Critical GP Placement Prevents Closure of Pittsworth Clinic

​The Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) is a vocational training program for medical practitioners in communities throughout remote and rural Australia and it is fully funded by the Australian Government.

RVTS deliver distance training and remote supervision, enabling medical practitioners to continue providing care to their communities while training. The training supports doctors through to Fellowship over a four-year period.

Health Workforce Queensland (HWQ) works closely with RVTS to identify and nominate specific locations where priority vacancies exist and where there is a critical need for medical practitioners.

One such location was Pittsworth Medical Centre which had been searching for an additional doctor for several years. The situation became critical in February 2025 when their most experienced doctor departed, leaving the practice and the community with just one remaining doctor. The practice would be forced to close if another doctor could not be secured by July 2025.

Through close collaboration between RVTS and HWQ Pittworth Medical Centre was approved as a targeted location and through extensive recruitment efforts, HWQ successfully recruited Dr Raima as a full-time general practitioner.

Supported by an HWQ relocation incentive package, Dr Raima moved from Brisbane to Pittsworth in April and commenced her role in Pittsworth as part of the July intake of the RVTS program.

When Carol Smidt, Practice Manager at Pittsworth Medical Centre, learned that a GP had been secured for the practice, the entire team was overwhelmed with relief and gratitude.

“This has given the community not just a doctor, but a female doctor that has been long overdue,” Carol said. “It has also returned the medical centre to the community, which was in desperate fear of closing.” Without a local GP, many patients would have been forced to travel over 60 minutes to access care. It would also have placed an enormous burden on the Queensland Ambulance Service, which operates with just one ambulance to service the entire Pittsworth region.

Carol added that Dr Raima is enjoying her transition into general practice, and the community adore her and are very thankful she is here.

“I cannot emphasis strongly enough how lucky we have been to achieve such a great outcome for this community as a result of some very special people.”

HWQ’s understanding of current and emerging workforce challenges at the practice, and within the region, was the key to this successful outcome. Our recruitment efforts, advisory support and liaison with RVTS enabled the practice to remain open. The recruitment of a new GP has not only improved healthcare access for the local community but has also reduced pressure on the Practice Principal and surrounding health services.