Specialist Obstetricians Locum Scheme (SOLS) - Specialist Obstetrician Locum Scheme (SOLS)
Welcome to the Specialist Obstetrician Locum Scheme (SOLS)
Welcome to the Specialist Obstetrician Locum Scheme (SOLS) website. SOLS is a workforce support program designed to supply affordable, quality locum relief to rural specialist and GP obstetricians. The program is funded by the Australian Government.
SOLS uses the new Australian Standard Geographical Classification - Remoteness Area (ASGC-RA) to define SOLS eligibility. ASGC-RA will replace the current RRMA classification and SOLS Applicants must be located in ASGC-RA 2-5.
In July 2011, SOLS signed a contract with the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) for $1.5 million to continue SOLS for a further year. Targets for the current contract (July 2011- June 2012) include 76 specialist obstetrician locum placements and 27GP obstetrician placements. SOLS is also a part of the National Rural Locum Program which also includes GPALS and RGPLP.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 25 October 2011 23:14
Management
The SOLS workforce support program is jointly managed by a tripartite Management Group consisting of representatives from RANZCOG, RDAA and NSW RDN. There is also an Advisory Committee consisting of representatives from key stakeholder groups to provide external guidance.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 25 October 2011 22:50
Background
There is a critical shortage of obstetricians in rural and remote Australia . Despite the fact that nearly one third (30%) of all babies born in Australia are born in rural and remote locations, only 16% of the 1160 practising obstetricians reside and practice in rural Australia (AMWAC Report, 2004.20). In addition, the current rural specialist obstetrician workforce is ageing, with a median age of 56 years. (Robson, Bland, Bunting 2005). This means that half of the obstetricians now practising in rural areas may have retired within five years and it is unlikely that the subsequent vacancies will be filled with young recruits.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 25 October 2011 22:51
Read more...Contact
For more detailed information about SOLS, please explore this website, or contact us directly:
SOLS Secretariat
SOLS Co-ordinator
RANZCOG
(t) +61 3 9412 2912
(f) +61 3 9415 9306
(e) sols@ranzcog.edu.au