News

Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, has advised EVGPT that our contract to deliver the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program would be extended through to the first semester, 2023.  This follows the pause in transition to College-led training in early October. The Department of Health is taking the opportunity to examine how GP Training supports key health strategies under development and whether there are opportunities to strengthen rural workforce distribution. Determinants from 2022 have not been made and will be made over the next two years. You can read Minister Hunt’s letter here.  We see this as a positive step with the true ramifications of transition being realised.  The government, colleges and department have each strongly reaffirmed that any changes to the AGPT must minimise any disruption for current or future GP registrars, supervisors, trainers and practices.  As can be seen by our record of achievements since 2016, EVGPT is best placed to provide and deliver GP training throughout Eastern Victoria. Our contribution to our region and the health of our communities has been documented in a range of briefing…

EVGPT coordinated the  ‘Rural Generalist GPA State Trainee Workshop’ held on 24 & 25 October 2020 remotely due to COVID restrictions. The Workshop was attended by all Victorian based GPA Trainees and was facilitated by Dr Greg Coates, Clinical Lead Anaesthetics for the Victoria Rural Generalist Program with the assistance of EV’s Dr Antony Wong. Although the Trainees were unable to receive the normal “Sim based’’ face to face activities otherwise planned for this Workshop in previous years, they did have the unique opportunity of listening to a fantastic line up of speakers from across Australia: Dr Helen Fraser, QLD Dr Peter Hebbard, Victoria Dr Tim Leeuwenburg, NT Dr Neil Provis-Vincent, Victoria Dr Casey Parker, WA Dr Geoff Menzies, NT Dr Antony Wong, Victoria Given the challenges and restrictions as a result of the impact of COVID19 this year and when face to face learning was not an option, EV is proud to have been able to continue to provide education and training for this year’s cohort of Victorian GPA Trainees. Given the limitations and acknowledgement that some education is…

Dr Antoinette Mowbray undertook her GP training in Gippsland and pursued special skills training in obstetrics. She currently works as a GP obstetrician in Bairnsdale and as a VMO GP obstetrician at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service.   Her contribution to the community is amazing, and in addition to her general practice work, she delivers over 100 babies per year. She is also involved in a variety of other community roles – monthly outreach women’s health clinic to Orbost, teaching medical students, intern and registrars which she enjoys, she is a member of various working group committees related mostly to obstetrics or neonatal guidelines, and currently a Victorian representative on ACRRM College Council.   She lives on a few acres less than 10 minutes from her place of work, with a picturesque north-facing view of rolling green hills, and loves spending time in the garden, orchard, and greenhouse, with my pet silkie chickens and rescue cat (separately of course); and playing music – mainly violin, among many other hobbies. Antoinette makes a valuable contribution to the health of Gippsland communities. We…

EV are saddened at the news of the passing of Dr Peter Lindstedt, an EV GP supervisor at Paynesville Medical Centre.  We are so grateful to Dr Lindstedt for his support of registrars in the practice, and for his tireless commitment to Paynesville and the East Gippsland medical community over many years. We send our deepest condolences to Peter’s wife Jenny and to his children Ken, Leon and Sophie, a current EV registrar.

We recently met with the new National Rural Health Commissioner, A/Prof Ruth Stewart and discussed approaching solutions to the issues of rural GP recruitment and retention, with particular focus on pre-vocational opportunities for junior doctors. The rural pipeline has complex ‘bottlenecks’ and we are excited to work with A/Prof Stewart and other relevant agencies in creating innovative solutions and structural reform

We have been monitoring the difficulties of the RACGP KFP examination undertaken today. We note the frustration for all concerned particularly the distress people are feeling in an environment magnified with COVID-19, family disruptions, exam preparation and the like. EVGPT is here to support our registrars through this difficult time including presentation to the RACGP on your behalf to ensure that no disadvantage is present and that individual circumstances are considered. We will work with RACGP to ensure our registrars are sensitively and justly considered in these circumstances. Should you have any issues please contact me via email mark.rowe@evgptraining.com.au If your concerns are of an immediate nature, please call my mobile on 0428 961 529 We will continue to converse with RACGP and inform you should any further decisions or actions which will be made that will affect you.   Dr. Mark Rowe                                  Professor Neil Spike Chief Executive Officer                    Director of Medical Education & Training

This week we met with the Jane Anderson and Alastair Edgar to discuss the Access to Services Action Plan which the Latrobe Health Advocate is overseeing. Some key issues touched on included distribution of workforce issues, supervision, research and importantly understanding community needs. We are excited to be working with Jane and the other organisations including Gippsland PHN, Latrobe City Council, Monash Rural Health involved in supporting this initiative #ruralgeneralpractice #communityhealth #GPpipeline

Eastern Victoria GP Training (EV) has partnered with Latrobe Regional Hospital and several rural general practices to provide rural primary care rotations for junior doctors in Gippsland since 2018. The Rural Junior Doctor Training Innovation Fund (RJDTIF) is a Commonwealth Department of Health initiative. EV is the only Regional Training Provider to participate in this National scheme. This is a valuable program for doctors wanting to experience general practice and develop their skills for a future rural medical career. The doctors are well supported to extend their learning and immerse themselves in their local community. Read the full media release here.

Congratulations Dr Terence Heng on winning the 2020 RACGP Victorian GP Supervisor of the Year! Terence is an EV Supervisor and has practices at Vermont and Nunawading. Terence is a dedicated educator and mentor to both current and past registrars who have worked at his practice. He is an innovative teacher and uses technology platforms to discuss interesting cases and learning points with learners. He is well respected within his community and much-loved GP to his patients. Through his work, Terence shows both the medical community and the public that General Practitioners are able to manage a wide breadth of presentations to a very high standard, improving the image of General Practice.