Rural Doctors Foundation

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Caring for the caregivers

New partnership with Western Queensland Primary Health Network brings vital support to rural health workers in Western Queensland

A new partnership is bringing much-needed support to the heart of rural Queensland

Rural Doctors Foundation is excited to have the support of Western Queensland Primary Health Network (WQ PHN) to expand GPs4RuralDocs—a unique program designed to support the health and wellbeing of rural GPs, nurses and allied health professionals. The initiative will soon be rolled out in the communities of Blackall and Barcaldine.

At its core, GPs4RuralDocs is about looking after those who care for others. It provides confidential, independent healthcare specifically for rural health practitioners—ensuring they can access the care they need without leaving town or turning to colleagues or supervisors.

“When rural health professionals feel supported—physically, mentally and emotionally—they’re better able to care for their patients and more likely to remain in their communities,” says Rural Doctors Foundation CEO Fran Avon. “This program offers a trusted space for them to prioritise their own health.”

The partnership with WQ PHN reflects a shared commitment to improving rural health outcomes by supporting the people who deliver care. WQ PHN CEO Sandy Gillies says the collaboration aligns perfectly with their mission. We’re proud to partner with Rural Doctors Foundation to make this possible.”

 
“This is about sustaining our rural health workforce by putting meaningful, local supports in place.
When GPs and rural health workers feel supported, it improves retention, morale, and ultimately patient care.”
— Sandy Gillies, CEO, Western Queensland PHN

Community collaboration

To prepare for the program’s launch, Rural Doctors Foundation Medical Director Dr Margaret Kay and Relationship Manager, Olga Korobko visited Blackall and Barcaldine in June. Joined by Amber Scott and Casey McDermott from WQ PHN they met with local health professionals and service providers to shape the delivery of the program to best meet community needs.

“Rural doctors are deeply committed to their patients—often at the expense of their own wellbeing,” said Dr Kay. “GPs4RuralDocs is here to change that, offering a confidential service that helps them stay well, so they can continue doing what they do best.”

This new phase of GPs4RuralDocs marks an important step toward healthier practitioners and, in turn, healthier rural communities.

GPs4RuralDocs is based on a simple but powerful idea: when health professionals are well, entire communities benefit.

The program directly aligns with WQ PHN’s mission to enable better health outcomes across some of Queensland’s most remote areas.

What’s next?

The program is expected to launch in the coming months, giving rural health workers access to independent support services—so they are not just delivering healthcare, but receiving it too.

This is more than a program—it’s a long-term investment in the people who keep rural communities healthy.

Learn more about the GPs4RuralDocs program

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Talking about the benefits of GPs4RuralDocs

Nigel filmed some of the local GPs and nurses in Charleville talking about what the GPs4RuralDocs program means to them.

Watch the video

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Dr John Buckley explains why we need to look after our rural healthcare workers

Dr John Buckley was filmed by Nigel talking about the impact of being a healthcare worker in a rural community and why it is so important to look after those who are caring for our rural communities. 

Watch John sharing his passion for rural health

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Our CEO, Fran Avon talks about the GPs4RuralDocs program

Listen to our CEO talk about our GPs4RuralDocs program and how it works in our rural communities. 

Watch the video