WA's first rural orthopaedic training post opens in Bunbury

21/9/01
Bunbury will become the first regional centre in Western Australia to offer orthopaedic training under a new scheme that is expected to attract more specialist doctors to the country.
Health Minister Bob Kucera said today the new orthopaedic surgeon's training post in Bunbury was created with State Government funding of $40,000.
It brings the total number of orthopaedic surgery trainees in WA to five for 2002.
"This is the only rural training post for orthopaedic surgeons in WA," Mr Kucera said.
"Bunbury has the advantage of great facilities and the assistance of four professional orthopaedic surgeons to oversee the position.
"Ensuring that large rural centres such as Bunbury have access to health professionals is essential.
"We hope that by providing young registrars with the opportunity to live and work in the country, they will continue to practise in rural areas."
A population of 30,000 is required to maintain an orthopaedic surgeon position.
To run the trainee program, centres need to have a population greater than 50,000.
"Bunbury is the only regional centre with the program at this stage, because it has more than two senior surgeons to act as supervisors," Mr Kucera said.
The Perth-based Orthopaedic Surgeon Training Program runs for four years. Trainees will live in Bunbury on a rotational basis with the first expected to begin in January, 2002.
Media contact: Fran Robb 9213 7000