Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The Northern Territory Primary Health Network incorporating Rural Workforce Agency
Northern Territory, they've launched the Health Workforce Needs Assessment twenty
twenty five GP Workforce Now. It's a report which outlines
the critical challenges and opportunities facing primary healthcare workforce development
here in the Northern Territory. The report provides an in
(00:23):
depth analysis of the GP workforce across the NT, highlighting
high vacancy rates, recruitment and retention challenges, and the need
for place based, culturally safe workforce solutions. Now joining us
on the line is NT Primary Health Network CEO Paul Connolly.
(00:45):
Good morning to you.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Paul.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Good morning Katie. How are you?
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Yeah, really good, Thanks so much for your time this morning. Now,
Paul tell us what was the aim of the report?
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Yeah, okaty. So this is part of our ongoing commitment
to support appropriate access to primary healthcare across the Northern
Territory and to do that we really need to delve
in and understand what the various needs are and any
emerging opportunities, risks and challenges. So it's a regular activity
for us, and this year we decided to focus on
(01:20):
and quantify as best we could some of the issues
with the GP workforce specifically.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
So talk us through what some of those issues are
with our GP workforce, because I guess for a lot
of people listening, they might think, oh, I find it
really difficult to get in to see a GP. But
what are some of the issues from your side of things?
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Yeah, yeah, thanks, Katie. So I think you know, it's
important first and foremost to acknowledge that you know, this
is you know, a global and international issue. You know,
we have to help the World Health organizations modeling telling
us that you know, there's a prediction for a deficit
of eleven million health professionals globally by twenty thirty. Horse
(02:00):
that global and international space has a direct impact on
Australia and of course for us here in the Northern Territory.
And I think a lot of these challenges, you know,
a lot of them have existed for a long time,
particularly in our context. But what we've seen was the
pandemic and I guess you know that really stretched our
systems and highlighted the fragility in certain areas, and you know,
(02:25):
it pushed our system to the limit. And we're still
in the process now of recovering from that, and I
think that's something that's been felt across the world. Still
for us, the issues are in relation to competing now
in well a big issue competing in that really competitive
international and national market to attract GPS and retain them
(02:45):
in the Northern Territory when there are so many options.
So that's a really really key element of what we've
discovered and what we're trying to work to address.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Well, what can we do to attract and retain more
GP to the workforce here in the Northern Territory. I mean,
I know at different times we've even spoken about whether
there could be you know, some kind of taxation bonus
or something when you've got people moving to the end
and working in some of these roles. But from you know,
(03:16):
from the work that you guys have done, what could
we be doing in this space?
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Yeah, and what you've mentioned there, Katie is actually very relevant.
So I think some of this does relate to acknowledging
the level of need here in the Northern Territory and
making sure that there are appropriate incentives and supported pathways
for people to relocate and establish a career here. And
you know, we do you know, whether that be tax
(03:42):
incentives or you know, additional investment in incentivizing people to come.
What we find is when when GPS and other health
professionals do come here, there's a really rewarding and enriching
experience and career prospect for them. It's just to compete
in initial stage to get people to consider the Northern
(04:02):
territory is really really important. So those additional incentives and.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
That hook is really really important when you talk about
primary health Why is it so important that we do
actually make sure that our primary you know, like that
primary health care is operating efficiently and we've got the
GPS that we need.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
I mean, if people are regularly seeing seeing a GP
and they feel comfortable doing that, and it is affordable
and you're seeing the same person, surely it means then
that we're managing some of those chronic illnesses as well
in a much more productive way. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
Absolutely, I mean GP and primary health care, it's about
community based care and keeping people well and keeping them
out of hospitals. So you know, and I did hear
a little bit of your previous comments and relation to
the hospital and this health workforce issue is universal, you know,
and it's important that our hospitals are adequately staffed too.
