New medical program welcomes first students

Australia’s newest medical program is preparing to welcome its first students next month, with the program designed to boost locally trained doctors in the Northern Territory.
 
A cohort of 42 students, including two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, will begin their studies in the new Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) Menzies Medical Program on 9 February.
 
The program received 1900 applications this year alone, and, by 2030, aims to have 200 domestic medical students studying on campus.
 
The students will be taught in the new Centre for Better Health Futures, accessing a simulated emergency department, a 12-bed hospital ward, and preclinical and clinical simulation environments, as well as travelling to rural and remote areas.
 
Jobe Bonney will be one of the first students to study a Bachelor of Clinical Science Medicine/Doctor of Medicine at CDU.
 
As a proud Kaurareg and Gunggari man born and raised in Nhulunbuy, Mr Bonney described the opportunity to study in the Territory as ‘invaluable’. 
 
‘I am keen to study medicine at CDU because my support network is here, which includes my family, friends and mentors, and they will help guide and support me as I become a doctor that understands the needs of the NT,’ he said. 
 
‘The Territory is where my heart is, I value the lifestyle and the people. The medical work here, especially the remote work, is extremely interesting and rewarding.  
 
‘I believe I can make the greatest difference right here in the Territory.’


L–R: Solomon MP Luke Gosling, medical student Saleena Chandok, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, medical student Jobe Bonney, and Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy. (Image: CDU)

The new medical program aims to bolster the future of the health workforce in the Northern Territory specifically and address a maldistribution of doctors working in regional and remote areas.
 
CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman said the demand from prospective students demonstrates the need for a medical program in the NT. 
 
‘The Territory’s health landscape is unique, so it’s important we look to our own backyard to grow our doctors instead of interstate,’ he said. 
 
‘We’re a university for the Territory, and ensuring this place has a strong workforce pipeline in the health field is a fantastic initiative. 
 
‘Watching our first cohort of medical students embark on their academic journeys is an exciting milestone not just for the university, but for the community as well.’
 
Last year, the RACGP partnered in presenting the inaugural NT Rural and Remote Medicine Conference in Darwin, focusing on creating a sustainable local workforce by meeting the needs of existing doctors, and attracting more registrars and GPs.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who visited the training facility on Tuesday, said the program will more than double the number of permanent medical students in the NT.
 
‘The new places will help train and retain more doctors to provide healthcare in the Top End to meet the needs of the growing community,’ he said.
 
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Charles Darwin University GP workforce medical students