Rural Clinical School of Western Australia brings 16 medical students to Geraldton hospitals, GPs and GRAMS

Sixteen doctors-to-be have put their hands up to experience living and working in Geraldton this year, gaining experience across the region and in different fields while potentially boosting regional intern numbers in the future.

The university graduates will start their 12-month medical placements in Geraldton, part of a record number taking part in the Rural Clinical School of WA’s rural placements program.

A total of 132 students, 112 in their second-last year, and 20 final-year students, have been posted to 15 different regional towns across WA this year, the biggest number of students in the program’s 20-year history.

This year, 12 penultimate year and four final-year students will kick-start their placement in Geraldton.

The program is a joint venture between the medical schools of UWA, the University of Notre Dame, and Curtin University.

Student representative Emily Wainwright said the students would rotate across Geraldton Regional Hospital, St John of God, GP clinics and the Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service during their 12-month placements.

Geraldton co-lead medical co-ordinator Dr Pippin Holmes said the school was proven to transform medical students’ intent to practice rurally.

“Some 50 per cent of RCSWA graduates do some form of rural placement as doctors and 25 per cent embark on long-term placements in rural locations of up to five years,” she said.

Geraldton RSCWA student Eleanor Andrew said she was excited to be in Geraldton and hoped to continue rural work throughout her career.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to know the Geraldton community, participating in sport, camping and enjoying the beach as well as working at the hospital and with GRAMS,” she said.

Ms Andrew said the students would be based in Geraldton but travel to regional towns including Carnarvon and Mount Magnet for regular visits.

“I really like Geraldton, I’m from Bunbury and I’d really like continue to do rural work. I’m looking forward to spending the whole year here. We’re really lucky to have the opportunity to be out in the community for a year rather than having a short placement,” she said.

RCSWA director Dr Andrew Kirke said program participants had been encouraged to sign up after hearing the positive experiences of previous students.

“The program has been consistently popular, growing over the last five years with its expansion to Curtin University and the addition of the final year placements,” he said.

“Students were asking to go back again after having a great time living in the country, and would talk to their mates about it who would then want to get on board as well.

“We show students all the great things about country life and medicine . . . from their point of view it’s exciting work, they recognise it’s challenging in the country but that attracts them.”