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I am posting this issue out of desperation after three years of unsuccessful searching for a Podiatrist to fill positions in a very busy practice. We are based in Coffs Harbour New South Wales, a very liveable city with ample infrastructure in a beautiful part of the world.

The obvious problem facing practices throughout Australia is the lack of University positions each year. With a large proportion of the graduates heading overseas on completion of the degree to Singapore and beyond, this is starving the local Australian practises. We are all aware of the ‘aging population’ and with other health services acting to cope with this situation it appears our profession is quietly sitting back and burning out the overworked and understaffed recourses we have.

Our practice services a population of over 95,000 with one full time and one part time Podiatrist. The full time Podiatrist has been practising for over twenty years and is now having regular over-stressed breakdowns. After exhausting what seems like all avenues, including sponsoring overseas Podiatrists, the practising is seriously looking at closing it’s doors. This will leave a large ‘no-service gap’ in Northern NSW.

Pressure needs to be applied to the Universities, Government or policy makers to increase the number of University positions and make it mandatory that on completion of training, the Graduates must serve at least one year in this country.

Should changes not be made the rate of burn-out will increase, there will be less practitioners and more hospitalisation at a higher cost to the Government.

Is any one else feeling this pressure?
Have you found a solution?


We ask that you may support our course and lobby the ‘powers that be’ to rectify this problem.

Peter Johnson

Coffs Harbour Podiatry.

Peter

Thanks for informing the profession of you plight...this is a serious concern as the baby-boomer generation ages and the proportion of people of 70 will double in the next 20yrs. As well, the coastal areas no doubt continue to be swamped by "sea-changers" looking to retire out of the capital cities.

The problem you raise has been well publicised in medicine, but less so in other health professions.

I had an optometrist in not long ago doing his annual pilgrimage to the capital city for some medical reviews. At around 70yo he is desparate to retire from his thriving, profitable practice in a large regional coastal city. He cannot even give away his practice.

Unfortunately, as I see it - young podiatrists enter out profession and want to live in capital cities. Before long, the majority seem to exit the profession for a variety of reasons before they reach the age of wanting a slower pace and focusing on family and lifestyle - which is what Northern NSW is well-known for.

Write to your local State and Federal MPs!!!!

LL

Peter may I suggest going to the source and personally contacting the Head of Program at each University asking if you can place an electronic notice on the graduating years job notice board?

It also pays fantastic dividends to be part of a Universities external placement program. Its a great way to introduce students to your place of work.

What we constantly find is that if a student has a valuable placement experience they will generally approach that placement after graduating for advice on work or even any current job opportunites - it may not work for you, but its just a simple thought that may help.

I believe there is a course starting at through the University of Newcastle this year, so there is hope yet that those trained in this course will stay in the (general) area?!
I agree with Paul that by being a placement host you will attract new graduates who have been to your practice before or have heard about it from their fellow students. This year at my place of work (public sector, department of 8 podiatrists) we have two new graduates who had been final year students with us the year before.

Good Luck!
Helen.

I'm a UK 2nd year student, graduating in July 2008. I want to live and work in Australia and I'm aware of many others like me in the U.K. I've read about the emigration process and different visa applications, but it's very difficult to know where to start, especially as I'm 40 and need to get going! Peter, I would willingly come to NSW August 2008 and work for you, if I knew the best way to do it and if an "older" or should I say "experienced" new graduate would be acceptable!!! The process seems to take too long for me to apply and employers just don't want to wait and/or take on a new graduate. Consequently UK podiatrists who don't have the relevant number of "points" for the work visa or emigration applications can't move out to Australia without the sponsorship of a prospective employer. And yet as Peter has clearly experienced, employer sponsorship is a significant risk. It's a bit of a catch 22 don't you think?

From what I can tell, there isn't a shortfall of podiatrists in the capital city in which I live. It appears to be more a rural/regional shortfall.

