School of Rural Health student Amy Malligan will complete her entire 4-year Doctor of Medicine degree in Dubbo.

Amy Malligan has recently started her journey to becoming a doctor, studying the University of Sydney’s Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree at the School of Rural Health in Dubbo. Amy will complete the entire four-year postgraduate degree in Dubbo with clinical training centered on Dubbo Hospital.

Amy studied an undergraduate degree in science in Sydney, unsure of what to do when she finished school. After living in Sydney for her degree she moved back home to Bathurst for her final year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

It was a friend’s medical emergency and spending time in the hospital that inspired Amy to pursue a career in medicine. She began working in Bathurst Hospital as a Patient Experience Officer while applying to study medicine at rural clinical schools.

“My brother had a great experience studying medicine at a rural clinical school and training in a rural hospital, so I knew that I wanted that experience too. When I found out I could study the entire Doctor of Medicine in Dubbo, I knew that was where I wanted to be. I love living in the country and I love that I’m still so close to family in Bathurst,” she says.

Amy is part of the second cohort of students now studying the University of Sydney’s entire four-year Doctor of Medicine program in Dubbo. Students in Dubbo study the same world-class medical education as in Sydney, while gaining hands-on experience in rural and remote medical practice. 

The Dubbo Stream is only available to students eligible for Commonwealth Supported Places and pathways are available for First Nations students and those with rural backgrounds.

The School of Rural Health in Dubbo features state-of-the-art medical education facilities including learning studios, anatomy teaching lab, and six-suite simulation training centre.

For information visit sydney.edu.au/medicine-health/dubbo

Regional patients will be able to access specialist follow-up care closer to home with a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government announcing more than $7 million to establish virtual consultation spaces in every Multipurpose Service (MPS) across the State.

You shouldn’t have to drive hundreds of kilometres for a follow-up specialist appointment if you can have it face–to-face but via video in your local community.

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said setting up virtual consultation spaces in the MPS meant support was available for patients, both to assist with navigating the technology and to help them plan for further treatments.

“This is about providing choice to our rural and regional patients who may not want to travel outside their community and don’t have access to the necessary technology at home or feel at ease using Telehealth on their own,” Mrs Taylor said.

Mrs Taylor said the hubs will help our smaller health facilities access enhanced medical coverage and support staff through remote monitoring, specialist advice where needed, 24/7 General Practitioner care, and better access to patient records.

“Our rural virtual hubs will be based in regional locations and staffed with regionally-based clinicians who will bring with them a wealth of knowledge,” Mrs Taylor said.

“There is no one quick fix solution to Australia’s medical workforce shortage, but by building rural hubs with clinicians who live and breathe regional health care, we’re adding another layer of support in our rural and regional communities.

Suzie Hill is currently a first-year student in the University of Sydney’s Doctor of Medicine program, which is on offer in Dubbo.

Becoming a doctor was never a lifelong dream for Suzie Hill, but with two children who are now adults and have left home, she began looking at the next stage of her life.

Suzie is currently a first-year student in the University of Sydney’s Doctor of Medicine program in Dubbo. She will complete the entire four-year postgraduate degree at the School of Rural Health in Dubbo with clinical training centered on Dubbo Hospital.

Suzie had previously been practicing as a Radiographer for over 15 years. Like many rural residents, she is acutely aware of the impact the shortage of doctors has on our communities. She has been inspired by the care and support her son received by a specialist and the efforts he went to in bringing treatment closer to home as well as some gentle encouragement from Radiologists she has worked with over the years.

“Being able to study in Dubbo has been a huge attraction in maintaining my family life. I love that I’ll be learning in a smaller cohort and the opportunity to develop relationships with teaching and clinical staff that, hopefully I’ll be working with one day as a doctor.”

Suzie is part of the second cohort of students now studying the University of Sydney’s entire four-year Doctor of Medicine program in Dubbo. Students in Dubbo study the same world-class medical education as their peers in Sydney, while gaining hands-on experience in rural and remote medical practice. 

The Dubbo Stream is only available to students eligible for Commonwealth Supported Places and pathways are available for First Nations students and those with rural backgrounds.

The School of Rural Health in Dubbo features state-of-the-art medical education facilities including learning studios, anatomy teaching lab, and six-suite simulation training centre.

For more information visit sydney.edu.au/medicine-health/dubbo

Beyond blue

Beyond Blue welcomes the Australian Government’s second Closing the Gap Implementation Plan, which injects $424 million into initiatives aimed at improving life outcomes for First Nations Peoples.

The plan, released on the 15th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations, invests in measures that many non-Indigenous people take for granted, such as access to safe drinking water, food security, housing and family violence support and education.

Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman said progress had been appallingly slow in closing the gap over the past 16 years, since the campaign began. “It’s unacceptable that today, in 2023, there remains a significant gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous rates of suicide, incarceration and child removal,” Ms Harman said.

“It’s time for Australia to learn from previous policy failures and work together with First Nations Peoples to address these shocking realities.”

“Beyond Blue is a proud member of the Close the Gap Campaign Alliance and is committed to walking together in friendship with First Nations communities and organisations to promote healing, unity and improved social and emotional wellbeing.

“The upcoming referendum on the Voice to Parliament is an important step in accepting the invitation extended to all of us in the Uluru Statement from the Heart,” Ms Harman said.

13YARN is a crisis support line for First Nations Peoples. Call 13 92 76 or go to 13yarn.org.au