Meet Dr Peter Hopcroft 

How have you enjoyed being part of the remote supervision pilot program?

It has been great being part of the program. My supervisor is an experienced rural generalist, and when he is off-site, we have had valuable catch-ups via zoom. The other GPs on site are excellent too, and I have engaged them for advice when needed. 

How long would your patients in Norfolk Island normally wait to see a GP?

Normally people would have to wait around a week to see a GP. Hopefully, we can work on this going into the future. The remote supervision program is certainly helping to reduce wait time, as more doctors in the community mean that people can see a GP when they need it.

Do you feel you are making a difference to the community in Norfolk Island?

People tell me they appreciate having another GP on the island. Most of the GPs that work on the island are locums. I feel like I’m making a difference by becoming a part of the community and a regular face in their day-to-day healthcare team, particularly as I am likely to stay for a year or two after my training. I think the people in Norfolk Island have been really welcoming. I have been given some lovely grapefruit recently too, so I felt like I must be doing an OK job!

Would you recommend remote supervision to other GPs in training?

I would recommend remote supervision to GPs looking to train in remote locations, especially if they are interested in exploring a unique region of Australia. As long as the internet works well, and they have an experienced supervisor to facilitate the process, remote training is as good, if not better in some ways, than traditional training programs. It has been an enjoyable adventure for me so far, and I’m looking forward to learning more from my supervisors and the community in the coming months.