Country health welcomes homegrown psychiatry fellow

WA Country Health Service’s ground-breaking Rural Psychiatry Training WA (RPTWA) program has reached another impressive milestone, with the first rural trainee achieving fellowship.

Based at Geraldton Health Campus, Dr Daniela Sabbioni is part of the Australian-first program that allows trainee psychiatrists to live, train and practice in country WA from internship through to fellowship.

Dr Sabbioni said the program and support from her mentors set her up for success in fellowship accreditation with The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).

“Working within a team has been extremely rewarding for me,” she said.

“My experience has been uplifting – I have been privileged working within a multidisciplinary team with Aboriginal mental health workers and have accessibility to onsite drug and alcohol services.”

Dr Sabbioni also credits the Midwest to providing the ideal location to train and complete the necessary preparations for her accreditation.

“Moving rurally has been so positive. I’ve been able to work in tandem with a supportive Director of Training and Supervisor where listening to others with similar stories was habitual, wholesome and comforting,” she said.

“The community spirit here and our ability to provide excellent care is what I enjoy most about working in country WA. 

“And Geraldton is a hidden gem,” she added.

WA Country Health Service RPTWA Director of Training, Dr Steven Blefari said Dr Sabbioni was paving the way for other registrars in the program.

“I am excited and proud to see the first RPTWA registrar complete their training and progress to fellowship,” he said.

“Dr Sabbioni has shown true dedication to rural psychiatry, and the Midwest community will benefit greatly from having a local Aboriginal psychiatrist working in the region.”

The Rural Psychiatry Training WA continues to expand and will welcome more than 30 trainees in 2024.