| From the Chief Executive |
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2010 has started extremely positively for RWAV with the news that we have already reached 80% of our 2009-10 doctor recruitment target.
This is a terrific outcome for so many communities right across Victoria who continue to experience significant medical workforce shortages. |
As the map below demonstrates, we have so far placed 62 doctors in all regions of Victoria. Additionally, we have 12 qualified doctors ready to commence in practice over the coming months.
You will also read in the updates below that we continue to make excellent progress against all Business Plan KPIs. Our coordination of locum and specialist outreach programs has resulted in considerable assistance to the doctors we support and the rural communities we serve.
Our decision to appoint two full time staff to work in Aboriginal health is already paying dividends with the placement of six doctors to service some our highest need communities in the State.
And we are continuing to hold Community Workforce Roundtables to research local community health needs and consult with all community stakeholders to identify and implement sustainable workforce solutions.
I look forward to providing further updates to you throughout the year.
Claire Austin
Chief executive
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Recruitment on Target
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In the period from 1st July 2009, we have recruited 62 GPs who are currently working in rural and regional Victoria.
A further 12 doctors have been recruited and accepted positions and will commence in the next couple of months.
This means that we have already achieved 80% of our recruitment target for the 2009-10 fiscal year.
Assessment Centre
The assessment centre’s ability to provide assessments on a weekly basis allows timely and efficient avenues to medical registration for doctors seeking to work in all areas of rural and regional Victoria.
For a more detailed view of the map below, click here.
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Collaboration = Results General Practice Victoria CEO Bill Newton and RWAV’s Chief Executive Claire Austin met with senior policy officials from the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing’s office this month to discuss the findings from a joint study of Victorian Divisions Workforce Capacity. |
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The study that was conducted during 2008-09 investigated workforce issues, capacity and responses across divisions of general practice in Victoria.
The study drew upon the strong working relationship between RWAV and GPV, different knowledge areas and skills of the partner organisations.
The study examined local workforce issues, the nature of workforce services currently provided by Victorian divisions of general practice, the capacity of divisions to respond to issues and contribution to workforce development.
The study’s impetus was the recognition that significant workforce shortages exist in primary health and are now encroaching from rural and remote environments, to outer metropolitan and middle suburban areas.
To read about the state-wide key findings and recommendations go to the Executive Summary and Recommendations.
For the full report click here.
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Giving GPs a break
Since July 2009, RWAV has facilitated, via a number of programs, nearly 450 sessions of locum services throughout Victoria. This equates to 45 weeks of welcome respite for GPs.
A locum is now directly employed by RWAV and we are coordinating a number of other locums to ensure that RWAV becomes a central point for the management of rural locum supply and demand.
We will also be providing locum services through the Rural GP Locum Program administered by the Rural Health Workforce Australia.
To see if your practice is eligible for locum relief, contact Angela Phillips. |
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Specialist Services for Rural and Regional Victoria |
RWAV has successfully obtained additional specialist services for rural and regional Victorian communities. The RWAV administrated Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program (MSOAP) delivers specialist services in areas of Victoria that may otherwise have to travel some distances to receive the necessary care.
Since the period July 1, 2009 MSOAP doctors have delivered 2815 sessions of specialist services to our rural and regional communities.
MSOAP provides many Victorians with access to much needed specialist services including anaesthetics, cardiology, gynaecology, paediatrics and rheumatology.
For a more detailed view of the map below, click here.
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A Seat at the Table |
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In December 2009 the RWAV executive team and our Chairman Dr Philip Webster met with the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, Federal Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Health Services to discuss key health issues affecting regional Victoria. |
The briefings focussed on a number of critical areas affecting the health sector including workforce recruitment, Specialist Outreach programs, Closing the Gap initiatives, community workforce roundtables, RWAV research projects and Business Advisory services.
The Minister was introduced to RWAV staff members and expressed his appreciation for the detailed briefing provided by RWAV.
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Strengthening Rural Victoria |
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The force behind the workforce - Rural Division workforce officers
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Nearly half of Victoria’s Division of General Practice rural workforce officers met with RWAV’s recruitment, workforce and policy teams this week to learn about the latest developments and trends in health workforce issues affecting regional Victoria.
The day focussed on recruitment pathways, program criteria, assessment and recruitment case management and the new locum programs available to Divisions of General Practice.
Commenting on the success of the day, Tony Mackinnon RWAV Recruitment General Manager said:
“The events are a great opportunity to build on the synergy between RWAV and the rural Divisions of General Practice and update our collaborative knowledge and understanding of recruitment, retention and support of general practitioners.”
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Sustaining General Practice in Regional Victoria
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RWAV has developed a unique tool that ranks general practices according a composite measure of need that is based on socio-economic status (SEIFA), health status (Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions), remoteness, community indicators, workforce measures and practice measures.
The Sustainable Practice Index is used by RWAV to identify and support regional general practices that we consider to be at risk, to demonstrate the communities’ needs and for service planning purposes.
The index is being refined and trialled within RWAV and will be expanded to also apply to communities in regional Victoria.
For more information, please contact Sharon Kosmina.
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Policy Update - English Language Proficiency
The RACGP and the Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria have reached agreement that evidence of current medical registration is sufficient enough to verify that a doctor has met the Medical Board’s English Language Proficiency requirements.
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RACGP Assessment Department staff has received a directive as of Thursday 4th February 2010 to submit any application for the assessment of Australian or Overseas General Practice experience for review by a College Censor with current medical registration as a substitute for written confirmation from a medical board of an applicant’s English Language Proficiency.
Any further clarification of this issue should be taken up with RACGP’s Manager College Admissions Dr Greg Wilson or Director, Dr Brendan Grabau. |
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