(05:00):
Our perspective and from primary health care, it's about keeping
people out of there and keeping that system free to
respond to those acute and critical needs. Whereas, if you
know all of the modeling, all of the evidence, you
know proves without any shadow of a doubt that have
an access to a GP and regular access to a
GP keeps people well, keeps them on top of any
(05:22):
chronic conditions or any other health needs that they have,
and keeps them away from the hospitals.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
So is there anything that we could be trying to
do you know right now? I know it's a big
ask sometimes trying to get the Northern Territory or the
federal government to sort of, you know, to lock into
doing something to really try and boost the workforce and
to retain it. But is there anything we could sort
of be doing right now or certainly advocating for.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
Yeah. Absolutely, So there's a number of things underway, and
I think in launching our Needs Assessment, the message for
us is clear, it's a call to action, but I
do want to acknowledge that there are several actions and
things already underway. So it's about, you know, we can't
lose sight of what the critical issues are, but we
do have to acknowledge that we are we feel we're
(06:08):
moving in the right direction. So we have a group
here that comprises membership of ourselves, the Northern Territory, Department
of Health and Commonwealth Health as well as the Aboriginal
Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory and it's a workforce expert
advisory group, and we're in the process of finalizing an
updated plan to address some of these critical issues with
(06:31):
collective and collaborative support from all agencies, because one agency
on their own is not going to be able to
fix this or turn it around. It's going to require
that collective effort. And I think two really important focus areas.
So we do need to look at how we attract
and retain better and there's several actions that relate to
that for GPS and our broader primary health care workforce.
(06:52):
But the other really really important part of it is
investment in growing our own as much as we can.
You know, we need to have support and comprehensive career
pathways and training pathways available here.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Why do you reckon we? I mean, are we saying
lis young people wanting to go down this path and
if we are saying list, why do you reckon that is?
Speaker 3 (07:15):
So I think that, yeah, there's many it's multifaceted. I
think so we have the you know again, I think
there's there's direct implications or impacts from the times of
COVID and and what the health workforce experienced there that
have had an impact on the numbers of people choosing
careers in that space. However, you know, there's several you know, many,
(07:37):
many people still elect a career pathway in health. But
in our context, there's a there's an additional challenge in
that we want those who study health, and particularly those
who study medicine to consider primary healthcare in general practice.
And in a world where we have, you know, quite
a lot of focus on specialist medicine, you know that
(08:00):
the ability and the attractiveness of general practice is something
that needs to be elevated. So I can say that,
and I think it's referenced in our report of those
who have elected to become GPS and commence the GP
Registrar training, the Northern Territory was the lowest choice or
preference for those in electing a location to undertake the placements.
(08:21):
So you know, there's there's clear evidence there on the
fact that we need to further promote and incentivize those
people to come here, and some of that work is
under way Katie as well. You know, we've seen some
really positive results through the GP colleges offering additional incentives
to just to get people here and experience it, and
that's opening up you know, longer term options and opportunities
(08:42):
for them.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
Well, and you would think as well, once they get here,
like you know that they would say that there's all
sorts you know, like they're going to experience all sorts
of stuff that they might not experience living in suburbia,
in a capital city somewhere else.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
Yeah, yeah, exactly right. And they do, they do. I mean,
it's not going to be for everyone all the time,
but nobody leaves the Northern Territory not feeling enriched for
the experience, and several of them will stay stay long term.
And I guess that's the goal that we're trying to
achieve here, you know. And I think an important comment
here is in relation to and it's an opportunity for
(09:18):
the Northern Territory, it's in relation to the variety of
the variety that people can experience in their job. So
if we implement or continue to implement some of these
innovative workforce models where you know, somebody could be based
in Darwin or Alice but still provide services regularly to
remote communities, that's a really rich experience and rewarding career
(09:41):
for people. We just need to get people into experience it.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
Yes, but on well, Paul, I'd be really interested to
talk to you as well once you have that, you know,
once you sort of put together that further strategic document
and to find out a little bit more. So I
really appreciate your time this morning, no.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Problem at all. And Katie, if I could say one
more thing, I want to acknowledge the existing workforce. So
you know, we've got challenges and there's a lot of
work to do, but we do have a really really strong,
talented workforce that are working hard every day to maintain
that access and I just want to acknowledge them if
I can. And we have an awards ceremony, the Health
(10:21):
Professional of the Year Awards coming up in a couple
of months, and if your listeners would like to vote
for a practitioner that is supporting them or doing great work,
please visit our website NTPHN dot org dot au and
put a nomination through.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
Good Stuff for Paul Connolly. Great to speak to you
this morning. I really appreciate your time.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Thank you, Katie, thank you,
The Northern Territory Primary Health Network incorporating Rural Workforce Agency
Northern Territory, they've launched the Health Workforce Needs Assessment twenty
twenty five GP Workforce Now. It's a report which outlines
the critical challenges and opportunities facing primary healthcare workforce development
here in the Northern Territory. The report provides an in
(00:23):
depth analysis of the GP workforce across the NT, highlighting
high vacancy rates, recruitment and retention challenges, and the need
for place based, culturally safe workforce solutions. Now joining us
on the line is NT Primary Health Network CEO Paul Connolly.
