Rural Health West receives funding from WA Country Health Service to administer the Advanced Skills Support Program – Obstetrics under the Rural Health Partnership Initiative.
The following support is available for those with obstetrics advanced skills;
Mentoring – Candidates are eligible if they have obtained their Basic or Advanced RANZCOG diploma, providing that the graduate will be working in a rural location in WA where the GP obstetrics workforce is vulnerable and where there is provision to work at a regional WACHS Hospital. This stream of the program provides an excellent opportunity for participants to consolidate their skills with guidance from a supportive mentor. The mentor supports the graduate to gain experience in a range of obstetrics skills through attendance at deliveries and regular meeting.
Upskilling – Rural GPO’s who require support and upskilling to enable them to continue to practice as a GPO in a location where the obstetrics workforce is vulnerable. Funding support towards course fees, travel and accommodation expenses is considered.
Immersion – Immersions are available for doctors who are undertaking training for their Basic or Advanced RANZCOG Diploma at a RANZCOG accredited training site who at the completion of their training plan to work at a regional WACHS hospital. Funding is available to contribute towards travel and accommodation expenses. Interns and RMOs are granted one week of professional development leave by their employing hospital in order to spend a week shadowing a GPO and get a taste of what its like to live and work in the country as a procedural GP. If you are completing your training in a rural location, you are able to head to a metro hospital to complete an upskilling week.
The Advanced Skills Support Program is overseen by the GP Obstetrics Western Australian Advisory Group, comprising representatives from:
• Fiona Stanley Hospital
• King Edward Memorial Hospital
• A rural GP Obstetrician
• Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RACGP)
• Rural Clinical School (WA)
• Rural Health West
• WA Country Health Service
• Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACCRM)
For further information on the Advanced Skills Support Program – Obstetrics, please contact the Program Officer – Nicole Jacobs on 08 6389 4500 or email proceduralprograms@ruralhw.com.au
Practices Supporting GPO registrars
In 2023, the following GP clinics are mentoring GP registrars with obstetrics skills:
- Pioneer Health, Albany
- Panaceum, Geraldton
- Broadwater Medical, Busselton
In previous years, the following GP clinics have mentored GP registrars with obstetrics skills:
- Banksia Health, Esperance
- Southern Regional Medical Group, Albany
- Margaret River Medical Centre, Margaret River
- Recherche Medical Centre, Esperance
- Pioneer Health, Albany
- Health by Nurture, Bunbury
- Panaceum Seacreast, Geraldton