Enhanced Support Programs for Rural Generalist (RG) Trainees and newly fellowed RGs

Rural Generalists (RGs) are essential to delivering high-quality, comprehensive care in rural and remote NSW. However, maintaining procedural skills while completing GP fellowship requirements can be challenging for RG Trainees. Similarly, newly fellowed RGs often face a difficult and inconsistent transition to independent practice, particularly when working in smaller or more isolated hospitals.

Consultation with stakeholders shows that RG Trainees have few opportunities to maintain their procedural skills while completing their fellowship training and newly fellowed RGs commencing in smaller rural facilities may require additional support during this adjustment.

To address these challenges, NSW Health has developed a new pilot program designed to provide structured support for RG Trainees and recently fellowed RGs. The first phase of the pilot will focus on doctors who have completed Advanced Skills Training (AST) in Obstetrics or Anaesthetics.

The pilot program will run for three years, commencing in the 2026 clinical year. Local Health Districts (LHDs) will be invited to apply through an annual Expression of Interest (EOI) process each October, with the exception of applications for the 2026 clinical year, which will open in December 2025.

The Ministry of Health's Medical Workforce team will conduct a full evaluation of the three-year pilot. Participating LHDs—including RG Trainees, newly fellowed RGs, and supervisors—will be expected to contribute to the evaluation by sharing their experiences and outcomes through surveys and semi-structured interviews.

The pilot program will support 2 groups of doctors as outlined below:

Group A – RG Trainees – skills maintenance program

Eligibility criteria:

Currently in a GP training program who have completed Advanced Skills Training placement (AST) in either Anaesthetics or Obstetrics.
Working in general practice to complete their fellowship requirements.
Engaged in a NSW public health facility, preferably MMM 4-7 but MMM2-3 will be considered on case-by-case basis.

Group B – Transition to Independent Practice Program – for newly fellowed RG Obstetricians (RGOs) or RG Anaesthetists (RGAs)

Eligibility criteria:

RGs that have recently fellowed and have completed their Advanced Skill Training in either Obstetrics or Anaesthetics.

RGs in this group may have utilised the skills maintenance program as a trainee, this does not prevent them from applying for funding for transition to independent practice.

GPs that have recently completed their procedural skills training in either Obstetrics or Anaesthetics.
Must be engaged in a NSW public health facility in MMM4-7 location
The RG should not be solely appointed within an LHD, it is preferred that RGs contribute to community General Practice and to NSW Health services.

Funding structure for Group A and Group B

Funding will be provided to the participating LHD to support the delivery of programs and to fund supervisors for RG trainees and the mentors for newly fellowed GPs.
The recommended activities are outlined in the respective factsheets for both Group A and Group B doctors.

How to apply

Group A – Skills Maintenance Program