More than 50 doctors and medical students have converged on Victor Harbor to take part in clinical skills workshops, forums and training sessions to learn more about living and working in a rural hospital and clinic setting.

Finniss MP David Basham attended the Rural Doctors’ Association of South Australia’s Destination Rural event dinner at Lost Phoenix Farm in Hindmarsh Valley on Saturday night 223 August.

He says he was thrilled to see the strong interest shown in rural medicine.

“It was a privilege to join local and rural doctors from across the state to have honest conversations about the challenges and the future of rural health.

“There was a lot of enthusiasm with an active interest in practicing medicine in rural and remote regions. This is important, especially in a place like the Finniss electorate, where we have an aging population and also a rapidly growing population. 

“We need to ensure people can receive medical care with adequate staffing, various levels of expertise and the equipment needed to properly care for rural residents.” 

Mr Basham says people contact him every week about challenges in accessing health care, ideas to make the system better, and positive stories about the care they’ve received.

“Rural health isn’t just policy on paper for me — it’s personal. As the local MP, standing up for my community is essential. I advocate for the community when the system has failed them. These lived experiences guide me when I’m fighting for better policies for regional health.”

Mr Basham has a strong personal connection with rural heath, including a father-in-law who dedicated more than 50 years to rural medicine in South Australia, mainly in Victor Harbor, and received long service medals from Rural Doctors.

One of his daughters is currently studying medicine and two of his children were born at the South Coast District Hospital.

“Long before politics, I fought for fairer maternity care for country families when Labor tried rolling out city-centric reforms to the regions. I was also proud to support the opening of the chemotherapy service at South Coast District Hospital — proof that care closer to home makes a real difference.”

Mr Basham says he is still pushing for answers on why the new hospital helipad sits unused while helicopters keep landing on the hockey oval.

“I have a very real interest in rural health — for my family, my neighbours, and every resident in this community. I will always take every opportunity to listen to people working in regional health — and I’ll always fight to make sure country health gets the attention it deserves.”