New rural psychiatry fellows build careers in country WA

WA Country Health Service’s Rural Psychiatry Training WA (RPTWA) program has seen four new psychiatrists gain fellowship in country WA – solidifying their careers in Bunbury and Albany.

First launched in 2023, the program has grown from 23 aspiring psychiatrists to almost 40 in just three years.

The program allows trainees to live, train and practice in country WA from internship to fellowship. During that time, they complete six-month rotations across various areas – enabling them to complete a full end-to-end training term.

Accredited by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), the program is the first dedicated rural training zone in Australia or New Zealand.

With a focus on strengthening rural experience, trainees work across acute inpatient and community-based settings, child and adolescent and consultation liaison services. The program also incorporates other rotations including adult psychiatry, older-age psychiatry, addiction, and community mental health services.

As part of their training, they worked alongside rural Consultant Psychiatrists who provided supervision throughout their rotations.

Executive Director Mental Health Paula Chatfield said that the program is an important strategy in enabling trainees and early career psychiatrists to learn and grow while supporting the mental health of country communities.

“Access to rural psychiatrists is important, and this program means we’re attracting, training, and retaining junior psychiatrists to support the communities they live and work in, as well as develop their careers.

“The experience is unique in so many ways and includes a strong focus on understanding the cultural needs of our Aboriginal people.

“With our focus on expanding and growing our own workforce in the bush, psychiatrists who graduate from the program are more likely to continue their careers in the regions,” she added.

One of the newly qualified Consultant Psychiatrists Dr Phoebe Thornton said coming back to Albany after completing her fellowship in the region was a full circle moment.

“I completed my junior doctor years in Albany and had a great experience with the psychiatry team. The exposure to knowledgeable and supportive seniors, broad patient mix, and the opportunity to live and work in the country was what drew me to apply for the RPTWA program.

“It’s been full circle coming back to where I trained as a junior doctor and it’s lovely to work with all the staff that supported and taught me throughout my training.

“Now it’s time to keep learning, provide quality care, and ensure future rural mental health staff receive the quality training I did so we can continue growing our workforce,” she added.