Dr Esther Oluyide commenced at the practice on July 20 and will undertake GP registrar training through the Remote Vocational Training Scheme.
Dr Oluyide brings a broad range of experience to the role, having worked across primary care, community health and regional hospitals in areas including general and emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry and general surgery.
Originally from Nigeria, Dr Oluyide completed her primary medical degree in Samoa and went on to work as a hospital doctor in Tasmania before making the move to regional Victoria.
“I am looking forward to becoming part of the community and supporting residents with their healthcare needs,” Dr Oluyide said.
“Rural practice provides a unique opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients and contribute positively to community wellbeing.”
Her appointment was supported by Connecting The Docs as part of a Murray PHN initiative aimed at improving doctor access in under-serviced rural communities.
Connecting The Docs regional medical workforce partner Stella Koutsantonis said the appointment was an important step towards strengthening Rochester’s medical workforce.
“This appointment is a significant milestone for Rochester,” she said.
“It has helped strengthen access to primary care for local residents. It provides greater continuity of care for patients and supports the long-term sustainability of local healthcare services.”
Connecting The Docs was established in 2023 when seven health services came together to address the ongoing shortage of doctors across regional and rural Victoria.
Ms Koutsantonis said smaller communities such as Rochester faced real challenges in attracting doctors, often competing with metropolitan areas and larger regional centres that could offer greater professional networks, training opportunities and lifestyle options.
Other barriers included access to supervision, career progression, housing, schooling and employment opportunities for doctors’ partners, while international medical graduates could face complex registration and training requirements.
“Addressing these barriers requires collaboration between healthcare providers, training organisations and local communities,” she said.
Connecting The Docs worked with local stakeholders to identify Rochester’s workforce needs and match Dr Oluyide’s experience and career goals with the opportunities available in the town.
Ms Koutsantonis said the organisation also assisted with workforce, registration and training requirements.
“Our role is to help remove barriers for both doctors and communities, creating successful long-term placements rather than simply filling vacancies,” she said.
Campaspe Medical Centre business support officer Laura Watson said bringing healthcare professionals to rural towns was essential so that residents could access the care they needed without leaving their community.
“Dr Oluyide’s appointment strengthens our ability to meet the growing healthcare needs of local families,” she said.
Ms Koutsantonis said the appointment could also help create opportunities for further growth in Rochester’s medical workforce.
“The appointment is much more than filling a vacancy,” she said.
“It creates momentum for future workforce growth and demonstrates that Rochester can successfully attract and support doctors through innovative training and recruitment pathways.”
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