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Recruitment of Emmaville GP reaches next phase
Recruitment of Emmaville GP reaches next phase
19 February 2008
As part of Hunter New England Health’s extensive efforts to recruit a local doctor to the Vegetable Creek/ Emmaville region, we have submitted an Area of Need application.
This will enable HNE Health to advertise internationally to recruit to an Area of Need (AON) position, which will provide general practitioner, as well as visiting medical officer (VMO) services to the local community.
Tablelands Cluster Manager, Wendy Mulligan, said the AON application would add to recruitment efforts undertaken to date.
"Recruiting to vacancies in communities such as Emmaville is extremely difficult – just as it is in any rural community across Australia. There are currently 250 GP vacancies in NSW alone. That is a lot of competition.
"The good news is that the Area of Need application will enable advertising for overseas trained doctors who are still working overseas. Our application has been completed and is currently awaiting final approval.
"This means that as a community, we will be able to advertise for a doctor who will have responsibility for conducting GP clinics in Glen Innes, Emmaville and possibly Deepwater, as well as providing Visiting Medical Officer services to the Vegetable Creek Multi Purpose Service in Emmaville," she said.
While waiting for the Area of Need approval, Ms Mulligan said the Health Service is continuing to advertise for a doctor on professional internet sites, and next week will be sending a personal email to every GP throughout Australia inviting them to apply.
"Advertising on professional internet sites has consistently proven to be the most effective form of advertising. There will be a one month closing date for applicants. Interviews will follow, applicant recommended and then applicant appointed," she said.
"We are all keen to see this position filled – for the sake of the community and the MPS. However, we must continue to be patient as these processes are quite complex and need to be completed thoroughly to ensure we get the right person for the job," she said.
Ms Mulligan said it is also important to remind the community, that even though the health service is taking the lead with advertising, recruitment of a GP working in the community, requires a community partnership approach.
"Hunter New England Health has had initial meetings with Council, the New England Division of General Practice and the Rural Doctors Network. We all need to work together to achieve success for the region," she said.
Contact: Kay Cope
Phone: 6776 9817
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