LOCAL sponsorship of trainee GPs could give Wanganui a "competitive edge" in attracting young doctors to work here, according to Whanganui Regional Primary Health Organisation chief executive Judith MacDonald.
Last week the WRPHO presented trainee GP Antonia Hughes with a "one-off" cheque to help her meet the cost of a year-long post-graduate training programme.
In return Ms Hughes has been bonded to work as a rural GP in the region for two years from 2008.
"We saw this as an opportunity to be sponsoring her to retain her skills in the rural community? we are really wanting to look after her and also encourage others," she said.
During the past two years the region had suffered workforce shortages with causes ranging from the difficulty of getting locums to GPs leaving rural areas.
Although the Wanganui region had produced its share of doctors, few returned there to work after they qualified.
"The job opportunities for New Zealand-trained GPs are numerous, both here and overseas. To have a New Zealand-trained doctor retained in our rural community is a real coup."
Once her training was completed, Ms Hughes would either work for a specific practice or make an agreement to work with a number of practices, Ms MacDonald said.
Originally from Auckland, Ms Hughes recently moved to Taihape with her partner, who was a sheep and beef farmer.
In 2006 she had worked at a Taihape practice for five months on a Royal NZ College of General Practitioners scheme that gives junior doctors experience working in a rural practice.
"That was a huge part of convincing me that I wanted to do general practice ? that rural general practice would be a satisfying and challenging career," she said.
When she approached the WRPHO for help with funding for her GP training, she was pleased by the "forward-thinking" approach that led them to give her the funding.
"Basically, I feel that it's fantastic that the PHO have recognised me and want to work with GPS and that they are keen to support young doctors with a rural interest," she said.
General practice had always interested her, because she liked the idea of working with people to achieve better lifestyles and health, although rural general practice came with obvious challenges, such as isolation and trying to convince "hardy" farmers and their families they might need to slow down.
Although she loved the rural lifestyle, the former Aucklander had contended with a fair share of ribbing about her origins.
"You would not believe how much flak I get for it ? but life's for living and you've got to make the most of every opportunity," Ms Hughes said.
Sponsoring trainee doctors could relieve GP shortage
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