New doctors to help meet demand for health services

A record 280 domestic and international medical students graduating from Western Australian medical schools will be offered internships in WA's public hospitals next year.

Health Minister Kim Hames said the record number of graduates was more than a 20 per cent increase in internship numbers since 2009.

"The State Government guaranteed to provide internships for all domestic graduates of WA medical schools, and we continue to deliver on this commitment," Dr Hames said.

"Western Australia's health services are constantly expanding and the Government is working towards ensuring we have enough doctors to meet increasing patient demand.

"As well as providing more internships, we have also focused on improving training and supervision for our new doctors.

"An extra $12.5million was allocated in the 2011-12 State Budget for increased training and supervision, improved simulated learning support and medical education infrastructure in each hospital."

Funding has been allocated for interns' service, training and supervision at Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Fremantle hospitals and at WA Country Health Services, community clinics and private hospitals.

The Minister said 100 interns would be based at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital with placements also at Joondalup Health Campus, Swan Districts Hospital and Osborne Park Hospital.

100 interns will be appointed to Royal Perth Hospital, with placements at Bentley Hospital and Royal Perth's Hospital's Shenton Park Campus.

Fremantle Hospital will host 80 interns who will rotate through Armadale-Kelmscott Hospital, Rockingham General Hospital, Peel Health Campus and Kaleeya Hospital.

All interns will rotate through country health services, community clinics and private hospitals.

"It is crucial that our new doctors gain experience working across the full breadth of Western Australia's health services," Dr Hames said.

"Not only will this help open their eyes to a range of career opportunities but it will also give them the skills they need to deliver quality care to all West Australians."