
Procedural skills training A significant benefit of rural pathway training is being able to access Advanced Rural Skills Posts (ARSPs). GP Synergy offers several procedural skills training positions, overseen by skilled and dedicated GP and specialist supervisors.
Training locations In the rural pathway, registrars are required to undertake their training in rural locations, known as Remoteness Areas (RAs) 2-5. The RA categories are defined by the Government in terms of ‘remoteness’ – the physical distance of a location from the nearest urban centre based on population size. GP Synergy’s rural pathway region is located in the New England/Northwest region of NSW.
Financial incentives There are several financial incentive programs available to registrars training in rural locations. This includes the General Practice Rural Incentive Payment Scheme (GPRIPS), where payments are made on a sliding scale based on RA location and duration of tenure. Some registrars may also be eligible for the HECS rebate program, where 20% of a registrar’s HECS debt is repaid each year of rural training/employment. For more information visit the Doctor Connect website – www.doctorconnect.gov.au GP Synergy also provides substantial financial support for registrars training in rural locations.
GP Synergy workshop
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GP Synergy Get connected – Rural training opportunities with GP Synergy
GP training with GP Synergy
“My training experience with GP Synergy has been extremely positive. I have been very impressed with the teaching which is practical, relevant and pitched at the right level; as well as the continuing approachability of educators and presenters and their genuine desire to help you learn. Training with a very highquality cohort of peers who are motivated, friendly, with varied interests has made training very enjoyable and I have made good friends throughout the training program.” Dr Jenny Morrison Rural pathway registrar
GP Synergy is a leading provider of general practice education, delivering a diverse range of general practice training experiences in Sydney for general pathway registrars, and in the New England/Northwest region of NSW for rural pathway registrars. We are proud to have a long-standing reputation for providing high-quality education and in-practice supervision to vocational and prevocational doctors. Our reputation stems from our unwavering commitment to providing trainees with the highest quality educational resources and in-practice training experiences.
Medical education expertise GP Synergy medical educators are dedicated and experienced general practitioners and education professionals, with a passion for quality education. Registrars training with GP Synergy benefit from education delivery and mentoring by these educators, who design relevant and up-to-date education to help registrars develop the skills they need to become confident and competent GPs.
Education program The GP Synergy education program is highly regarded by its registrars. Tailored to each stage of a registrar’s learning, the program is closely aligned with the RACGP and ACRRM curricula, and draws upon the expertise of medical education staff and leading health care professionals readily available within GP Synergy’s expansive networks. The program is tailored to meet the needs of registrars in each pathway, with many joint training opportunities across our region.
In-practice supervision As the majority of general practice training occurs in-practice, having access to experienced, dedicated and approachable GP supervisors is critical. Our supervisors are experienced and committed mentors who understand the important role hands-on supervision and quality advice plays in a trainee’s career development.
Extended skills posts GP Synergy offers an extensive range of extended skills posts where our registrars can pursue a special interest in a diverse range of hospital and community-based settings. For rural pathway registrars this includes procedural skills training posts.
Rural support GP Synergy provides generous financial support packages to support registrars during their rural general practice term training. Support can range from $5,000 up to $9,500 per 6 month term, depending on the location of training, and can be used towards living expenses, transport, self-directed education expenses and other items. GP Synergy also has a full-time employee dedicated to providing support and practical, on-the-ground assistance to GP registrars who are undertaking rural training. The Rural Support Officer can help trainees with relocation (including arranging housing and schooling) and identifying social and professional connections. For more information about training with GP Synergy, request an applicant pack – applicant@gpsynergy.com.au
The program is further enhanced by our renowned fellowship exam preparation workshop series, available only to GP Synergy registrars.
Dr Jenny Morrison, Rural Pathway GP registrar
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GP Synergy Get connected – Rural training opportunities with GP Synergy
Our region
The New England/ Northwest region is the envy of many others for its connectivity and new medical facility developments.
The GP Synergy rural training region is located in northwestern NSW, including the area known as New England. The region is renowned for its beautiful and contrasting landscapes – spectacular national parks with summits, gorges and waterfalls; vast agricultural plains; towns full of historic buildings and heritage architecture; and locations high above sea level offering the full four season experience. As the land in the region is rich and fertile, it is a large agriculture centre, producing cotton, wool, wheat and nuts, with a strong cattle and sheep farming community. The region also hosts a full calendar of events and festivals ranging from the local race days and markets, to large-scale events such as Opera in the Paddock, winery concerts, and professional sporting and industry events and shows.