I'm a rurally bonded scholarship student, city born and bred. I think there are 2 other students in my cohort who were considering rural/regional careers halfway through the degree. For me, the big thing that made me think going to the country could be cool was actually going out of the capital city, seeing what it's like to live and work in a rural/regional area. Personally, rural/regional podiatry for me wins hands down. Diversity, opportunity, travel, and some places that actually do have all the necessary facilities - fast food, supermarkets, cinemas :) . I wonder if structuring more rural/regional podiatry exposure into undergraduate courses would help draw at least graduate podiatrists further afield. I wonder though, if it's fair to focus on graduates. How do you draw experienced podiatrists to regional areas?

I do hope that you are able to find someone to fill the vacancy. Good luck :)

Hi

I came to Mid North Coast in May last year to take up a post that the public health service had been trying to fill for 3 years. I am from the UK and was found through Global Health, a recruitment agency based in Perth. Myself and partner wanted to live by the coast but not in the city and this position was perfect.

I know there are quite a few UK pods who would love to live in your area, and would probably prefer private practise to public. I have also been contacted by another recruitment agency who have a UK pod wanting to live by the coast, but we only have a 0.5 position available. If you would like details please reply. Best Wishes Esher

Hi Peter,

I'm sorry to hear that positions in your area are hard to fill. I am a third year student in the UK who will be qualified this year but feel I should do my 4th yr to get my honours degree (there is debate as to whether it makes a difference, but I've come this far feel I should complete the journey). It is then my intention to try and immigrate to Australia a process which seems to be exhausting due to the variation of visas. I keep being told to get sponsorship (not so easy to get) but it seems hard when I don't want to leave until 2008 but I know how long it takes to sort out visa's etc and so it's catch 22. But I'm sure I'm one of many in the UK who would love to settle in Oz and for whom a job offer and sponsorship is the only way to get there. For me Coffs Harbour is exactly where I'm hoping to settle as I have friends who have recently emigrated there. I hope you have luck filling your position but if not hope you may consider a new graduate. Kind regards Emily

Does anyone know if it is at all possible for a Board Certified Podiatrist from The United States to emigrate and work in Australia. I am a member of the " EU " if that helps at all. Thank you.

There are numerous threads on working as a podiatrist in Australia on this site. Have a snoop around.

American DPM degrees are recognised here, however like all overseas qualifications you need to sit an Overseas Entrance Exam administered by the Australasian Podiatry Council. Once completed and passed, you are able to register in the State you wish to work in. Surgical qualifications will need to be separately assessed by the Australasian College of Podiatric Surgeons before you can practice surgery other than skin and nail procedures.

LL

Thank you very much LL. That was most helpfull.

Bill

There are numerous positions in Melbourne that have been vacant for 6 months or more. Full-time & part-time Community Heatlh positions.

We have 2 positions available in an inner suburban location - we've advertised 4 times, utilised the University boards, tried word-of mouth , e-mail recruitment and just haven't had a single application. The remaining Podiatrists are getting very stressed by the demands of maintaining the clientload when we're short-staffed.

Hello
Just to stir the pot a bit. No one has mentioned money yet. Has anyone dangled a big enough carrot to coax pods from there cosy zones of comfort?

Sorry had a mention the M word.

Cheers
JOE

Hi Joe,

It wouldn't take a big carrot to entice me and my family...
I am in the process of finishing the degree top-up in two weeks time (diploma 1987)and if successful intend to immediately apply for a full residential visa and as quick as the ink dries on it, I'll be out the door to the Melbourne area.My wife likes the look of Mornington to live in and I'll work anywhere.
Lifestyle change for the 4 kids is the idea......any thoughts?

Keith

Joe has hit the nail on the head! To entice people out of their comfort zones, you have to offer them something special! Also, you have to think of the cost of relocating...etc etc. It's not an easy thing to do - pick up your life and move!

You are right about the cost but money isnt the main issue.If you are not happy with work conditions at home what do you do?Look elsewhere,and the bonus is a better way of life for the ankle biters!
If the salaries even come close to matching, then the other considerations as to why you want to move will tip the balance...

Keith