June 2005

Latrobe Valley project aims to attract health professionals

A Latrobe Valley project aims to identify and overcome the barriers to recruiting and retaining allied health professionals and dentists.

The project is a partnership between Latrobe Regional Hospital, Latrobe Community Health Service and the School of Rural Health at Monash University.

Monash University Research Fellow for the project Selena Gillham said a range of health professionals would be interviewed.

‘We will identify the factors that encourage people to come to this area as well as the elements that enable them to stay.

‘We hope to gain a better understanding of the factors involved so that both organisations can improve their recruitment and retention strategies and attract a stronger workforce to provide for local needs.’

Difficulties recruiting and retaining health professionals in regional areas means patients often have to wait many months for essential services such as public dentistry or physiotherapy.

The project, funded by the Department of Human Services, was showcased at the Rural Health Conference at Beechworth.

Further information can be obtained from Selena Gillham, Research Fellow at the School of Rural Health, Monash University on 5173 8213.