An innovative program which is connecting junior doctors with General Practitioners and trainees across rural WA has secured two $50,000 grants from the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).

The Building Rural Insight and Discovery with General Practice Engagement (BRIDGE) program is an initiative of the Rural Clinical School of WA - WA Regional Training Hubs. 

This investment recognises BRIDGE as a high-impact, region-specific initiative that strengthens the rural medical workforce pathway by giving junior doctors meaningful, first hand exposure to Rural Generalist practice.

WA Regional Training Hubs mentor Dr Brian Cunningham said the program pilot delivered over 2025 had been transformative for the 12 junior doctor participants.

Dr Cunningham said what set BRIDGE apart was its focus on connection - to people, place and purpose. 

“Getting dirt on your boots changes everything. Once you’ve walked through a rural practice, met the community and listened to rural GPs share their stories, you start to understand the purpose and satisfaction behind rural medicine,” he said. 

Image: Tour 1 - Albany junior doctors and mentor Dr Brian Cunningham (pictured in high-vis), tour Mt Barker, Kojonup and Katanning general practices and communities in May 2025.

Delivered in partnership with the WA Country Health Service Medical Education Unit and Rural Generalist Pathway WA, BRIDGE takes junior doctors working in regional hospitals out of the wards and into rural communities. 

During these immersions, junior doctors learn directly from rural GPs, GP registrars and multidisciplinary health staff. They take part in clinical discussions, professional development sessions and informal networking opportunities - gaining an honest insight into the scope, complexity and rewards of Rural Generalist medicine.

Junior doctors also experience community life through Aboriginal cultural activities, farm visits and local tours. 

Dr Cunningham said the ACRRM grants would help BRIDGE to expand by offering more rural immersions across the State and more places for participants in 2026. 

Using two days of professional development leave, he said participants would be able to travel on overnight immersions to remote Mid West, Wheatbelt, South West and Great Southern communities.

“With ACRRM support, BRIDGE will scale up in 2026 and create more opportunities for junior doctors to step into rural life and build their confidence in Rural Generalist practice. They are the future of our sustainable regional health service in WA,” he said. 

Image: Tour 2 - Albany junior doctors touring general practices and communities between Walpole, Manjimup and Katanning in July 2025.

ACRRM fellowship manager David York said the college was pleased to support the delivery of the BRIDGE program with two $50,000 grants supporting multiple WA rural and remote regions. 

“ACRRM is dedicated to improving healthcare access for rural, remote and First Nations communities across Australia," he said.

"The Rural and Remote Community Support Grant, through funding from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, is designed to enhance healthcare delivery and directly support the recruitment and retention of doctors in communities classified from MM4 to MM7." 

For further information, contact [email protected]  

BRIDGE pilot participant feedback:

“It was the first time rural medicine felt real, hands-on, honest and full of purpose. It completely changed my perspective.”

“It wasn’t a recruitment pitch. It was real people doing real work and it made me think - I could belong here.”

Image: Tour 3 - Albany junior doctors touring general practices and communities in Narrogin, Katanning and Kojonup in September 2025.