The SA and Federal governments have introduced a new initiative aimed at addressing the shortage of doctors in rural and regional areas.

This program, known as the Single Employer Model (SEM), is designed to attract and retain up to 60 GP and rural generalist registrars by offering them the stability of being employed by the South Australian Health Service while they train in various communities.

Under SEM, registrars will not only receive a consistent salary but also benefits akin to those of hospital-employed doctors, such as annual, parental, and sick leave. 

This marks a substantial improvement over the previous system where doctors had to switch employers with each new placement, potentially every six to twelve months.

Premier Peter Malinauskas says the SEM has the potential to make rural medical practice more attractive.

The new model is set to be implemented across five regional and rural Local Health Networks, including Barossa Hills and Fleurieu, Eyre and Far North, Flinders and Upper North, Yorke and Northern, and Limestone Coast. 

This expansion builds on the success of similar initiatives, like the Riverland Academy of Clinical Excellence (RACE), which has already increased the local medical workforce by over 25 per cent.

This approach not only aims to bolster the number of practising doctors in these areas but also seeks to improve the integration of these professionals into local health networks, promoting long-term retention and career development.