Alice Springs

Congress Medical Centre

Jan-July 2005

Camping, outback, Aboriginal art, Four Wheel Driving, Sunday afternoon soccer

Paid accommodation for 2 weeks by practice, thereafter required to find own accommodation (with weekly monetary support from NTGPE). Received assistance in costs to be moved from Darwin to Alice Springs by NTGPE.

Clinic hours 8.30 to 5.00 M-F

Rostered overtime. Overtime either weekdays 5.00-8.00 in clinic then on call until 11.00, or Saturday 8.30-12.30 in clinic or Weekend (Sat 8.30-12.30 in clinic the on call to 11 pm, plus Sunday 8.30-12.30 in clinic the on call to 11 pm). On rotation system with other GPs, approximately 1 in 5 weekday overtime and 1 in 5 weekends (Either Sat only or both days).

Paid just over minimum terms and conditions, but this was substantially
Increased;
1. Generous salary sacrifice
2. Extra 15% for overtime
3. Given Rostered Day off (paid) for each overtime shift worked
4. Received entire Medicare rebate for patients seen outside clinic when on call
5. Subsidy for child

As 0.7 FTE received approximately $90,000 P/A

Excellent well structured teaching sessions with a GPT having set time put aside
t o teach. A lot of informal corridor teaching and very accessible GPT Access to GP CPD program received within Congress (fortnightly lunch time sessions).

Entirely Aboriginal patient base. GPR should have an interest in Aboriginal Health and primary health care.

Those interested in Aboriginal health and primary health care. Could be basic or advanced.

Peter Silberberg - November 2005