YOUNG DOCTORS SET TO START IN RECORD NUMBERS

Record numbers of graduate medical students will begin work as young doctors at Queensland public hospitals this month, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

“Queensland Health is providing a record 412 hospital internships in 2008 for young doctors entering the health system for the first time,” he said. (hospital breakdown see attached table)

“That’s 25 more clinical training positions than the 387 base establishment medical internships we provided in 2007.

“It also represents a significant increase on the 319 medical internships provided for 2006 prior to the start of the State Government’s $10 billion Health Action Plan.

“The 2008 intake of interns includes a number of Rural Generalist positions plus scholarship holders through the Queensland Health Rural Scholarship Scheme.

“This is good news for Queensland because all these particular new doctors will be working and undergoing clinical training at major public hospitals before going on to work in rural and remote hospitals.”

“Importantly, all our interns will all be training under the supervision of senior doctors. “

Mr Robertson said Queensland Health trains all young doctors entering the health system regardless whether they go on to work in public hospitals, as general practitioners, or elsewhere in the private sector.

“This year, 289 medical students who graduated from the University of Queensland in 2007 have accepted jobs with Queensland Health; as have 56 graduate medical students from James Cook University.

“In fact, 345 of the total 412 medical internship positions have been filled by Queensland medical graduates; with the rest from interstate and overseas universities.

“The State Government is committed to ensuring Queensland Health has the resources to meet the training needs of increasing numbers of medical students graduating from our universities.

“That’s why we’re investing an extra $145 million over four years to improve clinical training and education opportunities for our junior doctors and other clinical staff,” Mr Robertson said.

2008 Queensland Health Medical Internships by Hospital