GP Synergy has training practices located in towns across the region, each with its own appeal. There are two major regional centres in the region – Tamworth, which is home to the most popular rural teaching hospital in NSW; and cosmopolitan Armidale, where the University of New England (the first Australian university established outside a state capital city) is located. Other towns where registrars may train vary in size and scale, offering registrars the full range of clinical exposure and experience. All are within driving distance to the major regional centres and airports. Airports are located across the region, and provide daily direct flights to Sydney (and in some locations Brisbane and Newcastle).
Our regions NEW ENGLAND/NORTHWEST
Gold Coast 1.5 hour flight
New England/ Northwest
Sydney Central and South/Southwest
Moree
Warialda Glen Innes Inverell Bingara Coffs Harbour 2.5 hour drive
Wee Waa Narrabri Armidale Manilla Gunnedah Tamworth Werris Creek
Sydney 1 hour flight
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Healthcare facilities In addition to the region’s natural and built attractions, from a clinical perspective, the region is renowned as being one of the most well-connected and well-supported rural healthcare regions, and the envy of others. This reputation has been built through the Area Health Service’s embrace of technology and the rate of new medical facility developments occurring in the region. The major tertiary hospital in the area, Tamworth Hospital, is the most sought after training hospital amongst junior doctors seeking a rural training experience. The hospital draws an exceptional calibre of specialists, attracted by the superior facilities and services it provides. Staff specialists at this hospital are directly connected with most of the other smaller regional hospitals located across the region, via state-of-the-art video conferencing tele-health systems and online technology. The rate of new medical facility development in the northwest is astonishing – many new Multi Purpose Facilities (MPF) are located in towns across the region, or are in construction; several GP training practices are located in recently renovated or purpose-built facilities, with others currently in development; and the already extensive Tamworth Hospital is undergoing expansion with a new Cancer Centre currently being built, with further development planned. Most training practice locations are also supported by the local Ambulance Service of NSW.
Dr Lauren Cone, Rural Pathway GP registrar
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Training practices in Armidale Barney Street Medical Practice Barney Street Medical Practice is a busy, friendly training practice. The principal supervisor is a highly experienced GP with expertise in psychiatry, obstetrics and emergency medicine. The practice is well-equipped, with large spacious rooms and supportive practice staff. Faulkner Street Medical Practice Faulkner Street Medical Practice is a wellestablished teaching practice, who take a holistic approach toward diagnosis and management of illness in their provision of the highest standard of patient care. The practice has several experienced supervisors, who have a diverse range of special interests including skin cancer, injury management, musculo-skeletal complaints, diabetes, vascular medicine, paediatrics, emergency medicine, family planning, sexual health and women’s health. Integral Health Located in a recently renovated facility, Integral Health’s philosophy is to focus on the whole person: the body, mind and spirit, along with the environment and relationship with others. Supervisors have interests in a range of areas including integrative medicine, paediatrics and family health, amongst others. Rusden Street Medical Practice Rusden Street Medical Practice is a six doctor family practice, three of which practise obstetrics and all with an interest in sports medicine. The practice has three registered nurses and is heavily involved in medical student teaching. West Armidale Medical Centre West Armidale Medical Centre provides holistic general practice encompassing hospital and GP care. The practice has been involved in teaching for many years. Supervisors at the practice have interests in obstetrics, psychiatry, drug and alcohol, anaesthetics and academic medicine.
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Warialda
Armidale
Glen Innes
Inverell
Bingara Wee Waa Narrabri
Manilla Gunnedah
Armidale
Tamworth
Werris Creek
“Armidale is a fantastic town. The university and good secondary schools attract educated and self-directed people. There is an active orchestra, plays are on all the time, there are good restaurants, and it is generally a good place to live.” Dr Sasha Sarachov GP registrar
About Armidale
Healthcare facilities
Armidale is a large regional centre with a population of over 26,000, known for its tree-lined streets and beautiful, impressive architecture built in the early days of European settlement. Home to the long established University of New England, as well as several highly-regarded secondary schools and boarding schools, it has earned a reputation as an education centre, which is a major attraction to the area.
Armidale Hospital provides acute health care services to residents of Armidale and surrounds, and is a referral hospital for other smaller communities in the region.
The town has substantial retail facilities with three large shopping centres featuring well known national chains such as Coles, Woolworths, Kmart, Target and Big W, as well as many unique boutique stores. Armidale is serviced by daily flights to Sydney and Brisbane, with flight times just over 1 hour. Coffs Harbour is a 2.5 hour drive, along one of the state’s most scenic drives – the Dorrigo Waterfall Way. It is a 1 hour 15 minute drive to Tamworth, the area’s largest regional centre. The town is surrounded by national parks, offering excellent bushwalking for nature enthusiasts, with good restaurants and an array of cultural pursuits available in town for the less outdoorsy types.
