Supporting workforce recruitment and retention

Workforce pressures in the primary healthcare sector have been exacerbated with COVID-19, but on-the-ground support from MPHN is making a difference.

It’s the practical assistance provided by MPHN that’s helping to meet some of the workforce challenges in primary health across the Murrumbidgee. MPHN’s Team Leader Primary Care Engagement and Workforce Manager Alison Jansen said we offer flexible workforce assistance based on need. “Practices can approach us directly and let us know they have a vacancy or say ‘I’ve received this CV, can you help us?’. We can assist as a start by promoting vacancies on our website, or providing advice on applicant’s CV noting medical board standard requirements have been met. Medical practitioners also directly approach MPHN specifically looking for opportunities to work in our region,” Alison explains. “The reality is, recruitment requires a whole of family approach. Practitioners will naturally form collegial bonds, however their family don’t have a ready made network and it’s important to help foster this sense of community. If we get the recruitment right, we have a better chance at retaining our workforce” Ensuring the doctor and family meet people in the town, connecting to Local Health Advisory Committee members, hospital managers, school and sporting clubs, sourcing accommodation for example, is vital to settling in and retaining our health professionals. Dr Elizabeth Campbell commenced as a general practitioner at the Lake Cargelligo Family Practice in September 2021. “Before I moved to Lake Cargelligo, I was working as a General Practitioner in Sydney, with a special interest in women’s health, reproductive health, and children’s health. Since moving to the country, I have enjoyed learning about rural medicine and am enjoying my role as Visiting Medical Officer at the local hospital. I am loving both my work and my life here,” Dr Campbell says. “Since my arrival, the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network has welcomed and helped to orient me about their programs, providing helpful information about local services for my patients and education and rural grant opportunities for myself. It has been great getting to know the MPHN team and making connections in the Murrumbidgee region.” Dr Campbell was one of the 21 new medical practitioners commencing in the Murrumbidgee region during this financial year. MPHN also offers a range of support to the education and training of medical students from the University of Wollongong while on rural placement. In this financial year, five students enjoyed their time learning and living in the Murrumbidgee.

Dr Campbell celebrates her oneyear anniversary of work at the Lake Cargelligo Family Practice with fellow GP and practice principal Dr Bardawil.