(00:45):
Good morning to you.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Paul.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Good morning Katie. How are you?
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Yeah, really good, Thanks so much for your time this morning. Now,
Paul tell us what was the aim of the report?
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Yeah, okaty. So this is part of our ongoing commitment
to support appropriate access to primary healthcare across the Northern
Territory and to do that we really need to delve
in and understand what the various needs are and any
emerging opportunities, risks and challenges. So it's a regular activity
for us, and this year we decided to focus on
(01:20):
and quantify as best we could some of the issues
with the GP workforce specifically.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
So talk us through what some of those issues are
with our GP workforce, because I guess for a lot
of people listening, they might think, oh, I find it
really difficult to get in to see a GP. But
what are some of the issues from your side of things?
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Yeah, yeah, thanks, Katie. So I think you know, it's
important first and foremost to acknowledge that you know, this
is you know, a global and international issue. You know,
we have to help the World Health organizations modeling telling
us that you know, there's a prediction for a deficit
of eleven million health professionals globally by twenty thirty. Horse
(02:00):
that global and international space has a direct impact on
Australia and of course for us here in the Northern Territory.
And I think a lot of these challenges, you know,
a lot of them have existed for a long time,
particularly in our context. But what we've seen was the
pandemic and I guess you know that really stretched our
systems and highlighted the fragility in certain areas, and you know,
(02:25):
it pushed our system to the limit. And we're still
in the process now of recovering from that, and I
think that's something that's been felt across the world. Still
for us, the issues are in relation to competing now
in well a big issue competing in that really competitive
international and national market to attract GPS and retain them
(02:45):
in the Northern Territory when there are so many options.
So that's a really really key element of what we've
discovered and what we're trying to work to address.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Well, what can we do to attract and retain more
GP to the workforce here in the Northern Territory. I mean,
I know at different times we've even spoken about whether
there could be you know, some kind of taxation bonus
or something when you've got people moving to the end
and working in some of these roles. But from you know,
(03:16):
from the work that you guys have done, what could
we be doing in this space?
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Yeah, and what you've mentioned there, Katie is actually very relevant.
So I think some of this does relate to acknowledging
the level of need here in the Northern Territory and
making sure that there are appropriate incentives and supported pathways
for people to relocate and establish a career here. And
you know, we do you know, whether that be tax
(03:42):
incentives or you know, additional investment in incentivizing people to come.
What we find is when when GPS and other health
professionals do come here, there's a really rewarding and enriching
experience and career prospect for them. It's just to compete
in initial stage to get people to consider the Northern
(04:02):
territory is really really important. So those additional incentives and.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
That hook is really really important when you talk about
primary health Why is it so important that we do
actually make sure that our primary you know, like that
primary health care is operating efficiently and we've got the
GPS that we need.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
I mean, if people are regularly seeing seeing a GP
and they feel comfortable doing that, and it is affordable
and you're seeing the same person, surely it means then
that we're managing some of those chronic illnesses as well
in a much more productive way. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
Absolutely, I mean GP and primary health care, it's about
community based care and keeping people well and keeping them
out of hospitals. So you know, and I did hear
a little bit of your previous comments and relation to
the hospital and this health workforce issue is universal, you know,
and it's important that our hospitals are adequately staffed too.