The hospital has ninety-three acute care beds, six emergency department beds plus two resuscitation bays. Services provided include general medicine, surgery, day surgery, elective surgery, obstetrics, gynaecology, paediatrics, rehabilitation, anaesthetics, psychiatry, intensive care and emergency. Also on-site is a renal dialysis unit (limited care), oncology unit, palliative care, coronary care unit, radiography, pathology, pharmacy, pre-admission clinic, chemotherapy, pain clinic, operating theatres, orthopaedic/fracture clinic, stress testing, geriatric assessment unit, outpatient services, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social worker and patient transport. Hospital services are supported by a rehabilitation gymnasium, hydrotherapy pool, a Red Cross Blood Bank, dental service, pathology service and a mental health in-patient service. A Community Health Service (allied heath) is located on site, managed separately.
To find out more about Armidale and our training practices, please visit our website at www.gpsynergy.com.au/rural
Historic Booloominbah, University of New England
Armidale in Autumn (photo courtesy of University of New England)
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Training practices in Bingara Bingara Medical Centre Bingara Medical Centre is a friendly, collegiate rural teaching practice owned by Gwydir Shire Council. It is a modern, purpose-built, computerised medical centre with four consulting rooms and a treatment room that are wellequipped with up-to-date equipment and technology. The centre has two female General Practitioners, who are also Visiting Medical Officers to Bingara MPS. Practice support staff includes a practice manager, three part-time reception staff and three part-time practice nurses.
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GP Synergy Get connected – Rural training opportunities with GP Synergy Moree
Warialda Inverell
Glen Innes
Bingara
Bingara
Wee Waa Narrabri
Armidale Manilla Gunnedah
Tamworth
Werris Creek
“I would absolutely recommend training in Bingara – I was exposed to a wide range of clinical presentations, the supervision is excellent and it’s a friendly working environment.” Dr Charles Piao GP registrar
About Bingara
Healthcare facilities
Situated on the Gwydir River, Bingara is a picturesque, friendly town with a population of around 1,200.
Bingara Hospital is a recently-built Multi Purpose Facility (MPF) consisting of twenty-one beds including a two bed emergency department.
The town is the gateway to the mighty Copeton Dam. The dam holds approximately three times the volume of Sydney Harbour when at capacity and has a 900 hectare area of forest and open grassland, making it a popular holiday spot.
The hospital is serviced by two Visiting Medical Officers. Services offered by the hospital include admissions, aged care, medical, mental health, post-surgery, allied health, physiotherapy, daily pathology to Inverell, slow stream rehabilitation, emergency, palliative care, outpatients and community health. The service is equipped with a tele-health camera linked to Tamworth Hospital.
Bingara offers a variety of recreational activities including horse riding, fishing, canoeing, basketball and football. It has a swimming complex, and the Bingara sporting club caters for golf, tennis and bowls enthusiasts. The town has a public school which caters for students from Kindergarten to year 12. The major township of Inverell is located about an hour’s drive from Bingara. Towns with airports offering daily flights to Sydney, such as Moree and Tamworth are located a 1.5 hour drive and a 2 hour drive respectively.
Bingara Main Street
An ambulance service is co-located with the hospital, with several emergency response vehicles.
To find out more about Bingara and our training practices, please visit our website at www.gpsynergy.com.au/rural
Supervisor Lisa James
Gwydir River
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Training practices in Glen Innes AMH Medical AMH Medical is a well-established, recently renovated practice, with three full-time GPs, one full-time equivalent practice nurse, four reception staff and a practice manager. The practice sees a wide variety of patients, many of whom are families, prompting the practice to provide a dedicated children’s waiting room.
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Warialda
Glen Innes
Glen Innes
Inverell
Bingara Wee Waa Narrabri
Armidale Manilla Gunnedah
Tamworth
Werris Creek
Glen Innes is known for its beautiful architecture and expansive parkland.
About Glen Innes
Healthcare facilities
Glen Innes is often referred to as ‘Celtic Country’, because its first settlers were mostly Scottish. The legacy of its past are a number of beautiful historic buildings located throughout the town. The local community embrace the town’s history and annually host a popular Celtic festival in celebration of its origins. Glen Innes is also well known for its expansive, well-maintained park which stretches several blocks through the middle of the town.
Glen Innes Hospital is a thirty-two bed hospital serving the communities of Glen Innes and surrounding districts. Services include admissions, medical/acute care, maternity, hospice care unit, 24 hour emergency department, paediatric, obstetrics and outpatient services, as well as general elective surgery, and other elective surgery. Visiting specialists include aged care specialists. The hospital also has a visiting blood bank on the 2nd Tuesday of every month and an x-ray service Monday to Friday.
