Supporting Rural Doctors: Who Cares for the Carers?
They’re the ones who answer the call, through fires, floods, and 4am emergencies. But who’s there supporting rural doctors when they need help themselves?
In Season 2, Episode 21 of It Takes Heart, hosts Sam Miklos, CEO of Cornerstone Medical Recruitment (cmr), and Kate Coomber, Head of Talent and Employer Branding, sit down with Fran Avon, CEO of the Rural Doctors Foundation, and founding doctor Dr John Buckley. Together they explore what it really means to be supporting rural doctors, not just in times of crisis, but every day they show up for others.
This episode is a powerful reflection on what happens when care flows both ways. Through programs like GPs 4 Rural Docs, the Foundation is quietly reshaping how we care for our carers, offering rural health professionals’ access to private, judgement-free support right where they live and work.
“If I fall over, who will be here to look after everyone else?”
A rural GP, quoted by Dr Buckley
That single question captures what so many rural health professionals carry quietly, the pressure, the exhaustion, the belief that they must always keep going. Supporting rural doctors means acknowledging this reality and giving them safe spaces to prioritise their own wellbeing without fear or judgement.
Dr Buckley, who now dedicates his practice to seeing other clinicians, shares stories of hotel-room consults after natural disasters and check-ups for those who haven’t had time to see a doctor in over a decade. These aren’t just appointments. They’re acts of preservation – for people and for communities.
“We’re supporting the people who support entire communities.”
Fran Avon
What makes the Rural Doctors Foundation different is that it’s grassroots. There’s no bureaucracy, no clinical coldness, just real, flexible care from people who understand. Whether it’s flying in extra support, offering GP services in a borrowed clinic, or simply listening, the Foundation is there. Not just for doctors, but for nurses, midwives, physios, and anyone delivering care in rural Australia.
And that support isn’t just practical, it’s deeply emotional. It says: We see you. We value you. You matter, too.
In this episode, we don’t just hear about programs, we witness a shift in culture. One where supporting rural doctors is not a luxury, but a necessity for the survival of our health system. It’s about changing the narrative from endurance to sustainability.
Watch Season 2, Episode 21 of It Takes Heart to hear how the Rural Doctors Foundation is supporting rural doctors and strengthening healthcare from the inside out.
More about The Rural Doctors Foundation
The Rural Doctors Foundation is a national rural health charity committed to supporting rural doctors and improving access to care across Australia’s remote communities. Led by rural doctors and community members, their programs focus on keeping the workforce well, so they can continue delivering life-saving care. Learn more here.
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