Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the NSW Rural Generalist Medical Training Program will provide trainees with advanced skills in a range of health disciplines in areas such as Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Orange, Dubbo, Bathurst, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and Grafton.

“The NSW Government is committed to doing what it can to build a strong, long-term medical workforce in the bush so people can be cared for closer to home,” Mr Hazzard said.

“These new scholarships complement initiatives already underway to attract junior doctors to the bush, such as dedicated pathways for medical graduates wanting to work in rural areas and supported training programs.”

The NSW Government is funding a record 8300 frontline doctors, nurses and allied health positions across NSW over this term, with nearly half of those positions going to rural and regional areas.

The program, managed by the Health Education and Training Institute (HETI), provides trainees with advanced skills in areas such as anaesthetics, obstetrics, mental health, palliative care, emergency medicine and paediatrics.

HETI’s Chief Executive, Adjunct Professor Annette Solman, said HETI’s Rural Generalist Medical Training Program plays a key role in developing a medical workforce with advanced skills to service the people who call rural and regional NSW home.

“We are pleased to announce this initiative to further encourage and support trainees to embark on fulfilling rural careers with exposure to a wide, varied and interesting range of clinical practice,” Adjunct Professor Solman said.

“The program works in close partnership with Local Health Districts and rural health services, who provide the training and support for the advanced skills trainees,” she said.