With a population of 9,000, Glen Innes is quite a large town and has a bustling main street with national chain stores Coles, Target and Woolworths. The town has a public primary school and high school, as well as a private Catholic primary school, St Josephs. The town has an active sports community with golf, rugby league, rugby union, soccer, lawn bowls, tennis, netball, basketball, cricket, squash and touch football. Glen Innes is located a 1.5 hour drive from the regional centre Armidale, which offers daily flights to Sydney and Brisbane.
Co-located in the hospital is the Community Health Centre which provides occupational therapy, social work, general and drug and alcohol counselling, child and family health, audiometry, speech pathology, living skills and mental health services, amongst other visiting services. For sole practitioners, clinical support and resources are available from senior practitioners in Armidale or Tamworth and the management is committed to ensuring support for new graduates.
To find out more about Glen Innes and our training practices, please visit our website at www.gpsynergy.com.au/rural
Glen Innes Parkland
The Glen Innes former nunnery
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Training practices in Gunnedah Gunnedah Rural Health Centre (GRHC) A brand new, purpose built, multi-disciplinary, integrated primary health care centre with a focus on horizontal and vertical education. Located on the grounds of Gunnedah Hospital, the centre incorporates pathology, ultrasound, library, video conferencing/board room, consulting wings, observation ward, two minor operating rooms and a coffee shop. Staff include pathology staff, ultrasonographer, five part-time practice nurses, psychologists, chiropractor, visiting specialists and up to seven GPs including registrars. Barber Street Medical Centre Barber Street Medical Centre is a holistic procedural rural general practice. Supervisors have interests in obstetrics and anaesthetics, children’s health, women’s health, geriatrics and palliative care.
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Warialda
Bingara
Gunnedah
Glen Innes
Inverell
Wee Waa Narrabri
Armidale
Gunnedah
Manilla Tamworth
Werris Creek
Located a 1 hour drive from Tamworth, Gunnedah is a ‘big’ small town.
About Gunnedah
Healthcare facilities
Gunnedah is located an easy 1 hour drive from the regional centre, Tamworth.
Gunnedah Hospital is a forty-three bed hospital providing general medical and surgical services including a day surgery care facility. Its emergency department is serviced through on call Visiting Medical Officers and the Obstetric Unit services approximately 150 deliveries per year. Other services include chemotherapy, a hospice care unit, and outpatients services. There are elective surgery services, such as general surgery, orthopaedic surgery and urological surgery.
Gunnedah is a ‘big’ small town. With a growing population of 9,000, the town has three primary schools including a public, private Catholic and private Christian school. The town also has two secondary schools (one private Catholic and one public). There are many retail facilities in Gunnedah including Woolworths, Coles and Target, with a wider variety of shops available in nearby Tamworth. Gunnedah has its own cinema, as well as a strong sporting community. The Gunnedah area is known for its abundance of native wildlife, including kangaroos, echidnas and koalas.
The local Health Service has a broad range of community health services including child and family health, Aboriginal health, chronic and aged services, physiotherapy and x-ray facilities. A public health dental clinic is also co-located on site. The hospital has a helipad and can access the Westpac Helicopter Service and Childflight services to Newcastle. NSW Ambulance services are located in Gunnedah, and there is a pathology service. A subsidised three bedroom townhouse is available for registrars training in Gunnedah.
To find out more about Gunnedah and our training practices, please visit our website at www.gpsynergy.com.au/rural
Gunnedah Main Street
Dr Grahame Deane, supervisor
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Training practices in Inverell Armajun Aboriginal Medical Service Armajun Aboriginal Medical Service is a modern, purpose built facility with treatment rooms and a large teaching space. There are numerous practice staff, who create a friendly and supportive team-based environment. Evans Street Surgery The Evans Street Surgery is an established, friendly rural group practice with four full-time practitioners with one full-time practice manager, six part-time registered nurses, plus reception staff. The practice offers a comprehensive range of family medical services, as well as geriatrics, aboriginal health, mental health, obstetrics, family planning, women’s health, orthopaedics, paediatrics, anaesthetics, skin cancer, and occupational health. St Elmo Medical Practice St Elmo Medical Practice has been a teaching practice for many years. The practice has two accredited supervisors and a range of visiting specialists and allied health. Supervisors have a range of interests and expertise including a GP Obstetrician who has a regular surgical list at Inverell Health Service. Registrars are encouraged to pursue areas of special interest.
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GP Synergy Get connected – Rural training opportunities with GP Synergy Moree
Warialda
Bingara
Inverell
Glen Innes
Inverell
Wee Waa Narrabri
Armidale Manilla Gunnedah
Tamworth
Werris Creek
“I completed my GPT1 and GPT2 in Inverell and had a fantastic time. It is the gateway to some of the most amazing Australian landscapes and national parks. There are many small but unique towns, as well as some famous wineries scattered around the region.” Dr Gary Lee GP Registrar
About Inverell
Healthcare facilities
Inverell is a large town with a population of over 15,000. Proclaimed as a municipality in 1872, the town features some beautiful, historic buildings. It is located on the Macintyre River and its proximity to the substantial Copeton Dam provides many water-based recreational pursuits.
