Mid West
The Mid West - Gascoyne Region encompasses not only the thriving regional city of Geraldton but also the coastal towns of Carnarvon and Dongara as well as outback regional towns like Meekatharra, Northhampton and Morawa, all of which provide training opportunities for GP registrars.
Geraldton is a thriving regional city, overlooking the Indian Ocean and supporting a growing population of 35,000 people. Situated 424km north of Perth, Geraldton has all the major services, cultural shopping and sporting facilities you would expect in a city, yet a more relaxed pace of life, typical of the country.
With stunning white sandy beaches, crystal clear blue waters, picturesque boardwalks and cycle ways, exciting entertainment precincts, shopping malls, heritage and bush walking trails, there’s nothing you can’t do and enjoy in Geraldton.
And that’s no matter what time of year.
Geraldton has a magnificent Mediterranean climate, with seemingly endless days of sunshine. With only half the rainfall of Perth, Geraldton is a place of mild winters, balmy autumn evenings, summers cooled by regular sea breezes and glorious spring days bursting with energy.
Geraldton’s surrounds are just as exciting. A burgeoning wine district is on the doorstep in the charming Chapman Valley. The popular coastal resort town of Kalbarri is only one and a half hours north. And over the seas lies the mysterious, pristine and beautiful Houtman Abrolhos Islands, a water and nature lovers’ paradise.
Between Geraldton and Carnarvon is the World Heritage listed Shark Bay, home to dolphins and dugongs, as well as the much unappreciated stromatolites. North of Carnarvon is the popular fishing and surfing spot of Gnaraloo, and further north is Ningaloo National Park, home to whale sharks and marine life on a par with the Great Barrier Reef.
The Mid West - Gascoyne region has access to excellent medical facilities with a new $50 million Geraldton Regional Hospital and St John of God Hospital located in Geraldton. District hospitals are located in Carnarvon, Northampton, Morawa, Three Springs, Meekatharra and Mullewa with nursing posts located throughout the region.
There are many available training practices for GP Registrars to complete their training within the Mid West - Gascoyne region. Composite training is available, where registrars have the opportunity to combine procedural, non-procedural, and Aboriginal health training. Diploma training in obstetrics is supervised through our Geraldton based obstetricians, and paediatric training is available at the regional hospital.
The Mid West - Gascoyne also has a large Aboriginal population with two Aboriginal Medical Services, one in Carnarvon and the other in Geraldton and the Murchison region. Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service provides training to registrars on a full or part-time basis.
It’s possible to complete all your training in the Mid West - Gascoyne region, including options to work in more remote settings under supervision of experienced remote GPs.
To learn more about what it’s like training in the Mid West - Gascoyne, click here.