(05:00):
Our perspective and from primary health care, it's about keeping
people out of there and keeping that system free to
respond to those acute and critical needs. Whereas, if you
know all of the modeling, all of the evidence, you
know proves without any shadow of a doubt that have
an access to a GP and regular access to a
GP keeps people well, keeps them on top of any
(05:22):
chronic conditions or any other health needs that they have,
and keeps them away from the hospitals.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
So is there anything that we could be trying to
do you know right now? I know it's a big
ask sometimes trying to get the Northern Territory or the
federal government to sort of, you know, to lock into
doing something to really try and boost the workforce and
to retain it. But is there anything we could sort
of be doing right now or certainly advocating for.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
Yeah. Absolutely, So there's a number of things underway, and
I think in launching our Needs Assessment, the message for
us is clear, it's a call to action, but I
do want to acknowledge that there are several actions and
things already underway. So it's about, you know, we can't
lose sight of what the critical issues are, but we
do have to acknowledge that we are we feel we're
(06:08):
moving in the right direction. So we have a group
here that comprises membership of ourselves, the Northern Territory, Department
of Health and Commonwealth Health as well as the Aboriginal
Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory and it's a workforce expert
advisory group, and we're in the process of finalizing an
updated plan to address some of these critical issues with
(06:31):
collective and collaborative support from all agencies, because one agency
on their own is not going to be able to
fix this or turn it around. It's going to require
that collective effort. And I think two really important focus areas.
So we do need to look at how we attract
and retain better and there's several actions that relate to
that for GPS and our broader primary health care workforce.
(06:52):
But the other really really important part of it is
investment in growing our own as much as we can.
You know, we need to have support and comprehensive career
pathways and training pathways available here.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Why do you reckon we? I mean, are we saying
lis young people wanting to go down this path and
if we are saying list, why do you reckon that is?
Speaker 3 (07:15):
So I think that, yeah, there's many it's multifaceted. I
think so we have the you know again, I think
there's there's direct implications or impacts from the times of
COVID and and what the health workforce experienced there that
have had an impact on the numbers of people choosing
careers in that space. However, you know, there's several you know, many,
(07:37):
many people still elect a career pathway in health. But
in our context, there's a there's an additional challenge in
that we want those who study health, and particularly those
who study medicine to consider primary healthcare in general practice.
And in a world where we have, you know, quite
a lot of focus on specialist medicine, you know that
(08:00):
the ability and the attractiveness of general practice is something
that needs to be elevated. So I can say that,
and I think it's referenced in our report of those
who have elected to become GPS and commence the GP
Registrar training, the Northern Territory was the lowest choice or
preference for those in electing a location to undertake the placements.
(08:21):
So you know, there's there's clear evidence there on the
fact that we need to further promote and incentivize those
people to come here, and some of that work is
under way Katie as well. You know, we've seen some
really positive results through the GP colleges offering additional incentives
to just to get people here and experience it, and
that's opening up you know, longer term options and opportunities
(08:42):
for them.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
Well, and you would think as well, once they get here,
like you know that they would say that there's all
sorts you know, like they're going to experience all sorts
of stuff that they might not experience living in suburbia,
in a capital city somewhere else.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
Yeah, yeah, exactly right. And they do, they do. I mean,
it's not going to be for everyone all the time,
but nobody leaves the Northern Territory not feeling enriched for
the experience, and several of them will stay stay long term.
And I guess that's the goal that we're trying to
achieve here, you know. And I think an important comment
here is in relation to and it's an opportunity for
(09:18):
the Northern Territory, it's in relation to the variety of
the variety that people can experience in their job. So
if we implement or continue to implement some of these
innovative workforce models where you know, somebody could be based
in Darwin or Alice but still provide services regularly to
remote communities, that's a really rich experience and rewarding career
(09:41):
for people. We just need to get people into experience it.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
Yes, but on well, Paul, I'd be really interested to
talk to you as well once you have that, you know,
once you sort of put together that further strategic document
and to find out a little bit more. So I
really appreciate your time this morning, no.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Problem at all. And Katie, if I could say one
more thing, I want to acknowledge the existing workforce. So
you know, we've got challenges and there's a lot of
work to do, but we do have a really really strong,
talented workforce that are working hard every day to maintain
that access and I just want to acknowledge them if
I can. And we have an awards ceremony, the Health
(10:21):
Professional of the Year Awards coming up in a couple
of months, and if your listeners would like to vote
for a practitioner that is supporting them or doing great work,
please visit our website NTPHN dot org dot au and
put a nomination through.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
Good Stuff for Paul Connolly. Great to speak to you
this morning. I really appreciate your time.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Thank you, Katie, thank you,
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com