Inverell is served by a comprehensive range of medical services, with a number of GP’s supported by a range of specialist medical services and visiting specialists.
There are two primary schools in Inverell and two local public high schools. There is also a Catholic school which caters for students from Kindergarten to Year Ten. There are a range of retail facilities in Inverell, including many national chains such as Woolworths, Coles, Harvey Norman and Target. The town also has a cinema, golf course, gym and a variety of places to eat. Festivals take place throughout the year including ‘Opera in Paddock’, amongst many others. Inverell is a 1 hour 45 minute drive to Moree or a 2 hour drive to Armidale, which both offer regular flights to Sydney.
The town has a forty-nine bed district hospital. On-site services include emergency, a preadmission clinic for maternity, palliative care, gynaecology, obstetrics, outpatients, radiology, pathology, physiotherapy, rehabilitation unit, chemotherapy, Red Cross Blood Bank (monthly), pain clinic (monthly), occupational therapy, renal dialysis (three times per week), operating theatre, dental service, patient transport and Aboriginal liaison services. In addition the hospital also offers elective surgery, such as eye and cataract surgery, general surgery, gynaecological and urological surgery. The hospital is connected to Tamworth Hospital with tele-health videoconferencing and PAMS. A Community Health facility is also located within the hospital grounds.
To find out more about Inverell and our training practices, please visit our website at www.gpsynergy.com.au/rural
Inverell Town Hall
Dr Gary Lee, Rural pathway registrar
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Training practices in Manilla Rural Medical Clinic Rural Medical Clinic has a long history of involvement with medical education, training registrars and medical students for many years. The practice offers a supportive learning environment with practice nurses and visiting staff specialists and allied health regularly from Tamworth.
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Warialda
Bingara
Manilla
Glen Innes
Inverell
Wee Waa Narrabri
Armidale
Manilla Gunnedah
Tamworth
Werris Creek
Manilla is located 45 minutes from Tamworth, in close proximity to many natural attractions.
About Manilla
Healthcare facilities
Manilla is a short 45 minute drive from the major regional centre, Tamworth, which has a significant shopping precinct, and airport offering daily flights to Sydney, Brisbane and Newcastle.
Manilla Hospital is a recently built seventeen bed Multi Purpose Facility comprising ten aged care beds, seven acute medical based beds, an emergency department and maternity unit.
Manilla has a population of around 2,100. It is recognised internationally as being one of the best aero sport destinations in the world, with Mount Bolah deemed to be one of the greatest paragliding, sky sailing and hang-gliding sites.
The hospital is serviced by admissions, hospice care unit, outpatients, community health facility. There are several outreach services provided to Manilla Hospital from Tamworth Hospital such as speech therapy, audiology, pathology, radiology, mental health, palliative care, paediatrics and orthopaedics.
The town is also popular for its proximity to Attunga State Forest and the two major water parks – Split Rock Dam and Lake Keepit. Both dams offer excellent fishing and are great recreational areas for water sports. There are three primary schools in Manilla, including one Catholic school and one secondary school.
A physiotherapy outreach service is provided to Manilla Hospital from Gunnedah Hospital.
To find out more about Manilla and our training practices, please visit our website at www.gpsynergy.com.au/rural
Manilla countryside
Manilla town centre
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Training practices in Moree Associate Medical Practice Associate Medical Practice is a large, established teaching practice, with a collegiate, team-based environment. The practice has four full-time associates and can train up to two registrars at one time. Supervisors at the practice have a range of special interests including obstetrics, emergency medicine and anaesthesia, with one the recipient of the Rural Doctor of Year Award. Balo Street Medical Centre Balo Street Medical Practice is a wellorganised rural General Practice, training medical students for 30 years and GP registrars for 25 years. The principal supervisor was recently awarded the Order of Australia for his contribution to rural medicine, and has expertise in a number of areas including obstetrics and anaesthesia. Pius X Aboriginal Medical Service Pius X Aboriginal Corporation is a welcoming, community focused organisation delivering culturally appropriate services and programs aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of the Aboriginal Community. It is located in a modern, multi-purpose facility with a number of allied health professionals located on-site in addition to numerous visiting specialists.
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GP Synergy Get connected – Rural training opportunities with GP Synergy
Warialda
Moree
Moree
Glen Innes
Inverell
Bingara Wee Waa Narrabri
Armidale Manilla Gunnedah
Tamworth
Werris Creek
“Come to Moree, I would love to share it with you. The practice is rewarding, there is a great balance between general and procedural practice, an active social circle (the races, opera, art galleries) and a tight young professionals organisation.” Dr Coralie Endean GP registrar
About Moree
Healthcare facilities
Moree is a large town with a population of over 10,000. Due to its rich black soil, it is a major agricultural centre, known for its grain and cotton produce. As the town sits atop a large artesian basin, a key attraction is its naturally hot, mineral spring spa baths.
