Choosing the locum life holds great appeal for many GPs. Not only does it mean they have the opportunity to work in new locations, but they can also help diverse communities, experience different work environments and grow professionally.
For Dr Pit Young, locum work has been a way to see new parts of Australia, while also contributing to communities in need.
After retiring from her 30-year GP career working on the Central Coast, Pit and her husband went travelling overseas. But upon their return and with the onset of Covid, Pit was keen to explore Australia and try something new.
Locum work was a great option for Pit, who now regularly returns to Broken Hill to locum with an Aboriginal Health service.
“Indigenous health is really interesting,” says Pit.
“It’s really gratifying and satisfying to see that you’re making a difference, and because I’ve been out there a number of times now I’m building relationships and trust with the community. People are now asking for me and wanting to return to me for their continuity of care, which is great.”
Working in a remote location has been eye-opening for Pit, who says the support is very different to when she was working as a GP on the coast.
“There is great support here for locum doctors, but it’s still a very different set-up. There is a hospital here in Broken Hill, but specialists are often flying in on rotation at certain times of the month, so access to medical resources isn’t as consistent and sometimes patients have to be flown to Adelaide,” says Pit.
For Pit and her husband, placements in Broken Hill have been an opportunity to see the real Australia, exploring inland locations such as Cameron Corner where the states of Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales meet, the Mundi Mundi Plains, Silverton and White Cliffs.
“Broken Hill is becoming much more of a tourist destination now, and there are great events throughout the year and so much to see in the surrounding area. It’s so different from the coast and we’re loving exploring the wide open spaces and seeing iconic places such as the Dingo Proof Fence,” says Pit.
“It’s also a really social and welcoming place. We’ve met so many people, and have taken part in walking groups, trivia nights and even going to the local races. Everyone is really friendly and because it’s a small place it’s easier to get to know people”
For Pit, the appeal of locum work is that she can still commit to her family responsibilities back home, while using her medical expertise to help a remote community.
“I can be home for my son’s birthday or my daughter’s graduation, and choose the timing that works best for me and my life.”
At DXC Medical, we’re always looking for skilled GPs to fill our locum vacancies in regional and rural locations around Australia.
Find out more about our locum opportunities, check out our vacancy map and search locum: DXC Vacancy Map
