Head Medical have been relocating GPs to Australia for nearly 6 years and we have had many success stories along the way, as GPs experience a wide variety of exciting roles in unique locations throughout the country.
You may have noticed our previous posts highlighting the advantages of working in rural and remote communities plus our work with Rural Health Workforce.
Well, this week is NAIDOC week and we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight Indigenous people in Australia and the need for experienced GPs in their communities.
“NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920′s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians.
NAIDOC Week is held in the first full week of July. It is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society.”
See the NAIDOC website for a full schedule of the celebrations and events happening this week.
Specific health conditions
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) affects many Indigenous people, the most common types of CVD being coronary heart disease (including heart attack), stroke, heart failure, and high blood pressure.
In a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS) survey in 2004-2005, almost 1 in 8 Indigenous people reported having a long term heart condition. Heart related conditions being reported as 1.5 times more common than in non-Indigenous people.
Social factors such as tobacco, alcohol and diet, contribute to high incidences of diabetes and other related illnesses.
Social and emotional stress can also affect Indigenous people at a higher proportion to non-Indigenous people. Factors such as health, employment and access to health care are high contributory factors in this.
The good news
With the increase in Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) and a higher awareness of needs, Indigenous people are receiving more and more health checks and help. Facilities are becoming more available, run by groups including Indigenous people, to help focus the need and raise awareness of the both the need for care and support of these communities.
The benefits of working with Indigenous people
Great work satisfaction – improving the health of communities and helping them grow the next generation
A key role in the community - everyone will be keen to meet you
A secure role – medical services are a long term investment and receive various funding and support to help them continue
Financial rewards – clinics tend to be bulk billing to make them more accessible to communities, as this means that people will go see their GP more. Many groups offer salaried packages with incentives including study leave and superannuation
Head Medical have opportunities available to work with Indigenous communities across Australia, many of which are still within commutable distances of cities and large towns, so if you think you might be interested in a GP job with a difference please contact Eilidh Manson on +44 (0)131 240 5279 or via eilidh@headmedical.com for further information and an informal chat.
You can search all of the GP jobs we currently have available in Australia on our Jobs page.
For further information on this amazing location check out our lots of other articles on the blog or our Australia homepage.