Push to get health care grads to go bush

REGIONAL allied healthcare received a boost last week with the announcement of a State funded program to assist recent graduates to relocate.

Occupational therapy and speech pathology graduates can now apply for grants of up to $15000 to cover the cost of relocating to regional Victoria.

Premier and Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan, said the initiative was targeted at encouraging health specialists to work in regional areas.

“We know that being able to access allied health services as part of the overall health care of rural and regional communities is really important,” she said.

At a cost of $7.5 million the program aims to support at least 400 domestic and international graduates to relocate.

“It is a really practical way that we can provide support for students who are thinking about where they want to go and live and work when they’re entering the early stages of their career,” Ms Allan said.

“It’s also about providing our health services with access to staff to continue to provide the great quality health services that are offered across rural and regional Victoria.”

Recent occupational therapy graduate and Bendigo Health staff member Ella Sutton said she thought the incentive was a good idea.

“I would recommend this to all OT’s practicing at the moment, even those working in metro areas or rural areas, it’s going to really help facilitate that transition to work in regional,” she said.

“I love working here, the support we receive is phenomenal and it’s just a great program that we have here.”