CQ Health welcomed 37 new medical interns last week (January 11), with the medical graduates starting their medical careers in Central Queensland.
The new doctors did a week of intensive orientation at Rockhampton Hospital before setting off to join clinical teams across the region. Interns will do rotations across Rockhampton, Gladstone and Capricorn Coast hospitals, as well as general practice rotations at Emerald Medical Group and Theodore Medical Centre.
Three others will join the team later in the year, bringing the total number of 2021 interns to 40 – up from 36 last year.
Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher congratulated the interns on taking the next exciting steps in their medical careers.
“It’s a transformative time for health care in our region as we see the benefits of the Palaszczuk Government’s rapid expansion of facilities and services across Central Queensland,” said Mr Butcher.
“I know that these new junior doctors will enjoy rewarding careers caring for our community.”
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said that the Palaszczuk Government would continue to deliver a strong health response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
“A key part of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to ensuring that Queenslanders continue to receive the best healthcare possible is supporting an additional 9,475 frontline health workers over the next four years,” said Minister D’Ath.
“This includes an additional 5,800 nurses, 1,500 new doctors and an extra 475 paramedics.
“I offer my congratulations to the new intern doctors and wish them all the best as they embark on the next exciting step in their careers.”
Deputy Executive Director Medical Services Dr Annette Turley said it was an exciting time for the young doctors as they put their years of studies into practice as valued members of the treating teams.
“We will ensure these graduates are well supported as they make the transition from life as students to full-time staff members,” she said.
Hospital rotations cover several specialties including surgery, general medicine (including sub-specialties renal and cardiac), emergency, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, mental health and orthopaedics.
Dr Turley said Central Queensland was a great starting point for a doctor’s career, saying the interns will have a full year of interesting and varied clinical experiences.
“Doctors in regional hospitals, particularly our rural sites, benefit from plenty of hands-on experience which is harder to find in larger city hospitals,” she said. “We have a full training program to help support and mentor the interns in their first year.”
“We also like to showcase some of the great lifestyle benefits to living in Central Queensland, in the hope these interns will fall in love with our area and want to stick around.
“We warmly welcome this new group of doctors and wish them every success.”