In 2014 Northern Territory General Practice Education (NTGPE) welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to increase the number of GP Registrars training nationally from 1200 to 1500, particularly following the closure of the Prevocational General Practice Placement Program (PGPPP). This increase of GP Registrars ensured that the supply of doctors to remote Aboriginal communities would be maintained after the loss of PGPPP and also provides General Practice with an increased supply of doctors across the NT.
As a result of the increase, we need to ensure all GP Registrars in the NT are placed and not subject to exclusion based on the level of their training. For a fairer system amongst clinics and for the long term sustainability and growth of GP Training in the Northern Territory, clinics participating in GP Training will now be required to place a minimum of one GPT1 or PRRT1 (GP Registrar in their first six months of GP Terms) to assist.
It’s important to understand that the first term GP Registrar positions will not be available to GP Registrars at other levels of training. NTGPE will work closely with those clinics that have not previously offered first term placements to ensure that appropriate support and supervision models are understood.
To assist clinics, we can endeavour to place senior GP Registrars with a first term GP Registrar. We have found this to make a huge difference to the mentoring and support of first term GP Registrars. We have also developed systems to ensure adequate GP Supervisor support is provided. For example, we have trialled a Team Supervision Model where the whole clinic team is involved, which may include, accredited GP Supervisors, GPs not yet accredited as GP Supervisors, RAN, AHPs and clinic managers as well as other GP Registrars on the ground. This group of professionals are brought together to form a supervisory team that is led by the accredited GP Supervisor and where each team member helps in the training and support.
The RACGP has recently commended NTGPE on this work and agreed that NTGPE can roll the model out in all NT Clinics. Additionally, in a recent survey we received confirmation that the majority of GP Registrars feel that their clinic is suited to the Team Supervision Model and have indicated a preference for this arrangement.
We have continued to respond to recommendations from both clinics and GP Registrars to streamline the placements for 2016. Based on this, the placement application process will consist of two rounds: