RECORD INTAKE OF MEDICAL INTERNS AT NSW HOSPITALS

A record 999 medical graduates will start work today on hospital wards across the State, under the NSW Government’s $107 million internship program.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Health Brad Hazzard today congratulated some of the 56 medical graduates starting their one-year internship at Nepean Hospital, joined by local members Stuart Ayres and Tanya Davies.

“The first day as an intern is an unforgettable milestone for every medical graduate, and I wish them every success,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“The NSW Government is committed to supporting medical graduates during these critical early years of training, both in metropolitan and rural areas, which set the foundation for their careers as doctors.”

NSW has more intern positions than any other state or territory. Across the State, 999 internship positions have been snapped up for 2018, 319 more than in 2010 under Labor.

The largest numbers of interns will go to Westmead, Nepean, John Hunter and the Royal Newcastle Centre, Wollongong, Royal North Shore, Royal Prince Alfred, Blacktown-Mount Druitt, St George and Liverpool hospitals.

Mr Hazzard said NSW is leading the country in training opportunities for medical graduates, investing more than $107 million to boost the number of intern doctors in city and regional hospitals.

“We are the only state to offer two-year employment contracts to our graduates, who then continue working in our hospitals or undertake further specialist training,” Mr Hazzard said.

“This year’s cohort is particularly significant as it includes 20 Aboriginal medical interns, 17 more than in 2012 when we started this program pathway for Aboriginal graduates, which is unique in Australia. This will help improve health outcomes for our Aboriginal patients.”

The interns will rotate through a network of metropolitan, regional and rural hospitals, as well as GP practices. Additionally, under the NSW Rural Preferential Recruitment pathway, 132 medical graduates will spend the majority of their first two years working in a rural setting. NSW also supports a further six intern positions in Bega (two positions) and Goulburn (four positions), filled via the ACT intern training network.

“These interns will be in the future the backbone of our health system in NSW, and the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government will do all that is necessary for the development of their professional skills,” Mr Hazzard said.

The NSW Liberals and Nationals Government has delivered more than 9000 nurses, doctors and midwives since 2011.

Minister for Western Sydney and Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said: “The placement of more than 300 medical graduates to Western Sydney hospitals will be a tremendous boost for health in our area.”

Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies added: “The interns starting at Nepean Hospital today will have a huge opportunity to learn from the best in the field, it’s wonderful to have them working in our community.”

2018 Intern distribution across NSW hospitals