Seventy Central Coast GPs have received scholarships to complete a range of skin cancer qualifications including Certificate and Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer and Certificate and Advanced Certificate in Dermoscopy.
The Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network (PHN) funded program is a component of the Central Coast GP Workforce Retention Initiative, which aims to upskill and support GPs.
CEO, Richard Nankervis, said the program was just one of many initiatives being rolled out by the PHN to support general practice throughout the greater Hunter, New England and Central Coast regions.
“These scholarships sit within our workforce retention initiative, providing support to our GPs, to encourage their ongoing commitment to the region,” he said.
“GPs in non-rural areas are required to fund their own professional development, which can be difficult when they are in private practice and need to manage a patient load as well as ongoing education.
“The PHN provided funding for the GPs to attend the Sydney-based course including accommodation, meals, travel and study time.
“Such initiatives also ensure our GPs have the skills to provide the services our community needs here on the Coast.”
Nankervis said new research published last month by the Queensland Institute of Medical Research shows more than two-thirds of Australians will be treated for the most common skin cancers in their lifetime, with rates increasing by up to 6 per cent a year over the past three decades.
They found 69 per cent of Australians (73 per cent of men and 65 per cent of women) will have at least one excision for a skin cancer in their lifetime.
Nankervis said the NSW Cancer Institute had identified the Central Coast as a melanoma hotspot.
Local GP Dr Elly Warren recently completed the course and said she would encourage all local GPs to participate.
“It was wonderful to attend the Skin Cancer Certificate course with other Central Coast GPs,” Warren said.
“The whole experience was exactly what we needed after two years navigating the pandemic. We were able to enjoy learning in a supportive environment and reconnect.
“In addition to the valuable education and skills, the course worked wonders for our wellbeing and was a morale-booster for all of us.”
Source:
Media release, Apr 12
Primary Health Network