Prioritising the health and wellbeing of rural practitioners
Dr Sian Ford is a Treating GP providing dedicated care to rural and remote health practitioners in Barcaldine and nearby communities through the Rural Doctors Foundation GPs4RuralDocs initiative.
With decades of experience in rural medicine, Dr Ford brings not only clinical expertise but also deep compassion and understanding to the unique challenges faced by rural and remote healthcare professionals.
Born and trained in Wales, Dr Ford began her career in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, and General Practice. But it was Australia and more specifically, rural Australia that captured her heart. She arrived in the outback Queensland town of Charleville ready to serve, and for 13 years, she did just that: as a solo GP and Visiting Medical Officer for Queensland Health.
Sian’s work extended beyond the clinic walls, reaching remote areas through the Royal Flying Doctor Service, where she focused on women’s health for over a decade.
Now based in Toowoomba, Sian is the Director and Principal of Middle Ridge Family Practice. She’s also a medical educator, nurturing the next generation of rural doctors. Sian is a supervisor with both with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
Dr Ford holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Wales, is a Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners (UK), and has a Diploma in Child Health. She is a Fellow of both the RACGP and ACRRM, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors—reflecting her commitment to clinical excellence, rural health, and leadership.