New hospital interns are just the medicine

Hospital services in the Noosa region are set to receive a boost following an announcement from Wide Bay MP and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss.
This week Mr Truss announced new internships for Australian-trained international medical graduates who will be a “welcome addition to the Noosa region”.
The new interns will supplement the local health services during their training at the Noosa Ramsay Hospital and will be funded through the Australian Government’s 2015 Commonwealth Internship (CMI) initiative.
“As well as providing valuable professional experience, these internships will showcase the attractiveness of the Noosa lifestyle,” Mr Truss said.
“Noosa is a great local community and I am sure this experience will create a favourable impression that will encourage these trainee medical professionals to return, once they achieve their qualifications.”
This cohort of interns will be part of 81 Australian-trained international medical graduates who will commence internships this year in hospitals and regional communities throughout Australia.
“Many regional and rural communities throughout Australia rely on doctors from overseas to support their local health care needs,” Mr Truss said.
“While some interns will be based in capital cities, all graduates will undertake one or more rotations to practise in a regional or rural setting.”
The Australian Government has committed $40 million over four years from 2013 to 2014 to support the placement of up to 100 additional medical interns each year through the CMI initiative.
Mr Truss said participants in the CMI initiative are required to complete a 48 week return of service period in a regional, rural or remote location.
“We know that some interns from last year’s CMI placement have gone on to continue their careers in regional areas after completing their return of service period, which is a great outcome for those communities and doctors,” Mr Truss said.
“The Government will continue to work to improve health care services in regional communities such as Noosa and is committed to getting doctors to areas where they are most needed.”