Dr David Hateley
When did you get your first taste of rural work?
My first rural job after I finished was on King Island (population 1500) in Bass Straight for almost 3 years. Here I did everything from Primary care, ED, Hospital Medicine, Nursing Home care and Palliative care. A good base for rural practice. However now I mostly do Anaesthetics and ED.
How did you navigate GP training and advanced skills training?
After the start of Covid I moved to WA and completed a Cert ED in Busselton, Geraldton and Albany and then JCCA and DRGA in Bunbury.
Is there a certain temperament that suits being a rural generalist?
I think having the ability to go with the flow is an important part of being a rural generalist. It can certainly change from office based primary care to needing critical care skills on the same day.
What does the next generation of rural generalists look like to you?
The next generation are exciting! Young doctors being trained with skills that want to work rurally. What’s not to like!
When you’re not at work, what do you do with your free time?
I am a keen surfer. Currently, l help out Dr Phil Chapman with running the organisation Surfing Doctors who provide volunteers for remote surf camps mostly in the third world and running education and conferences.
What are the hours like working as a rural generalist?
The hours are varied depending on the job. ED stuff is very shift work oriented with not too much on call and the Anaesthetics has more on call but more business hours work.
What is unique about the region you work in?
My current job is a sabbatical from WACHS and I am employed by the Australian Antarctic Division about to be deployed to Mawson station for Winter 2025! Otherwise, I reside in the Southwest but work all around the state.
What is your favourite thing about the region you live in?
The Southwest has so much to offer. Good walks, surfing, mountain biking, wine and great Restaurants. But the best thing about the region is a restaurant called Miki’s Open Kitchen in Margaret River!
If you weren’t a doctor, what would you have done for a career?
I would be a fire fighter for sure! They seem to have work life balance sorted out!
If you could have any superhero power, what would that be and why?
That I could fly really fast. That way going to work at different places would take minutes instead of days and hours! Photo: Dr David Hateley just as he landed in Antarctica!