GP Hospital Training Pathway

Access to effective primary care is recognised globally as an important factor in improved health outcomes. In Western Australia (WA), the general practitioner (GP) primary care workforce has been the focus of strategic planning, in recognition of the impact on reducing preventable hospital presentations and admissions.

Approximately 150 vocational GP trainees are employed every year in WA hospitals (public and private). These doctors, who are completing their GP training requirements, have historically had minimal visibility or advocacy.

The GP Report 2018 (PDF 1MB) recommended the development of a GP workforce training pathway in WA to improve GP workforce sustainability. The GP Hospital Training Pathway Project was initiated in September 2018, with the pilot commencing in January 2020. The aim was to enhance GP training in WA hospitals by:

• increasing the profile of GP training amongst junior doctors and staff at WA hospitals
• optimising the hospital training time of current and future GP registrars to prepare them for entry to community GP training through:
  • more equitable access to GP-suitable clinical experiences.
  • access to GP-suitable rotations at each employing health service (EHS) that were identified as providing relevant and useful preparation for community GP placements.

Stakeholders, including the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), approved the transition of the GP Pathway from a pilot into business as usual from 1 January 2023. The GP Pathway is governed by the General Practice Hospital Training Pathway Committee, and has the support of the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

The General Practice Hospital Training Pathway Framework for 2023 (PDF 570KB) including the GP-suitable rotational matrix (Appendix A) is available.

Historically, only Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Registrars have been eligible to join the GP Pathway. For 2023, stakeholders agreed to include Rural Generalist Training Scheme (RGTS) registrars in the program. Please note, the 2023 GP Pathway Framework was published before the decision was made, so the document only makes reference to AGPT trainees. 

Expressions of interest for the 2024 GP Pathway will open on 17 July 2023 and close on 18 August 2023. The 2024 Framework will be made available on the website in late May 2023.

For further information about the GP Pathway, or any queries, contact MedicalWorkforceRoyalStreet@health.wa.gov.au.

The Office of the Chief Medical Officer (OCMO) Medical Workforce hosted a Q&A session in July 2022 (external site) that provides information about the GP Pathway for 2023, including how to apply through the expression of interest (EOI).