+61 2 4924 8000
Rural GPs Conference shares knowledge and celebrates rural medicine
30th November 2024
Last week, GPs had the opportunity to attend Rural Doctors Network (RDN)’s annual Rural GPs Conference, an event which attracts rural doctors from across NSW and beyond and offers the opportunity to connect, network, listen, learn and be rejuvenated. Now a part of Rural Health Month, this year's Conference was hosted by the RDN and the Rural Doctors' Association of NSW, and supported by the NSW Ministry of Health from 28 November to 1 December, at the newly refurbished Manly Pacific Hotel in Sydney.
With a program designed specifically for rural GPs, the conference featured relevant clinical and non-clinical sessions, hands-on workshops, and fun social events, with content tailored to rural practice needs, and accredited by ACRRM and RACGP.
Once again the conference included a fully supervised Children’s Program and a range of activities for partners including networking events, and relaxing massages in the beautful surroundings of Manly Beach.
The diverse Conference program included an address from the National Rural Health Commissioner Professor Jenny May AM; a Politicians' Forum with Dr Joe McGirr MP, Chair, Legislative Assembly Select Committee on Remote, Rural and Regional Health and Gurmesh Singh MP, Shadow Minister for Regional Health; workshops on Geriatrics, SIM: Respiratory failure and Management of skin malignancy; and presentations on topics including diabetes, asthma and acute rash in adulthood in rural settings as well as an "International perspective - Healthcare access in remote Indonesia" presentation.
"We co-located the Rural GP's Conference with Medical Student Rural Inspiration Conference again this year, and have hosted bigger numbers than ever before for these events, so it's super exciting to have everyone coming together to be able to learn, to be able to connect with each other, and most importantly all of us celebrating the great work that’s happening in rural health," said RDN and Rural Health Pro Manager of Conferences and Events, Lindsey Eifler.
"We’re also delighted to have hosted guests from the University of Pattimura in Indonesia, who spoke at a number of different events and shared some updates on healthcare access in rural Indonesia. With the inclusion of the presentations from our Indonesian delegation, we’re able to share the best of research and actions around healthcare access that’s occurring around the world with the Australian audience, and also what’s happening in Australia with an international audience."
RDN CEO Richard Colbran was also delighted to be able to welcome such a diverse representation of remote, rural and regional GPs to the RDN conference, representing both long-serving and up-and-coming practitioners. "For me personally, one of the great highlights of this event this weekend is the fact that we’ve got close to 180 medical students coming to work and participate and engage with the rural network of doctors and other clinicians in preparing themselves and their training through to their career and their professions," he said.
Rural Medical Service Awards
As always, a highlight of the Rural GPs Conference was the dinner and presentation of the Rural Medical Service Awards which took place on Saturday evening, an important moment of recognition honouring GPs who have spent the past 35 years or more caring for remote, rural and regional communities in New South Wales. Few things are valued more highly by country communities than the peace of mind that comes with having a “local doctor” as part of the fabric of their community.
Related reading:
- 180 future doctors gather in Manly to foster and celebrate the future of rural health
- RDN unveils alumni program to celebrate 35 years of the Rural Resident Medical Officer Cadetship
- Practice Managers Conference inspires “unsung heroes” of rural practice
- New GP Orientation Workshops
