The Maranoa played host to the 20-year celebration of rural generalist practice in Queensland.
The forum came after positive news that Rural Generalists (RG) will now be formally recognised as a specialist medical field within general practice in the Australian healthcare system following an announcement by the Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler MP.
As GPs with extended scope via a year of additional training in emergency medicine and a selection of disciplines needed in rural communities such as child health, mental health, surgery, and obstetrics, Rural Generalists provide invaluable healthcare to their communities.
This is a positive step forward in making the rural generalism career pathway more visible and ensuring that RGs are always appropriately remunerated for the vital work they do in rural and remote communities across Australia,” RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said.
“We must keep pushing forward to make sure we have the right funding incentives in place that allow them to take on additional training and additional skills, including working in local hospitals, and much more.
“RGs are the bedrock of towns nationwide, and it’s only fair that their profession is now distinctly recognised as a vital part of our healthcare system.”
The Queensland Rural Generalist Forum held from Wednesday to Friday, 1 to 3 October in the Roma Cultural Centre was a great time for all as an array of laughter, conversation and education was had – all under a theme of framing the future.
Forum speaker and spokesperson for Major Projects, Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy Deputy Mayor Cameron O’Neil said the forum was a great opportunity to talk about what the future holds in the medical field.
“Seeing the 160 strong group of medical professionals come together to celebrate the success of the last 20 years of rural generalisim while setting the pathway for the next 20 illustrates the strength of this program in providing healthcare to rural and regional Queensland,” Cr O’Neil said.
“It all started in Roma in 2005 and was great that the region could host this milestone forum again.”
“Maranoa Regional Council is committed to working with the sector, our South West Hospital and Health service, Governments and the broader community to ensure our region has access to the best possible health care.”
