New stats show GP numbers in rural and remote Western Australia have risen for the first time since 2008, reports say its due to the increased fly-in fly-out medical positions.

The Rural Health West (RHW) annual survey has found an increase of 6% from 699 in 2011 to 741 in November 2012, with fly-in fly-out workers making up around half that amount.

There had been warnings several regions were facing a worsening GP workforce crisis.

RHW CEO Belinda Bailey said the latest figures painted a more promising picture.

“The 2012 survey returned some promising data, including the overall increase of the rural general practice workforce and in particular the highest recorded figure of GPs in training,” she said.

“This indicates that interest in and experience of rural practice is increasing with each graduating medical class.”