Dr Kirsty Schippers had never visited Australia before arriving here in July to start a new role in Rockingham, south of Perth. But after hearing from friends and colleagues about the lifestyle and the opportunities for GPs, she and her husband are ready to start a new Australian life together.
Kirsty, originally from Northern Ireland, completed her training in the UK in 2020 and worked in Hereford, before returning to Northern Ireland working as a General Practitioner. But Kirsty and her partner, originally from Zimbabwe, didn’t feel they could put down roots in Northern Ireland, so started exploring other ideas for their future together.
Kirsty was referred to DXC Medical in 2022 and contacted the team to explore her options as a GP in Australia. We explained to Kirsty that she was eligible for the RACGP PEP Specialist Stream and could gain substantial comparability, meaning she wouldn’t need to sit any additional exams in order to work in Australia.
“Melissa from DXC Medical’s Perth Office has been really supportive throughout the whole process,” says Kirsty.
“I’ve had a lot of questions and she’s been really quick to respond via email or to jump on a video call. They’ve guided me through the process of getting all the required registrations and documents in order to start my role, as well as sourcing me a great job with a medical centre in Rockingham.”
Kirsty arrived in Australia with her husband in late July, and Melissa from DXC Medical even went as far as to meet her at the airport and to help with other support, such as advice on getting a mobile phone contract and other life essentials that needed to be sorted.
She’s excited about her new role, and the opportunities she’ll have here thanks to being in a high-quality, large medical centre.
“Already I can see there are a lot more resources available in the medical centre I will be working in, which has access to a dietician service, physiotherapy service, imaging, and bloods all under the one roof. As well as being convenient for patients, it will likely mean more timely investigations, results, and improved patient care.”
DXC Medical have guided and supported Kirsty through the process of medical registration, including verifying her credentials (EPIC), creating an Australian Medical Council (AMC) portfolio, gaining substantial comparability with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and registration with the medical board (AHPRA).
“I’m grateful to DXC Medical for their support - it’s been quite a long, and at times complex, process, and I don’t think I would have been able to navigate it on my own,” says Kirsty.
While waiting for her new role to start, Kirsty and her husband have spent time exploring Perth and the surrounding areas, exploring local beaches, harbours, parks and cafes.
Supporting doctors like Dr Kirsty Schippers to find GP roles in regional and rural locations is part of DXC Medical’s commitment to improving health outcomes throughout Australia.
We wish Kirsty all the best in her new life in Rockingham.
View our Vacancy Map or search RACGP Specialist Stream under GP Pathways to find more suitable jobs
