Locum program a win-win for rural and remote health
A unique locum service is helping nurse Liam Correy live the dream.
Originally from Tasmania, the West Australian-based registered nurse is exploring Australia while
continuing to develop his skills and experience in rural and remote nursing.
Liam became a locum with the Nursing and Allied Health Rural Locum Scheme (NAHRLS) last
year, completing two placements at Yorketown Hospital in South Australia.
“I travelled with my surfboard just in case and was lucky enough to get some waves on my days
off. It felt like a real working adventure,” he said.
Since it was first launched in 2011, NAHRLS has delivered more than 4,100 nursing, midwifery
and allied health placements to hundreds of public and private health services across Australia,
from regional hubs to rural, remote and isolated locations.
The program enables health professionals employed in rural and remote areas to take annual
leave or pursue continuing professional development.
The Aspen Medical-run initiative works to recruit, place and support locums, pays and organises
their travel and accommodation, and also covers the cost of meals and incentives throughout
their short-term placements.
Health services are required to pay the base locum rate and, as the service is Federal
Government-funded, there are no agency fees or extra costs.
Locum work enables Liam, who has seven years’ experience in emergency, critical care,
neurosurgical ward and theatre nursing, to pursue his passion for caring for patients while
discovering new parts of Australia.
Liam said NAHRLS removes the transport and accommodation expenses often associated with
travelling for work to some of Australia’s far-flung corners.
“I am incredibly thankful these opportunities exist,” he said.
“The staff members at Yorketown Hospital were extremely friendly and hospitable.
“NAHRLS has given me a greater awareness and perspective on the great opportunities I have
close to home and around Australia.”
Yorketown Hospital Associate Clinical Services Coordinator Tanya Gutsche said the small rural
hospital, located about three hours’ drive from Adelaide, has tapped into the program for the past
four years.
Ms Gutsche said the online booking process is user-friendly and efficient, enabling the hospital to
benefit from vital locum support.
“The NAHRLS program ensures our community has a team of health professionals that are
adequately rested and appropriately trained,” she said.
“There are also some added benefits such as locums offering fresh ideas from previous
workplaces, which provide a reciprocal learning environment.”
Locums are credentialed through Aspen Medical before being matched to a rural or remote
position based on their experience, skills and expertise. NAHRLS then sends a detailed list to the
health service, which selects their preferred locum.
Aspen Medical’s General Manager for Australian Subsidiaries Mark Ellis said the affordable
program ensures experienced health professionals are able to ease the backfill burden on rural
and remote health services.
“We only send out experienced staff members who can slot very easily into their team,” he said.
Mr Ellis said the service is a win-win for rural and remote patients, locums, health services and
their practitioners, as well as sole practitioners.
“An optometrist came up to us at a conference we attended in Melbourne. He was able to go to
that conference because a NAHRLS locum was able to do his backfill,” he said.
“More importantly for him, we were able to provide a cost effective service as we have subsidies
and cover lots of the allowances - he didn’t actually have to pay for them.”
The program also goes a long way towards supporting the health and wellbeing of Australia’s
rural and remote workforce, reducing the risk of stress and burn out.
“This optometrist was actually able to come to this conference with his wife and family and share
experiences with his kids, which he had experienced with his parents when he was younger - so
going to the markets and having hot, fresh jam donuts and things like that,” Mr Ellis said.
“The ability to have that break maintains mental health and wellbeing. Lots of people in rural and
remote areas don’t get those opportunities.
“It’s an important program - NAHRLS is appreciated by people in rural and remote Australia and
it’s a program that actually works.”