The fifty-two bed Moree Hospital is part of the Moree Plains Health Service which provides a wide range of services including community health, primary health, aged care, mental health and outreach services.
Moree has excellent transport connections, with daily direct flights to Sydney (except Saturday) of less than 1.5 hours in duration, and train services daily via Countrylink. The town has four primary schools – two public and two private (one Catholic and one Christian), and four secondary schools (two public, one Catholic and one Christian). It has a renowned 18-hole golf course, an Olympic 50 metre pool and an active social event program. As the community in Moree is diverse, with a large indigenous population and a demographic skewed towards the younger and middle-aged, the clinical exposure registrars can experience is significant.
The hospital is serviced by a 24 hour emergency department that is supported with x-ray, ultra scan and pathology services, dialysis unit, hospice care unit, obstetrics, chemotherapy (two days per week), oncology unit and an outpatient service. There is an eight bed maternity ward and a six chair renal unit that operates six days per week. The hospital undertakes elective surgery, such as ear, nose and throat surgery, eye surgery, general surgery, gynaecological surgery, orthopaedic surgery and other elective surgery. There is also a day surgery. The hospital is supported with videoconferencing facilities to Tamworth Hospital. A Community Health Centre provides allied health services and the service is supported by the Moree Ambulance Service. Moree also has a small Aboriginal Health Service that is funded by the NSW Department of Health through the Hunter North East Area Health Service. An important part of its work is the Cardiovascular Project, aiming at early detection and management of cardiovascular disease. Subsidised accommodation is available for registrars training in Moree.
To find out more about Moree and our training practices, please visit our website at www.gpsynergy.com.au/rural
Moree Hospital
Dr Coralie Endean, Rural Pathway GP registrar
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Training practices in Tamworth Barton Lane Practice A busy, friendly practice established since 1892 with a long history of involvement in medical education and teaching. It is owned by two partners who are also supervisors, with five parttime associate doctors in addition to registrars. Northwest Health – Homespace and Calala Northwest Health has four sites, three of which are modern, spacious facilities located in Tamworth. The principal supervisor has over 10 years experience in rural training. Prevocational and vocational trainees enjoy regular teaching sessions, clinical meetings and journal club. Peel Health Care A modern, friendly practice with a professional team of GPs, practice nurses, podiatrists, physiotherapist, clinical psychologist and visiting psychiatrists. The practice has two experienced supervisors, one of whom is an RACGP College examiner. Smith Street Practice Smith Street Practice recently moved to new premises featuring seven consulting rooms, three practice nurse rooms including a procedure room, and a large teaching room area. The two practice principals are both part-time female GPs who have a strong emphasis on sustainability of general practice rural workforce. Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service (TAMS) TAMS is located in a new, purpose facility and has been involved in registrar training for several years. The practice offers an excellent training experience for registrars interested in Aboriginal health and is a friendly, team-based environment. TAMS is currently only available under special conditions and upon application to the Director of Training.
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GP Synergy Get connected – Rural training opportunities with GP Synergy Moree
Warialda
Tamworth
Glen Innes
Inverell
Bingara Wee Waa Narrabri
Armidale Manilla Gunnedah
Tamworth
Werris Creek
Tamworth is the largest regional centre in northwestern NSW with a population exceeding 50,000.
About Tamworth
Healthcare facilities
Tamworth is the largest regional centre in northwestern NSW. Located midway between Brisbane and Sydney, it has a population of around 50,000 and provides important services to many communities in the New England/ Northwest region.
Tamworth Hospital is a 270 bed rural referral hospital with a 24-hour level 5 emergency department and eight bed intensive care unit. It has the busiest non-metro emergency department in NSW with approximately 43,000 presentations per annum (25% admitted and 27% paediatric). Tamworth Hospital conducts over 9,000 surgical procedures per annum.
The retail industry is one of the town’s largest employers and most national chains (with the exception of department stores Myers and David Jones) can be found in Tamworth. The area has several claim to fames – it is recognised by many as the sporting horse capital of Australia, with a thriving equine centre boasting four major equine association headquarters; it is home to the renowned Tamworth Country Music Festival; and is one of the primary pilot-screening and training facilities in Australia, with students from across the nation (as well as Singapore) sent to Tamworth to learn how to become Defence Force Pilots. The town enjoys excellent transport links with multiple daily, direct flights to Sydney, Brisbane and Newcastle. Servicing the region is Tamworth Hospital – the most sought-after rural teaching hospital in NSW by junior doctors, attracted to the personalised, supported and quality teaching experiences the hospital provides.
