In rural and regional communities, GPs are often the first point of contact for patients experiencing urgent health issues. They play a critical role in assessing, treating and stabilising patients, helping people receive timely care in their own communities and reducing the need for travel to larger centres.
That's why Bendigo Health continues to invest in emergency medicine training for doctors across the region.
Now in its ninth year, the program brings together GPs from rural and regional communities to build advanced skills in managing emergency presentations, including resuscitation, paediatric emergencies, wound management and point-of-care ultrasound.
The training is designed to help local clinicians feel confident managing a wide range of urgent situations, ensuring patients can access high-quality care closer to where they live.
Bendigo Health Clinical Head of Emergency Medicine Dr Simon Smith said supporting local clinicians was an important part of strengthening healthcare across the region.
"GPs are at the heart of healthcare in rural and regional communities," Dr Smith said.
"By helping doctors develop additional emergency medicine skills, we're supporting better access to care locally and helping ensure patients receive the right care in the right place."
For Dr Clare Bottcher from Echuca and Moama Family Medical Practice, the value of the program lies in its practical focus.
"Programs like this help rural GPs build skills that can be applied immediately in practice.
"That means patients can have greater confidence that quality care is available in their own community when they need it,” said Clare.
Nurse Practitioner Simone O'Brien said ongoing education was essential to maintaining strong regional health services.
"Investing in local clinicians helps ensure communities continue to have access to skilled healthcare professionals close to home,” said Simone.
The emergency medicine program is one of several ways Bendigo Health is improving access to care across the region and helping reduce pressure on hospital services. By investing in local clinicians, more people can access quality healthcare closer to home.