Northern Tasmania's health sector is getting some new recruits, with 44 graduate nurses set to join the ranks at the Launceston General Hospital and 12 new general practitioners to undergo training in the region.
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The 12 new GPs will undergo specialist training through GP Training Tasmania under supervision for the next three years in Scottsdale, George Town, Longford and Latrobe.
Doctor Jerome Muir Wilson, who has welcomed a number of registrars through his Launceston practice, said it was exciting to see new doctors coming to the state's north.
"I'd like to think I've got a few years left as a GP, but it's great to know that there is another generation of GPs on the way," he said.
"While many of the GPs we train are born and raised here, we are also a destination of choice for GPs from outside of Tasmania. We find that many GPs who come to Tasmania for training, stay in Tasmania, which is fantastic. In fact, three quarters of all the GPs we train end up living and working in Tasmania.
"We know that our health system has challenges, but one of the best ways to tackle the issues ahead of us is to make sure we have a steady flow of new GPs receiving world-class training right here in Tasmania and that's exactly what GPTT is doing."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Another addition to the health system will be 44 nurses, who will join the one year graduate program at the LGH as part of the Transition to Practice program.
Health Minister Sarah Courtney said the government had delivered an 80 per cent increase in the positions in the program.
"Importantly, this year there is an increased number of graduate nurses working within operating theatres, which will be a huge boost for Tasmania's training in this crucial area and help to secure our future workforce," she said.
"These graduate nursing positions are provided with additional support, tailored to suit the transition into their new role and help them develop their professional skills."
Nurses Abbie Searson and Olivia Balsley completed the program last year and both said it was vital for their transition from the University of Tasmania to the hospital.
Miss Searson spent her year in the emergency department.
"I wouldn't have been able to complete my year in emergency without that support," she said.
"I had support for the entire 12 months that I was there."
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Isobel Cootes
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
