Junior doctors hear from Tamworth’s best

4 May 2009

In an ongoing bid to retain talented clinicians in the region, Tamworth Hospital is hosting a dynamic Careers Forum for the next generation of rural doctors.

More than 20 clinicians, including two local General Practitioners (GPs), will address the current intake of Tamworth Hospital’s Junior Medical Officers (JMO) and Resident Medical Officers (RMOs) tomorrow (Tuesday 5 May) to discuss career opportunities and specialist training options in rural communities.

Tamworth Hospital JMO Elizabeth Leprince said the forum was an ideal opportunity to learn more about what she can do to become a skilled rural GP, focusing on adolescent and women’s health.

“I’m interested in rural practice, so the forum should give me some more insight into how I can have a rewarding career,” Elizabeth said.

“I grew up in the country and I’ve seen that as well as being the first point of call for a town’s medical needs, being a GP allows you to be very involved in the development of your community.

“I’m hoping that by hearing from the Tamworth staff specialists and Tamworth GPs, it will reinforce what I already know about the benefits of rural practice.”

The senior doctors will speak to the JMOs and RMOs about specialist options, their clinical experiences and training opportunities available in regional areas as well as rewarding careers in surgery, paediatrics, emergency and intensive care medicine, anaesthesiology, cardiology, obstetrics, pathology, eye surgery, orthopaedics, psychiatry, neurology and general practice.

Tamworth Hospital Medical Education Co-ordinator Christine Van Wamel said the forum was part of a wider HNE Health strategy to encourage young doctors to continue their medical careers in rural areas such as Tamworth.

“Many of our 2009 intake of JMOs decided to come to Tamworth Hospital for their first year out of university because they’ve spent time training here during their study,” Ms Van Wamel said.

“It’s obvious Tamworth is an attractive place to work, but allowing the JMOs to learn more about their options for working in the region long-term will hopefully help us to attract and retain doctors in the future.”

The Careers Forum will be held at the University Department of Rural Health (UDRH) Building at Tamworth Hospital tomorrow (Tuesday 5 May).

Media are welcome to attend for interviews at 1pm (during the lunch break)

Contact: Emma Gibbs

Phone: (02) 6767 7137 or 0428 114 767