Public health providers across East Gippsland are joining forces to tackle chronic rural doctor shortages, partnering with regional medical recruitment initiative Connecting The Docs to attract and retain general practitioners and specialists.
Expanded into East Gippsland over the past year, the collaborative network brings together Bairnsdale Regional Health Service, Gippsland Lakes Complete Health, Orbost Regional Health and Omeo District Health. The health services operate under a shared model that prioritises inter-agency collaboration over regional competition to build a sustainable medical workforce.
The partnership will host a series of recruitment and strategy events in Lakes Entrance on Thursday, September 10, bringing together established local clinicians with doctors considering a move to the region.
A centrepiece of the program is the “Doctors on Deck” networking session, allowing prospective candidates to meet local specialists, general practitioners and health executives against the backdrop of the Gippsland Lakes.
The event runs alongside an executive workshop focused on developing a unified approach to workforce retention across rural health settings.
Bairnsdale Regional Health Service chief executive officer Peter Abraham said solving the rural health workforce deficit requires regional health providers to innovate collectively.
“There is no one-fit answer to solving the rural medical workforce challenge and this requires our collective health care services to think outside of the box,” Mr Abraham said.
“By working together across our East Gippsland health services, we are committed to build attractive career pathways for doctors which includes future career development and the best possible immersion and integration into our rural communities.”
Orbost Regional Health chief executive officer Vicki Farthing emphasised that long-term community integration is just as vital as initial recruitment.
“Connecting The Docs is one way we can help doctors and their families feel welcomed, connected and part of our community,” Ms Farthing said.
Gippsland Lakes Complete Health chief executive officer Anne-Maree Kaser added that showcasing the local environment firsthand is critical to convincing practitioners to make the shift to country practice.
“The natural wonders of East Gippsland speak for themselves,” Ms Kaser said.
“If we can give health professionals a taste of the lifestyle, career opportunities and community we enjoy every day, we’re confident many will choose to build their careers and lives here.”
Connecting The Docs founding member Dr Annemarie Newth said the Lakes Entrance event gives doctors a direct view of the professional and personal rewards of working in Gippsland.
Originally established in 2023 by seven northern Victorian health organisations, Connecting The Docs works alongside specialist training colleges, health services, and government bodies to design long-term placement pathways for regional medical practitioners.
