Dr Michael Clements

Rural Generalist Training Advisor, Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway
Practice Principal, Fairfield Central Medical Practice, Townsville

Dr Michael Clements commenced his studies at Sydney University through the RAAF Graduate Medical Scheme. After working as a junior doctor in Sydney, Michael spent the rest of his training and subsequent working life outside of the cities and holds the FRACGP and FARGP with the ARST of Small Town Rural General Practice.

After commencing general practice training in Geraldton with a mixed ED-GP post (and some flying lessons) he commenced his military service undertaking specialised military medicine training with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). His first posting was to Katherine in the NT with a mixed post of General Practice, Retrievals and Emergency Medicine.

Military service with the RAAF included a Middle East deployment, multiple domestic and international aero medical missions in a variety of platforms and a year long exchange posting to the RAAF in the UK at the Centre for Aviation Medicine. Discharging from the RAAF after a posting to Townsville, Michael then became the Director of Medical Services at Ingham Hospital while training for his Specialty in Medical Administration (FRACMA). After a stint as a Medical Director at Townsville Hospital, Michael decided to open his own General Practice in Townsville with a special focus on training registrars and in providing outreach clinics using GPs with special interests.

Michael has settled in Townsville with his family and fulfils the ‘inner remote GP’ inside by mixing Townsville based work with remote visits. He has opened two clinics in Townsville and provides visiting GP services and specialist outreach to towns such as Normanton, Doomadgee, Mornington Island, McKinlay and Gregory Downs, and they have just agreed to provide all the GP services for the township of Karumba in collaboration with the HHS and the local Nurse Practitioner.

Michael believes there is a strong future in private general practice in rural and regional areas and is keen to promote the important role that Rural Generalists provide by working in community general practices across the state. He is married with four children and is always looking for the next opportunity to fly somewhere and start a new clinic.