Rural General Practice

Providing health care to the rural communities of Northern Ireland presents challenges but it can be one of the most rewarding and satisfying careers you can have. With more than a third (36%) of Northern Ireland’s population living in rural areas where people report higher happiness levels and life satisfaction (and they even life longer with 4 years of added healthy years!) working and living as a rural GP is something which should not be ‘hidden’ but promoted and valued. https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/key-rural-issues

Working as a General Practitioner in a rural area, you'll be a key member of the community. In fact, as a rural GP you'll be an important part of the viability of your community, keeping it alive in ways that go beyond what you might think of as traditional health care. It's a role where you'll be visible and relied upon in ways that can be just as much about pastoral care as medical. You'll be able to get a more holistic view of their health needs and get to know them better than in most other jobs in medicine.

You can find out much more by reading “rural” GP career stories HERE

The RCGP have a Rural Forum. They represent rural and remote GPs and promote rural issues inside and outside the College Faculties. There are around 800 RCGP members currently signed up to the rural forum, who are invited to participate in discussions pertinent to this group of members. They aim to advance the College's objectives in rural practice, facilitate communication and networking of rural doctors in the UK and support the professional development of rural GPs. For more information see the RCGP website here.

You can also find out more at these links below:-

The European Rural and Isolated Practitioners Assocations (EURIPA) - is a representative network organisation founded by family doctors to address the health and wellbeing needs of rural communities and the professional needs of those serving them across Europe. It represents a growing network of rural practitioners and organisations across Europe working together to disseminate good practice, initiate research and influence policy.

Rural WONCA - is a repository of resources related to rural health.

Rural Seeds - is a network comprising largely of students and young doctors with an interest in rural medicine who collaborate closely with experienced doctors and other health professionals.