Record number of future doctors join regional career path
- Record number of future doctors enrol in Regional Medical Pathway, training future doctors in Central Queensland and Wide Bay.
- Local universities and Hospital and Health Services partner to meet regional healthcare needs.
- The program provides a sustainable "home-grown" career pathway for regional and rural Queenslanders to train and work closer to home.
The Crisafulli Government is growing regional Queensland's medical workforce, with a record number of students set to kick off their health careers in regional and rural centres.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls congratulated the first round of 30 graduates who progressed to the next stage of the Regional Medical Pathway, with 131 students currently enrolled in the program as undergraduates.
The Regional Medical Pathway creates a pipeline of doctors, nurses and paramedics to work in regional hospitals, and complements the Crisafulli Government's plan to deliver a new $95 million Queensland Academy of Health Sciences in Rockhampton to fast-track high school students into health careers.
The record number of future doctors in Central Queensland and the Wide Bay is part of the Crisafulli Government's Easier Access to Health Services Plan to diagnose, treat and cure Labor's Health Crisis.
For many of these future health workers, a career in medicine would not have been accessible without the Crisafulli Government funded Regional Medical Pathway.
The graduates will continue to train in Central Queensland and Wide Bay under the University of Queensland's postgraduate Doctor of Medicine program.
After a decade of Labor left major staffing gaps across our health services, the Crisafulli Government is focused on ensuring every Queenslander can access the health services they need.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the Government is committed to boosting the ranks of frontline health staff across Queensland.
"A record number of students are taking their first steps in what will be a vital career choice for their local communities," Minister Nicholls said. "For too long under the former Government, Central Queensland and Wide Bay regions suffered workforce shortages and lacked confidence healthcare would be there for them.
"Under Labor, Queensland medical workers were being overworked and left to burn out, particularly in our regions.
"That is why the Crisafulli Government has committed to delivering 34,200 extra clinicians by 2032 under a sustainable workforce pipeline, including home-grown doctors, especially for our underserved regional and rural communities.
"We know that if doctors are exposed to training and life in a regional area early in their careers, they are far more likely to remain in the regions."
Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Lisa Blackler also welcomed the students, saying the program was of huge benefit to the region.
"Not only do students complete placements in our hospitals by our staff, but these teaching opportunities also benefit our senior staff who thrive on sharing their skills and knowledge," Ms Blackler said.
"I wish these new students every success as they embark on this journey, and we look forward to welcoming them as doctors following their graduation."
