Welcome extended to newly arrived next-gen medicos

MEMBERS for Bendigo West and East, Maree Edwards and Premier Jacinta Allan, visited Bendigo Health recently to welcome 43 new medical interns to town.

Half of this year’s cohort are graduates from Monash University, with many having previously undertaken clinical rotations in Bendigo during their training.

The group makes up just over 15 per cent of more than 271 interns to take up places at regional hospitals this year.

Other large intakes included Barwon Health (46), Gippsland Health (36) and Goulburn Valley Health (32).

Medical interns are said to play vital roles in the public health system by delivering essential patient care.

Under the guidance of senior doctors, they rotate through a range of specialties over 47 weeks, including medicine, surgery, emergency, mental health and various other clinical areas.

Ms Allan took the opportunity to mention her government’s ongoing financial backing of public hospitals, nurses and doctors, with this year’s intake boosted by a $203 million State Government health workforce investment.

This includes $47 million to support Victoria’s mental health workers including continuing the psychology registrar program and the Junior Medical Officer psychiatry rotations program.

“We know one of the biggest cost-of-living worries for families is something going badly with their health,” the Premier said. “More doctors in regional Victoria equals more care.

Ms Edwards said starting a medical career at Bendigo Health means joining a service that’s connected to community.

“[It’s] committed to world-class healthcare,” she said.