The shortage of doctors in regional Austral­ia has been something that has impacted most, if not all of us. Evolution has proudly partnered with Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Rural Medicine to provide a space for a training program with the aim of helping address the shortage.

CSU’s Rural Doctors Program trains and develops medical students who want to re­main living and working in regional areas.

Unfortunately, until now, there has not been a facility to run this program in Parkes.

Northparkes will provide the space for this program, which will have 11 Central West medical students based out of the fa­cility from the day it opens.

Local GP Kerrie Stewart said we have a pipeline of some of the best students in Australia, who we know want to stay local.

“They were raised here and have families here. This space is the opportunity we have been waiting for,” she said.

The program will provide more access to medical services through clinician lead clinics with student involvement for things like health checks, childhood vaccinations, and more.

The building will be a shared space and contain the Northparkes Town Office, a purpose-built training facility and the CSU Rural Doctors Program.

Four of the eleven students who are local to Parkes and Forbes have indicated they will stay in the area once they have com­pleted their studies.

Fourth year student Antez Vargese said “I wanted to do medicine straight after high school but I went and did radiography for a year first, and when I found out about this program, it was close to home, my friends, my community, it just made sense.

The students will each complete five years of medical school and then go on to be an intern and then a resident before de­ciding what to specialise in.

Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM has sin­cerely thanked the Minns State Govern­ment, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and State Mem­ber Phil Donato MP for their ongoing sup­port to have the $20.2 million Forbes Hos­pital Operating Theatre Redevelopment included in the 2025/26 State Budget.

Mayor Miller has warmly welcomed the budget announcement, saying: “This is a significant investment in healthcare for our region and marks a significant milestone that will enhance the medical facilities and services available to residents of Forbes and the surrounding region.

“The new hospital theatre will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and designed to meet the highest stand­ards of modern medical care. It will sig­nificantly expand the hospital’s capacity to perform a wide range of surgical proce­dures, reducing wait times and improving patient outcomes,” Mayor Miller added.

A new operating suite for Forbes District Hospital will mean we can continue to of­fer minor day surgeries, ENT, other speci­alities, as well as obstetrics as the primary birthing unit in the Lachlan Health District.

“A new operating suite will help reduce the demand in Orange, Dubbo, Bathurst and other hospitals in the region, as Forbes District Hospital often assists with overflow cases from the Base Hospitals,” Mayor Miller said.

Forbes Shire Council has a long history of supporting NSW Health to improve ac­cessibility to health services. The Council has developed several initiatives, including housing, to address barriers to long-term sustainable health services for our com­munity.

The Forbes District Hospital has always been dedicated to delivering comprehen­sive healthcare services to the Forbes community with a focus on patient-centred care. The hospital strives to meet the evolv­ing needs of its patients through continu­ous improvement and innovation. Demand for surgery at Forbes has grown from 621 cases in 2022/23 to 771 cases in 2023/24.

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) welcomes the release of the Second Edition National Consensus Framework for Rural Maternity Services, which reaffirms the criti­cal role of Rural Generalists in delivering safe, high-quality mater­nity care across rural, remote communities.

ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says Rural Generalists are uniquely trained to provide comprehensive maternity care, in­cluding antenatal and postnatal services, planned deliveries, and emergency obstetrics.

“Rural Generalists are vital members and leaders of multidiscipli­nary rural maternity teams, working alongside midwives and other health professionals to ensure women can receive care within their communities,” Dr Martin says. “This not only improves outcomes but reduces the emotional and financial strain of travelling long distances for birthing and pre and antenatal care.”

Dr Martin says the ongoing closure and downgrading of rural maternity services is deeply concerning. “Every closure reduces access to affordable, timely care and puts the safety of mothers and babies at risk. Properly supported, integrated models that in­clude Rural Generalists with advanced obstetrics, anaesthetics, and paediatrics skills, can sustainably deliver care to the highest standards.

“The Framework offers a roadmap for evidence-based, cost-ef­fective locally led maternity care and calls for genuine investment and infrastructure to bring it to life. I commend all those who con­tributed to the development of this Second Edition National Con­sensus Framework for Rural Maternity Services.

“ACRRM looks forward to working with the review stakeholders and governments to ensure the Framework leads to real, lasting improvements for rural, remote and First Nations families.”