50 DOCTORS, who have started training with GP Synergy this year to become specialist GPs in the North Coast region, got together in Coffs Harbour late last week.

The fully qualified doctors will undertake another three to four years of training in local GP practices across the region and participate in targeted training with GP Synergy.

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One of the GP trainees, Dr Lucas Booth, who is based in Coffs Harbour, is enjoying his first term of community-based training at accredited GP training practice Coffs Medical Centre.

“I’m from the local area, I grew up in the Macleay and Nambucca Valley and finished high school at Macksville.

“I identify as an Aboriginal man and my family are from the Dhungutti/Thunghutti nation, so I’m able to undertake my GP training close to home.

“I worked as a nurse before I became a doctor, but I have always known that I wanted to be a GP.

“I chose general practice because GPs are the backbone of healthcare, I’ve also completed advanced skills in emergency management to better support rural communities.

“General practice allows me to get to know patients over time, I like the relationships that you build with people, I like to be their health care advocate and I like to see people get better.

“So far I’m loving the training, I work in a great practice with supportive GP supervisors, nurses and admin staff,” Dr Booth said.

GP Synergy CEO Cameron Wilson said to support the trainees in meeting local community health needs, GP Synergy offers regionalised training delivered by local medical education teams.

“It’s also important for local communities to welcome and support new doctors as they settle into regional towns, as we’d all be pleased to see the doctors stay here in the longer term.

“Across the North Coast region there are almost 190 GP registrars in various stages of training,” Mr Wilson said.