I had the privilege of co-presenting at the Rural Workforce Agency of Victoria’s (RWAV) annual conference earlier in February and I was reminded about how often we hear deficit language when we talk and read about rural health workforce. So, armed with a microphone and a captive audience, I thought we need to flip that narrative.
Never has there been a better time to work in rural regions. Maybe more specifically (at the risk of being super parochial), never has there been a better time to work in the Loddon Mallee region.
The strength of partnership that exists between health services across the region is remarkable, and there is no better example of this partnership than through Connecting the Docs. Collectively, health services who are represented through the Steering Committee offer a wide range of different clinical settings, models of care and community contexts. And while we are all different \, we work together to recruit, retain and develop our health workforce. We are stronger when we work together. As a relative newcomer, Ive been struck by the generosity of time, knowledge and support that has come from my peers across the region. Its this level of partnership and good faith that leads to innovative and integrated delivery models and Im so pleased to support this work through Connecting the Docs.
NDCH is an independent, community health organisation servicing small rural communities across a wide geography. Our General Practitioners work hand in glove with a range of clinical and non-clinical professionals to provide holistic, patient centred care to keep people well and out of hospital. We were so pleased to welcome a new GP to the team earlier this year through the invaluable support from Connecting the Docs. Our new GP has come to us through the Remote Vocational Training Scheme with Connecting the Docs providing seamless support throughout the process. It has been wonderful to welcome him and his family to our community.
So if you are curious about a career in the Loddon Mallee, I’m serious, there has never been a better time.
Penny Wilkinson | Chief Executive Officer
Northern District Community Health
