GPRA partners with Alice Springs Hospital, universities to boost doctor numbers in the Northern Territory

General Practice Registrars Australia (GPRA) is building on efforts to address future doctor supply in the Northern Territory through two new initiatives encouraging medical students to consider a career in community-based practice in the Top End. 

Together with the General Practice Students Network (GPSN), GPRA has launched the Alice Springs Rural Immersion Initiative, with a pilot program to commence from November 2026.

“For the past three years, we have invested in annual scholarships and extra education for doctors in training,” said GPRA President Dr Chris Dickie. 

“Now we are investing further, by working with local organisations to promote a career in primary care in the NT, nationally to all future doctors.

“Targeted at penultimate-year medical students from Australian medical schools and members of the GPSN, the Alice Springs Rural Immersion Initiative aims to boost hospital intern numbers and support future medical workforce supply in Alice Springs. 

“It promotes opportunities for medical students from across the country to come and train, learn and give back to the Northern Territory.”

Cailin Green from the University of Melbourne and Ava Larsen from the University of Queensland have been selected from a field of applicants to participate in the pilot. 

Dr Dickie said over six days in November, Cailin and Ava would gain first-hand insight into how a rural internship could transform their clinical skills and future career. 

“They will shadow hospital rounds, engage with the community during visits to local primary care clinics, and travel to Tennant Creek Hospital with the Royal Flying Doctor Service and teams from the Alice Springs Hospital,” said Dr Dickie. 

“This is a real, practical way of addressing future workforce supply, led by the GPSN – the future GPs and Rural Generalists.”

Annabel Tyne, Senior Medical Education Officer, Central Australia Medical Education Unit, NT Health, said the initiative offered Australian medical students a unique experience that would help prepare them for a future career in rural and remote medicine.

“A placement at Alice Springs Hospital provides hands-on clinical variety from day one, and the chance to make a difference in the lives of people across Central Australia,” she said. 

“We look forward to welcoming Cailin and Ava in November, and showing them the culturally rich community healthcare opportunities and extraordinary outback lifestyle Alice Springs has to offer.”

GPRA and GPSN have also established the first GPSN club in the NT to support Flinders University and Charles Darwin University, and promote career pathways in general practice and rural generalism. 

“We want to ensure a career in primary care is front of mind for students from day one of medical school,” said Dr Dickie. “The GPSN remains central to engaging the next generation of doctors and ensuring active consideration of and engagement in primary healthcare throughout medical school.”

GPSN National Chair Dineshe Mohanarajah said interest in the GPSN continued to grow.

“Medical students are not just thinking about the future of general practice, we’re actively shaping it,” he said.

“With nearly 4,800 members and 21 clubs across Australia, GPSN gives medical students a national platform to develop leadership skills, build connections and advocate for the future of primary care they’ll be involved in.

“The launch of the NT club is an exciting next step in this path. We’re proud to support students in the Top End and help expose them to rewarding careers in general practice and rural generalism, serving communities across the Northern Territory.”

It comes as GPRA wraps up its third annual NT Registrars Forum in Darwin, which included a celebration function for the 2026 NT Scholarship winners on 5 September attended by the Administrator of the NT, His Honour the Honourable David Connolly, and NT Minister for Health, the Honourable Steve Edgington. 

Dr Dickie said GPRA’s NT scholarship program played a crucial role in encouraging doctors to work and thrive in the Territory, particularly in remote and First Nations communities.

“Over the past three years, GPRA has awarded 24 scholarships worth over $200,000, and delivered extra education and peer support to over 70 NT-based registrars across all training pathways and Colleges through the annual registrars forum,” said Dr Dickie. 

“GPRA is proud to support early career doctors to train and stay in the Northern Territory.”

The 2026 NT Scholarship winners are:

• Dr Mallee Lambert (Nhulunbuy) – Kanyini Scholarship  
• Dr Niamh Fingleton (Nhulunbuy) – Kanyini Scholarship 
• Dr Gwillym Whittaker (Nhulunbuy) – Dr Debbie Stach Northern Territory GP Registrar of the Year Award 
• Dr Sarita Lawler (Katherine) – Ada Wilmadda Parry Aboriginal Health Scholarship 
• Dr Samuel McLaren (Nhulunbuy) – Ada Wilmadda Parry Aboriginal Health Scholarship
• Dr Eamon O’Bryan (Darwin) – Professor Alan Walker Paediatric Scholarship
• Dr Lucinda Bek (Nhulunbuy) – Professor Alan Walker Paediatric Scholarship

Find out more about the GPRA NT Scholarship program.