Supporting rural health workers
Rural communities rely on dedicated health workers who go above and beyond every day. Yet many of these professionals face significant barriers when it comes to accessing healthcare, professional support and essential resources for themselves.
Rural Doctors Foundation exists to support the wellbeing and sustainability of the rural health workforce. Through confidential healthcare services, clinical equipment programs, emergency relief initiatives and advocacy, we help ensure rural health workers have the support they need to thrive in the communities they serve.
A key part of this work is a confidential healthcare service designed specifically for rural and remote health practitioners. Because when the people providing care are healthy, supported and connected, entire communities benefit.
Rural Doctors Foundation strengthens rural healthcare by:
- Supporting the wellbeing of rural health practitioners through mobile GP clinics in their communities.
- Providing clinical equipment that improves healthcare delivery in rural communities.
- Supplying emergency response resources that help save lives when every minute counts.
- Investing in initiatives that improve workforce sustainability and community health outcomes.
Together, these programs help keep skilled health professionals living and working in rural Australia.
Our work
rural health workers need Care TOO.
The health of rural health workers is critical to the wellbeing of rural communities. Yet many health practitioners face significant challenges accessing independent and confidential healthcare, particularly when they live and work in small communities with limited healthcare options.
Long distances, workforce shortages and demanding workloads often mean health professionals put their own health and wellbeing last.
Through our mobile GP service, rural doctors, nurses and allied health professionals can access confidential healthcare from experienced GPs who understand rural practice, helping them prioritise their own wellbeing without leaving their community or consulting a colleague.
A confidential, independent GP service for
rural health workers
Like their patients, rural health workers face challenges in accessing healthcare. Being part of a small close-knit team of healthcare professionals, accessing independent and confidential healthcare isn’t easy.
Most rural healthcare practitioners are faced with the choice of being seen by a colleague, or worse yet, their supervisor. Otherwise, they are forced to travel long distances to receive the independent care they provide their own patients.
This often leads to burnout and illness, with much-needed healthcare workers leaving their rural practice for extended periods of time.
This GP service is specifically for rural doctors, nurses and allied health practitioners. We work to provide Australia’s rural health workforce with the same level of care they provide their own patients. The service is delivered by a team of doctors who understand rural practice and are trained in doctor-to-doctor care and mental health.
These GP consultations can address specific health concerns or act as a simple health checkup – just as they would for any patient in a GP clinic.
Our GP program results in healthy, resilient and accessible healthcare workers who are better equipped to care for their patients. In looking after the physical, mental health and overall wellbeing of our health workforce, it reduces incidence of stress and burnout, and means they stay living and working in their rural communities.
See the impact of the program
Our impact and some interesting statistics
Our impact and some interesting statistics
rural GPs and nurses seen by our Treating GPs
Dr Katie Chang cares for herself so she can care for her community
Dr Katie Chang and her husband Paul made the brave decision to move to Charleville and set up a medical practice. Read her perspective on challenges for rural doctors.
Dr Sue Masel advocates for our GP clinics
Dr Sue Masel travelled over 700km to receive her healthcare and welcomes the GP clinics in Goondiwindi.
