Care & Co

The Care and Co program is an initiative of Rural Health West, which has been operating since 1999. This program offers doctors and their families living in remote areas of Western Australia an annual medical consultation and ongoing care by an independent general practitioner.

An information flyer is posted to eligible rural general practitioners, specialists, spouses and rural Divisions of General Practice in Western Australia, informing them of the dates when the general practitioner will be visiting their area. Contact details are listed on the flyer for doctors and their families to respond to should they require an appointment. There is no cost associated with these appointments.

The provision of a medical consultation helps support the retention of rural WA doctors by encouraging them to take care of their health. This service is valued by many of Western Australia’s rural doctors.

The service was developed because of an understanding that in some rural and remote areas of Western Australia it can be difficult for doctors and their families to access independent medical advice. This is particularly significant for overseas-trained doctors who have to adapt to personal and cultural change as well as the new professional situation.

The medical consultation also aims to act as a preventative screening consultation for the doctors and their families. One of the purposes of the program is to educate and encourage doctors about the need to look after their own health, including the need to see a general practitioner regularly. Ongoing care is organised between the rural doctor and the visiting GP.

In addition, all rural doctors and their spouses are invited to use the Rural Medical Family Network Telephone Counselling Service, which is available 24 hours a day all year round. The counsellor is very experienced with the issues rural doctors and their families face.

For more information about the Care and Co program you can email the Care & Co Program Officer or telephone (08) 6389 4500

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