Member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch, has welcomed 36 medical graduates at Gosford Hospital and 29 medical graduates at Wyong Hospital, as part of the 2018 record intake of intern doctors funded by the NSW Government.
Across the State, 999 interns, up from 992 in 2017, will commence their new positions, representing the NSW Government’s commitment to introducing new doctors into the health system, with the State leading the country in terms of funding and conditions.
“Today, we welcome a total of 65 graduates to the Central Coast Local Health District, and we are pleased to be playing our part in leading the country when it comes to training junior doctors,” Mr Crouch said.
NSW guarantees intern positions to all domestic medical graduates from NSW universities.
NSW also provides internships to many graduates from interstate universities and, where possible, international full-fee paying medical graduates.
“NSW is the only state to offer two-year employment contracts to graduates commencing their internship, which includes a rotation through a network of metropolitan, regional and rural hospitals,” Mr Crouch said.
In addition, under the NSW Rural Preferential Recruitment pathway, 132 medical graduates will spend the majority of their first two years working in a rural setting.
“I would like to wish our interns every success as they progress their careers,” Mr Crouch said.
The Central Coast Local Health District’s Medical Education Team Leader, Ms Stacey Poole, said the District was ready to help set these new interns on the path towards a career.
“It’s that time of the year when we welcome 65 new interns to take over the reins and start their medical journey with us.
“We offer a great peer program which is centred around the wellbeing of our junior doctors while providing support through mentoring with other senior doctors.”
“It’s also an exciting time for the Central Coast with Gosford and Wyong Hospitals undergoing redevelopments.
“We’re getting ready for the opening of the new 11-storey clinical tower at Gosford Hospital mid-year.
“Each of the interns, at some stage over their training, will have the opportunity to work in the new facility, which is going to be very exciting,” Ms Poole said.
New interns, Mr Zarza Rashidi and Ms Lauren Stone, said they were excited to be commencing the next chapter in their education and training.
“It’s an exciting time.
“I’ve been studying for the last seven years in science and medicine, so it’s great to be able to reach this next level and start putting everything in practice.
“It’s going to mean more hands-on experience and responsibility, which I’m really looking forward to.
“We have one week of orientation, where we’ll get a better understanding of what to expect over the next couple of years,” Mr Rashidi said.
Ms Stone, who grew up in Copacabana, left the Coast to study and said she was ready to reconnect with her roots.
“It’s great that I’m able to live back on the Coast and be close to my friends and family.
“I can still be involved in the local surf club, which is good too.
“I’m looking forward to being able to give back to the community and help out in whatever way I can.
“The Central Coast has a great reputation for training junior doctors, the more senior staff are really supportive.
“I’m keen to learn as much as I can from them,” Ms Stone concluded.
Source:
Media release, Jan 22
Ben Sheath, Office of Adam Crouch MP
Media release, Jan 23
Clare Graham, Central Coast Local Health District