Thanks to a state government funding boost, from next year general practitioners training as obstetricians, anaesthetists and emergency doctors will be able to find high-quality training at the local hospital.
‘‘We’ll have our first intake of doctors training here next year,’’ ERH chief executive Nick Bush said.
‘‘The hospital will train three doctors every year in advanced skills.’’
Although Mr Bush said the hospital was yet to determine the amount of funding the state government would provide, he said ERH’s establishment as a training centre could see more specialists stay in Echuca-Moama.
‘‘Evidence is pretty clear,’’ he said.
‘‘Doctors and other medical specialists who begin their training in rural hospitals are more likely to stay and practice in the region than if we just hired them from outside the hospital.’’
The establishment of ERH as a training centre coincides with a pledge from the Federal Government to invest $62.2 million over five years to begin the implementation of a National Rural Generalist Pathway.
This program will train specialised rural doctors to provide health services tailored to the needs of rural and remote communities, following the expert advice of Australia’s first National Rural Health Commissioner.
ERH is expected to share in the funding, with the Opposition also committing to the investment if elected.
Minister for Regional Services Bridget McKenzie said people living in rural and regional Australia deserve the same access to high-quality healthcare services as those living in capital cities.
“For too long, those Australians living in the regions have been forced to put up with less than adequate access to high quality services but this has changed under the Liberal and Nationals government,” Minister McKenzie said.
“Our commitment to improving health services in the regions is represented by our ground-breaking investment of $550 million for the Stronger Rural Health Strategy in the 2018-19 budget.
“This strategy will deliver 3000 additional doctors and more than 3000 additional nurses and allied health professionals in rural general practice over the next decade.
‘‘We know that there are enough doctors being trained in Australia, the challenge is to get them to work where they are needed.’’
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