Thirty three new intern doctors will join the Ipswich region’s hospitals this week.

Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard welcomed the interns, who will be hosted at the Ipswich Hospital.

“It’s wonderful to be welcoming these new intern doctors to our region,” said Ms Howard.

“These new intern doctors, along with graduate nurses who will join the team throughout the year, will have such an important role to play as they come at a time of a global pandemic.”

Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum said the new interns would enjoy rewarding careers caring for the Ipswich community.

“Our new medical interns have undertaken years of study and have worked incredibly hard to get to this point to be taking their next exciting steps in their career in the fastest growing healthcare region in Queensland,” said Mr McCallum.

Member for Jordan Charis Mullen said the interns would be a valuable asset for the community as the management of the global coronavirus health pandemic continued.

“As a community, we have faced huge challenges with COVID-19, demonstrating how essential it is to ensure our local health system remains strong,” said Ms Mullen.

Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden said it was an exciting time for healthcare in the Ipswich region as works continued on the master-planned Ipswich Health Precinct.

“Healthcare in the Ipswich region is undertaking a huge transformation, and these new medical interns are such an important part of ensuring our region continues to get the best care possible,” Mr Madden said

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said the Palaszczuk Government would continue to deliver a strong health response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

“A key part of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to ensuring that Queenslanders continue to receive the best healthcare possible is supporting an additional 9,475 frontline health workers over the next four years,” said Minister D’Ath.

“This includes an additional 5,800 nurses, 1,500 new doctors and an extra 475 paramedics.

“I offer my congratulations to the new intern doctors and wish them all the best as they embark on the next exciting step in their careers.”

West Moreton Health has welcomed the interns at the annual orientation week, ahead of their first rotations through hospital departments including general medicine, surgery, emergency medicine and elective specialised areas.

West Moreton Health’s Chief Medical Officer, Associate Professor Dr Deepak Doshi, congratulated the cohort on their appointments.

Almost 90 per cent of the 2020 cohort had chosen to continue their careers at Ipswich Hospital in 2021.

“Our high retention rate indicates the exceptional opportunity that West Moreton Health presents to our interns,” Dr Doshi said.

“Not only will they launch their career with us, they will get their grounding at a health service that prioritises person-centred care and constantly reminds staff that they are valued.”

Dr Hayman Lui, who began her internship last year, had some encouraging words for those starting their careers today.

“Whatever you aspire to in your career, the supervisors at Ipswich Hospital are supportive and will check in with you after every rotation to discuss your career, goals and preferences,” she said.

 “I chose Ipswich Hospital after hearing great things about the culture and opportunities from colleagues who had interned there.”

Dr Lui’s advice to this year’s interns was to remember that a positive mindset will shape their experience.

“You really have to have an open perspective, an open mind and be willing to be proactive in your learning,” she said.

Dr Lui said to keep patience and kindness front of mind during challenging times.

“Always seek out what can be learned from your rotations,” she said. “Build relationships and connections with your consultants and registrars, and learn from your colleagues, your teams, and the people in your care.”