On-site services include chemotherapy, coronary care unit, dialysis unit emergency department, geriatric assessment unit, hospice care unit, intensive care unit, obstetrics, surgery (including elective, general, ENT, eye, gynaecological, orthopaedic and urological surgery), oncology unit, outpatients services, paediatrics unit, psychiatric unit, cardiac catheterisation laboratory, retrieval service for New England/ Northwest area and a full complement of allied health services. There are also annexes of the hospital that GP’s can refer patients to and these include, Children and Families Services, Sexual Health, Brain Injuries Rehabilitation Unit, Community Mental Health, Banksia House, Hilltop Lodge, mental health and drug and alcohol in-patient services. A new regional cancer centre is currently under construction in the Tamworth Hospital grounds.
To find out more about Tamworth and our training practices, please visit our website at www.gpsynergy.com.au/rural
Tamworth Hospital, University of New England
Aerial view of Tamworth
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Training practices in Warialda Warialda Medical Centre Warialda Medical Centre is a recently built, spacious premises with a treatment room and visiting specialist rooms. It is a fully computerised practice run by husband and wife team, Drs Clem Gordon and Di Coote who were joint recipients of the Australian Rural GP Award.
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Warialda Bingara
Warialda
Glen Innes Inverell
Wee Waa Narrabri
Armidale Manilla Gunnedah
Tamworth
Werris Creek
Warialda is a quaint, friendly small town, with a strong sense of community.
About Warialda
Healthcare facilities
Located between Moree, Inverell and Bingara, Warialda is a quaint town with a small, friendly community of around 1,300. It is also the service centre for the surrounding local agricultural sector.
Warialda has an integrated health service that includes a Community Hospital and a Community Health Centre.
Warialda serves as an education precinct for local families with a strong base of excellent education facilities including preschools, public schools, Catholic schools, TAFE outreach centres and vocational education programs. Agriculture, health and education are the primary industries providing support for a small but thriving business sector. Some of the local businesses include a supermarket, hardware store, cafes, service stations, butcher, hotels, golf and bowling club, along with other small businesses providing a cross-section of goods and services. Warialda is a 1 hour drive from Moree – which has daily flights to Sydney (excluding Saturdays), and a 45 minute drive to Inverell which has a range of shopping facilities and cinema.
The hospital is a recently built, modern Multi Purpose Facility (MPF) which has twenty-five beds (ten acute and fifteen long stay) and is serviced by 24 hour emergency department. Services available within the hospital include x-ray and radiology (every Tuesday), physiotherapy (every Wednesday), speech pathology (three days per week), early childhood (three days per week) and a social worker (three days per week). The hospital is connected with video conference facilities to Tamworth Hospital. Additional services that are available within the hospital include pathology, respite care, outpatient services, occupation therapy (three days per week), drug and alcohol clinic, mental health clinic, dietician and diabetic educator (once per fortnight) and audiology (three days per week). There is also an outreach primary health care nurse as well as an ambulance station with two operating ambulances and a helipad which can transfer patients to Tamworth Base Hospital. A fully-furnished house, which is owned by one of the doctors, is available at a subsidised rate to GP registrars.
To find out more about Warialda and our training practices, please visit our website at www.gpsynergy.com.au/rural
Main street of Warialda
Dr Maxine Percival, supervisor
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Training practices in Wee Waa Wee Waa Medical Centre Wee Waa Medical Centre is a modern and spacious general practice facility, offering registrars wide clinical exposure including Aboriginal health, adolescent health, counselling, drugs and alcohol, ear, nose and throat, geriatrics, HIV medicine, men’s health, mental health, obstetrics, paediatrics, sexual health and minor surgery.
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Warialda
Wee Waa
Glen Innes
Inverell
Bingara
Wee Waa
Narrabri
Armidale Manilla Gunnedah
Tamworth
Werris Creek
Wee Waa services a large rural community and is located only 30 minutes drive from the larger town of Narrabri.
About Wee Waa
Healthcare facilities
Although it only has a population of around 2,000, Wee Waa services a much wider rural community. As the land surrounding Wee Waa is rich, fertile farming land, many smaller, outlying rural villages rely heavily on the town for critical services and facilities. Patients often travel considerable distances for primary health care, and hence are very friendly and appreciative of the general practice provision.
The Wee Waa integrated health service provides healthcare to the residents of Wee Waa and outlying areas of Pilliga, Gwabegar and Burren Junction.
