NTGPE’s Manager of Support Services Garry Lambert explains how arranging housing for doctors in the Northern Territory (NT) can be like dancing with the stars.
Right across the NT one of the challenges that face the development of General Practice training in rural and remote locations is the provision of accommodation for program participants. This clearly differentiates the NT from other parts of rural Australia where accommodation is often more readily available.
The acquisition, management and delivery of accommodation is a constant ‘dance’ for NTGPE staff. The dance analogy is not merely coincidental. In a dance, you best have a partner – so it is with accommodation in rural and remote NT.
In order to best deliver for our program participants NTGPE dances with the stars! With many ‘star’ partners we organise the provision of a range of accommodation in many remote locations. NTGPE currently have star partnerships with:
- Indigenous Land Councils
- Aboriginal Medical Services
- Indigenous Enterprises
- Flinders University
- Local Government Shire Councils across the NT
- Northern Territory Government
- Private sector investors; and
- Commonwealth Government
Dancing to Expand Accommodation on Groote Eylandt
One immediate project NTGPE is working on is to expand capacity for General Practice Registrars on Groote Eylandt, a remote but truly beautiful part of the NT. Today NTGPE is a part of the vibrant life on Groote; as they say Life is beaut on Groote!
For a number of years NTGPE have worked closely with the Anindilyakwa Land Council in the provision of accommodation for Registrars and PGPPP participants as well as providing work experience for Medical Students through ACCRM funded John Flynn Scholarship placements.
Recently we have approached GEMCo/BHP Billiton to partner with us in the provision of additional accommodation in Alyangula. We are actively seeking to expand accommodation capacity at Groote Eylandt and to increase General Practice training opportunities on one of the most amazingly beautiful ‘Eylandt’ locations in Australia.
Will you come dancing with us?
