The Rural Medical Family Network (RMFN) consists of a group of voluntary Area Representatives who are medical spouses living and working throughout rural Western Australia. Members of the group, including support staff at Rural Health West are always accessible to provide information, practical assistance and emotional support to other medical families.

The RMFN acknowledges that communication and interconnection between rural medical families enriches their country way of life. A rural doctor's family plays a crucial role in his or her decision to take up and remain in rural practice. Research has shown that, if the spouse and children are happy in a particular location, the doctor is more likely to stay.

The RMFN is administered by a Family Support Project Officer, who is based at Rural Health West to provide:

• Contact, information and visits to medical families relocating to rural areas
• Statewide peer support and networking
• Regional social events
• Family programs at Rural Health West CPD weekends
• Telephone counselling service
• After Hours newsletter
• Education and employment support for spouses via the retraining bursary program.

The RMFN also works collaboratively with Rural GP Divisions/ Networks in meeting needs of medical families and is funded by Rural Health West and the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

Doctors and their families newly arrived in remote or rural WA are strongly encouraged to make contact with the Rural Medical Family Network.