Dr John Buckley

Dr John Buckley is a GP delivering GP services to rural and remote health practitioners through Rural Doctors Foundation funded initiative GPs4RuralDocs program. Dr John Buckley will visit the Queensland communities of St George, Goondiwindi and Stanthorpe on a regular basis throughout the year to provide face to face GP services with telehealth care provided in between town visits. John has spent over 40 years in the medical industry, is trained in doctor-to-doctor care and is as passionate about his work today as he was the day he graduated. His career has given him an insight into both worlds – rural and urban practice – having spent time out regionally as well as in the northern suburbs of Brisbane. He is not blind to the challenges of working in rural medicine. He experienced them himself during his time as the only hospital doctor in a small former mining town in rural Queensland. As the Medical Superintendent, and only doctor, at the hospital in Mount Morgan for two years his only relief was every second weekend when a private GP in stepped in. Otherwise, it was 24/7 availability. Having also spent many years as a GP educator, he has gained valuable insights into doctors’ health and wellbeing. The impact this line of work can have on doctors’ mental health and wellbeing, even more so for rural and remote practitioner who often have limited access to independent care from someone they have no professional ties. John explains that doctor’s health and self-care were two key areas he focused on in his GP training programs. Having the opportunity to provide a service that keeps doctors happy, healthy, and thriving is one of the key reasons why he has joined GPs4RuralDocs as a treating GP. To find out more about the GPs4RuralDocs program, contact Rural Doctors Foundation on (07) 3039 0011 or by email at info@ruraldoctorsfoundation.org.au