Queensland Health has added 795 new junior doctors to its frontline, taking up their roles in January.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Yvette D’Ath said the State’s newest medical interns has chosen to launch their careers at a perfectly ideal time.
“They have worked extremely hard to get to this stage of their career and I congratulate them on their achievement,” Ms D’Ath said.
“These junior doctors represent the next generation of frontline health workers and I’m grateful they are joining our health system at a time when COVID-19 is placing immense pressure on our hospitals and workforce,” she said.
Ms D’Ath said the pandemic had shone a light on the importance of health care workers.
“It’s a challenging but rewarding job and I have no doubt our newest recruits will thrive under the guidance of our respected clinicians,” she said.
The Minister said the junior doctors would complete rotations through three core areas — medicine, surgery and emergency medicine — plus elective terms in other specialised areas.
Ms D’Ath said the intake included 56 Queensland Rural General Interns.
“It’s wonderful to see so many interns showing an interest in rural and remote health care,” she said.
“The Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway provides targeted training and development so interns can become a Rural Generalist or pursue other areas of medicine.”
Ms D’Ath said the State’s health workforce would be bolstered further in February with the next intake of graduate nurses.
