Wimmera Health Care Group provides training for new graduates in their first year of medicine, through a rotation agreement with the Royal Melbourne Hospital.  

Five groups of 13 interns rotate through Wimmera Base Hospital in Horsham each year for an average of three months each.

The health care group provides furnished accommodation for the interns close to the hospital, and an education program to continue their professional development while on rotation.

Medical workforce manager Deidre Rennick said these things and the additional outside-work experiences offered to the interns were vital in ensuring they enjoyed their time, and considered returning.

“It’s a big step from university to the reality of working in a busy public hospital as a doctor for the first time,” she said.

“Added to that, many interns are a long way from their friends and families, so rely on the support of their colleagues and hospital staff.

“The interns are encouraged to stay in town on their days off and have explored the region through activities such as horse riding, rock climbing, bush walking, golfing and eating out at local pubs and restaurants.

“The tourist centre has been very supportive by preparing activity packs that the interns get on their first day. We are working with them to further tailor the packs to the interns’ interests.”

Ms Rennick said other activities included an annual summer cricket match between the junior and senior doctors, and a tenpin bowling challenge planned for this year.

“Perhaps the most popular activity is the visit of the miniature horses Bentley, Orlando and Patchy to the hospital in the interns’ final week,” she said. 

“All the doctors get a big kick out of meeting the boys. 

“The tradition is to take photos outside the front of the hospital with the minis.”

Ms Rennick said the approach and the support of hospital staff and the wider community went a long way to encouraging doctors to return. 

“Already this year I have two doctors returning who were interns when I started 18 months ago,” she said.

“Another intern bought a block of land in Halls Gap after being welcomed into the running community and developing lifetime friends.

“We conduct exit interviews when the interns leave and almost all of them say they would return to the region if they had the opportunity. 

“Hopefully what we put in today will return doctors to our community in the future. It might not be immediately, but I believe they will come.”