Country intern milestone at Bunbury and Albany

Friday, 27 January 2017
 
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• ​For the first time, 10 junior doctors will complete their internships in the country
• 320 interns across WA include record number of Aboriginal graduates

Bunbury and Albany hospitals are marking a health milestone by hosting the State's first intake of junior doctors set to complete their internships wholly in regional Western Australia.

Health Minister John Day congratulated the graduates, who were among 320 junior doctors welcomed into the WA public health system for 2017.

"This is the latest example of the Liberal National Government's health care leadership," Mr Day said.

"Both Albany and Bunbury hospitals will benefit, with five interns each, but experience shows that regional Western Australia will be the big winner because doctors trained in the country are more likely to practice in country areas.

"I am also pleased to see a record number of Aboriginal graduates this year, with six interns starting their careers at Royal Perth and Sir Charles Gardiner hospitals."

The Minister said the country intern project dovetailed with the Liberal National Government's $500 million Southern Inland Health Initiative.

"Research shows that the Southern Inland Health Initiative has driven a 37 per cent increase in country GPs and almost doubled the number of doctors staying longer than four years in southern inland locations," he said.

"Importantly, our new junior doctors in Bunbury and Albany will get to experience a fulfilling regional lifestyle.

"There are some exciting opportunities in our hospitals across the State and the skills they will bring to our services will help us continue to deliver safe, quality care to those who need it most."

The 320 junior doctors accepted for internships in WA this year include all 307 domestic graduates from WA medical schools, plus 13 who were trained interstate.

"The interns based at Perth's tertiary hospitals will be offered rotations to WA country hospitals as well as other metropolitan hospitals including St John of God Midland Public Hospital and Ramsay Health Care campuses," Mr Day said.

Fact File

• The 320 interns include 119 at Fiona Stanley Hospital, 85 at Royal Perth Hospital, 106 at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, five at Albany Hospital and five at Bunbury Hospital
• A further 18 junior doctors, including 14 international medical graduates from UWA, will start work at Ramsay Health Care campuses, under an agreement with the Australian Government