Local GP training provider Northern Territory General Practice Education (NTGPE) has confirmed that 14 NT-based registrars completed their Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP) from 2018-2021 – the highest rate of all States and Territories in Australia.
NTGPE, the sole provider of the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program in the NT, also has 10 registrars currently undertaking their FARGP.
NTGPE Chief Executive Officer Stephen Pincus said the FARGP is a qualification awarded by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) beyond the vocational Fellowship (FRACGP), and caters for both general practice registrars and practicing GPs.
“The aim of the FARGP is to recognise additional training undertaken to develop advanced general practice skills and broaden options for safe, accessible and comprehensive care for Australia’s rural, remote and very remote communities,” said Mr Pincus.
“This is a fantastic achievement by everyone involved and shows that the NT is a national leader in rural health.
“We are particularly proud that more than 50 per cent of the registrars focused on Aboriginal health as their chosen discipline.
“Our GP registrars make up vital workforce numbers, and our commitment to rural and remote health means we are making significant contributions to meeting community needs and improving health outcomes in these regions.”
Mr Pincus said the delivery of high-quality education and high-level support to GP registrars in the NT has been built on a foundation of experience, relationships, and local knowledge of healthcare needs, especially in rural and remote Australia.
“NTGPE is a significant contributor to rural and remote health care in the NT, including Aboriginal health,” he said.
“Our unique approach to the challenges of primary health care in Indigenous communities means NTGPE is at the forefront of supplying GP registrars to improve access to specialist medical care for some of the most vulnerable people in Australia.”
Mr Pincus said NTGPE and the GP registrars who train within the AGPT Program are the leaders in rural and remote health care, both in the NT and nationally.
“We train well-rounded, highly-skilled GPs who are passionate about primary health care in Australia, and our latest FARGP graduates are no different.
“NTGPE also sets an expectation that our GP registrars will apply their cultural expertise throughout their career and contribute to closing the gap in Indigenous disadvantage nationally.
“We are training future GPs who will find a solution to Australia’s biggest health issue.”
To find out more about NTGPE, visit https://ntgpe.org