How do you attract doctors, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, nurses and other medical staff to come to Cobar?
It’s easy, you just put them all on a bus and drive them out here!
That’s the thinking of the Rural Doctors Network which runs a Go Rural program (funded by the Australian Department of Health, Disability and Aging), which runs tours to rural and remote areas three times a year.
The Go Rural program intends to provide students who are interested in working rurally, and who may have had limited exposure, the opportunity to see a variety of towns and facilities.
Mayor Jarrod Marsden is keen to welcome the students to Cobar.
“Many people say how wonderful Cobar is to live and work in once they’re here.
“It’s that initial getting them out here that we struggle with.
“So exposure like this for them to come and see what rural medicine is like, this is what Cobar’s like and, if one or two of those people end up deciding that they want to come and be in Cobar full time, that’s a wonderful outcome,” the Mayor said.
He hopes the students will get a “good feel for the place” when they visit on Friday.
“About 18 months ago, at a conference that I went to in Dubbo, this was spoken about and I was very vocal at that meeting about getting them out to Cobar.
“We want them, we’d love to have them.
“I guess it’s an example of the slow wheels of government, and local government especially, that these things don’t happen overnight, but if you keep advocating for them, they do happen,” he said.
Rural Doctors Network Future Workforce Program Lead, Sam Zelinski, who will be visiting with the group of 20 students this week, said some of them have never visited a rural or remote town before so it will be a completely new experience for them.
“Our goal is to encourage students to consider a career in rural healthcare and, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Harmony CSA Mine, we’re looking forward to showcasing what Cobar has to offer.
“Go Rural aims to highlight the benefits of living and working rurally and we’re excited to give the students an opportunity to see, first-hand, what an amazing, welcoming community Cobar is and what wonderful career opportunities exist here,” Sam said.
“Go Rural is a federally funded program and the students gain so much from the trip.
“Just last year we had a fantastic Go Rural outcome with a midwifery student who travelled to Dubbo as part of her Go Rural trip, now a new grad at Dubbo hospital, and that’s just one example of how positive this program can be for both the student and the whole community.
This year the Go Rural students will visit the Cobar Health Service (hospital), the Great Cobar Museum, join in Park Run and meet with locals and hear from guest speakers at a special welcome dinner on Friday night.
“Rural Doctors Network is grateful to have Harmony CSA Mine sponsoring the Go Rural trip to Cobar and we are excited to arrive and meet the locals,” Sam said.
Harmony CSA Mine’s People and Culture Manager Joanne Power said Harmony recognised the importance of the students’ visit this week.
“Harmony CSA Mine recognises the ongoing challenge of attracting and retaining medical professionals in regional communities,” Joanne said.
“Workforce shortages continue to affect access to healthcare services across Cobar.
“We are proud to support the Go Rural initiative, delivered by the Rural Doctors Network, which highlights both the professional opportunities and unique lifestyle our region offers.
“By welcoming future clinicians to experience our community firsthand, we hope to encourage greater interest in rural practice.
“Harmony CSA Mine remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen essential services and contribute to the long-term wellbeing of the Cobar community,” she said.
After receiving a very warm welcome to Cobar when a Go Rural tour last visited in 2019, Sam is confident Cobar residents will also embrace this new crop of students.
“I have no doubt Cobar will make a positive, lasting impression on these students’ minds and it is my hope that one day they will consider returning to work here and enjoy a very rewarding career,” Sam said.