Wee Waa is located a 30 minute drive from Narrabri, which offers daily flights to Sydney, every second-day flights to Brisbane and Newcastle once a week. The town is also serviced by Countrylink trains. There are four schools in Wee Wee offering preschool to secondary schooling. The town has a swimming pool, 9-hole golf course, bowling club, tennis courts, a modern sporting complex, a hostel for the aged, a new medical centre and a multi-function Sports Complex, which acts as a de facto Community Centre.
It includes Wee Waa Community Hospital, which is a twenty-two bed acute bed facility serviced by 24 hour emergency department. It provides stabilization and transfer as required, medical admissions, paediatric admissions as appropriate deemed by GP in liaison with a paediatrician. Community health services in the area includes nursing services in Wee Waa five days per week, early childhood services, Aboriginal maternal and infant health service, cardiac rehabilitation service and asthma education. The health service is supported by the Wee Waa Ambulance Service which has two full emergency response ambulance vehicles, and the nearby recently completed new Narrabri Hospital – a thirty-four bed facility. Visiting services to Wee Waa from Narrabri include Aboriginal health, aged care assessments, audiometry service, diabetic education, dietician, drug and alcohol, mental health, occupational therapy, palliative care, speech pathology and women’s health.
To find out more about Wee Waa and our training practices, please visit our website at www.gpsynergy.com.au/rural
Wee Waa Main Street
Wee Waa Community Medical Centre
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Training practices in Werris Creek Northwest Health – Werris Creek Northwest Health at Werris Creek is part of the Northwest Health practice group, which has three other sites located in nearby Tamworth. The practice has a diverse range of patients offering registrars exposure to a variety of clinical presentations.
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Warialda
Werris Creek
Glen Innes
Inverell
Bingara Wee Waa Narrabri
Armidale Manilla Gunnedah
Tamworth
Werris Creek
Werris Creek is located an easy 45 minute drive from Tamworth.
About Werris Creek
Healthcare facilities
Werris Creek is an outlying town of the regional hub, Tamworth, an easy 45 minute drive away.
Werris Creek Hospital is currently a fourteen bed facility. The hospital will shortly relocate to a new Multi Purpose Facility (MPF), scheduled for completion in June 2012. This purposebuilt facility will have sixteen beds in addition to a number of other services.
The town has one primary school, a swimming pool, tennis courts, bowling green, active rugby league team and golf club. Facilities within the town itself are limited, with most residents regularly travelling the short distance to Tamworth for a wide variety of services and facilities. The town is known for the Australian Railway Monument which commemorates the lives of the railway men and women of Australia, killed on duty, or as a result of injuries sustained on duty.
The hospital works in-conjunction with the nearby, Tamworth and Quirindi hospitals.
To find out more about Werris Creek and our training practices, please visit our website at www.gpsynergy.com.au/rural
The main employer in town is the railway, although there is also a grain silo and mine. Many residents travel to Tamworth for work. Werris Creek is also located within three hours of beaches in Newcastle and four hours of Australia’s coastal resorts of Forster, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour.
Werris Creek Railway Station and Museum
Dr Alex Brown
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GP Synergy Get connected – Rural training opportunities with GP Synergy
GP training with GP Synergy
There are a number of ways you can find out more about GP Synergy and general practice.
Visit our website: www.gpsynergy.com.au Find out more about training with GP Synergy, explore our training regions, download a rural training pack, review the profiles of our training practices, supervisors, staff, and more.
Join our mailing list Sign up for regular e-news updates at our website.
Request an applicant pack GP Synergy has a comprehensive pack to help answer applicants questions. Email us on applicant@gpsynergy.com.au
Undertake a PGPPP term PGPPP is the Prevocational General Practice Placements Program, an accredited 10/11 week rotation available for doctors at hospitals across NSW. To find out more talk to your JMO Manager or contact us on 02 9818 4433.
Attend a workshop GP Synergy runs clinical skills workshops for junior doctors and medical students. For more information visit our website.
Contact us We are happy to answer your queries about GP Synergy or GP training anytime. Call us on (02) 9818 4433 or send us an email: applicant@gpsynergy.com.au
Dr Charles Piao, Rural pathway GP registrar
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Would you like to know more about GP Synergy or applying to GP training?
Visit our website: www.gpsynergy.com.au Find out more about training with GP Synergy, explore our training regions, review the profiles of our training practices, supervisors, staff, and more.
Contact us: 02 9818 4433 We are happy to answer your queries about GP Synergy or GP training anytime. Call us on (02) 9818 4433 or send us an email: applicant@gpsynergy.com.au
Visit the AGPT website: www.agpt.com.au The AGPT website has the latest, most comprehensive information about applying to GP training.
GP Synergy Chippendale: 02 9818 4433 Liverpool: 02 9756 5711 Armidale: 02 6776 6225 Moree: 02 6752 7354 E: applicant@gpsynergy.com.au W: www.gpsynergy.com.au All information correct at time of printing, however can be subject to change.