A group of registrars from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) experienced life in the Lachlan Shire recently, as part of a regional familiarisation tour showcasing the opportunities and lifestyle available across Western New South Wales.

Travelling from Forbes, the registrars followed the sculptures down the Lachlan trail before visiting the Lachlan Shire Visitor Information Centre and the iconic Utes in the Paddock.

The group also met with local health professionals and community members, gaining first-hand insight into the lifestyle, services and strong community spirit in the region.

The Lachlan Shire Council said the visit formed part of a collaborative effort to promote the Central West as a welcoming and rewarding place for medical professionals to live and work.

Mayor John Medcalf OAM said it was a pleasure to welcome the group and highlight what makes the shire special.

“Our region is known for its friendly communities, affordable lifestyle and unique natural attractions,” he said.

“Doctors and health professionals are an essential part of our community.

'We want them to see the opportunities Lachlan Shire has to offer and know they would be truly valued and supported.”

Every Community Counts

The visit formed part of the RACGP’s broader “Every Community Counts” initiative, which saw teams of general practice registrars travel through the Central West, including Dubbo, Wellington, Parkes, Forbes and Condobolin, to gain first-hand experience of rural and remote practice.

Associate Professor Kerrie Stewart, the RACGP's Regional Director of Training for Western NSW and ACT, said the visit showcased the incredible support that practices, communities and the broader rural health services provide to GP trainees.

"This is a great opportunity and I'm confident registrars will see first-hand how, outside of major cities, healthcare providers are supported both personally and professionally," she said

"We provide immersive educational experiences across regional, rural and remote settings that allow registrars to explore how they can live, work and learn, while at the same time delivering valuable healthcare within the region.

Registrars from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners recently visited Lachlan Shire, and got to see the attractions and opportunities across the region.

"This reflects the RACGP's commitment to strengthening rural and remote general practice care and supporting the next generation of GPs to provide high-quality care across Australia's many diverse communities, including in Western New South Wales."

The RACGP’s rural training programs aim to address the shortage of doctors in regional and remote Australia by encouraging trainees to experience local life and understand the benefits of practising outside metropolitan areas.

"The RACGP has managed to increase registrar numbers in Western NSW significantly, in-part by incentivising placements within identified communities of workforce need, with around 80 to 90 expected to seek training placements in the region next year," Dr Stewart said.

"We're also currently supporting 60 Australian General Practice Training registrars in the region, in addition to 26 registrars in the Fellowship Support Program training pathway, and another eight in the Practice Experience Program Specialist program, which is designed for doctors who have moved to Australia from overseas.

“Training in these communities provides doctors with diverse clinical experiences and an opportunity to make a real difference.

“It’s about more than just medical care, it’s about building long-term relationships and becoming part of the fabric of the community.”

Like many rural communities, Lachlan Shire faces ongoing challenges in attracting and retaining medical staff.

Lachlan Shire Council said in a statement that visits like this play an important role in shining a light on the many benefits of living and working in the region.

“Council looks forward to welcoming more healthcare professionals to the region in the future,” they said.

Collaboration across the Central West

The RACGP’s tour was part of a broader collaboration with local councils, health networks, and training organisations.

By pairing educational opportunities with community visits, the college hopes to inspire more registrars to consider a long-term career in the bush.

"We've also consistently called for more regional and rural placements for medical school students, and for the federal and state governments to provide additional support to rural and remote practices taking on GPs in training," Dr Stewart said.

"This could, for example, include funding for infrastructure enhancements, or simply direct financial incentive payments to practices taking on registrars.

"All patients, no matter their postcode or income, deserve access to the highest quality of general practice care."