Rural Health Partnership Initiative (RHPI)
The Rural Health Partnership Initiative is a coordinated, targeted response to address the challenges faced by rural doctors across the State. It is a partnership between WA Country Health Service and Rural Health West to ensure doctors can access relevant ongoing medical training, timely locum support, and professional mentoring, and that their families are well supported to live and work across rural Western Australia.
Advanced Skills Support Program
The Advanced Skills Support Program assists in supporting those with advanced skills in Obstetrics, Anaesthetics and Emergency Medicine to enable them to commence or continue to practise independently in a rural location.
The funding support available includes, but is not limited to;
- Mentoring – Linked with an experienced mentor for up to 12 months. Eligibility includes those who have recently obtained their advanced skills, providing that the graduate will be working in a rural location in Western Australia where the workforce is vulnerable and where there is provision to work at a regional WACHS hospital.
- Immersion – Funding for trainees to experience a one or two-week rural immersion in a rural location. Eligibility includes doctors who are competing their advanced skills training, who at the completion of their training plan to work in a rural location where the workforce is vulnerable, and where there is provision to work at a regional WACHS hospital.
- Upskilling – Funding is available to undertake education courses and workshops including travel and accommodation expenses. Eligibility includes those who have attained their advanced skills who require support and upskilling to enable them to continue to practice in a location where the workforce is vulnerable.
- Clinical Visits – Procedural rural GPs can request a one-day visit from an experienced practitioner.
Please note: Those who are solely employed by WA Country Health Service are ineligible.