By Sally Lauder

In December 2023 Flinders University celebrated its first paramedicine graduates in the Northern Territory, leading a cohort of 20 aspiring paramedics seeking to qualify over the next two years and provide a welcome boost to frontline ambulance services across the Territory.

Flinders University Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling says the University’s leadership in offering the paramedicine course reflects its deep commitment to rural and remote health.

“For more than 25 years, Flinders has been a part of the Territory, delivering courses developed in the NT, for the NT,” Professor Stirling says.

“In partnership with communities, we’ve adapted and innovated to ensure our students have the opportunity to study in areas of demand. This is especially true of our paramedicine offering, which is proudly graduating NT’s first homegrown paramedics.

“We know that students who study in a rural setting are more than three times as likely to choose to work in rural areas. By graduating doctors, paramedics and health professionals in the Territory, we’re empowering people to make a difference in their communities and contribute to healthier lives.

“It’s why we’re determined to remain a national leader in producing rural health professionals who are exceptionally prepared for the challenges and rewards of rural and remote practice.”

Professor Robyn Aitken, Flinders University’s Dean of Rural and Remote Health, says the University’s healthcare graduates are not only skilled and knowledgeable, but are also trained specifically for an NT context with an emphasis on cultural safety. They are well-equipped to meet the diverse and complex health needs of the people in the Territory and beyond.

“I congratulate our inaugural cohort of paramedicine graduates in the NT, who will be providing much-needed support for local health services and who should be very proud of their achievements,” Professor Aitken says.

Storm Young (BParamedicine ’23) says the course was the first step in what she hopes will be a lifelong career in health.

“Growing up in a small rural town where volunteers, including my mum, played a vital role in community wellbeing instilled in me a deep respect and love for first responders. Paramedicine is exciting because it’s a dynamic and ever-evolving profession that’s vital for community health,” says Ms Young.

“The hands-on, practical components of my studies have been particularly exciting. Clinical placements have been invaluable in bridging the gap between theory and real-world application. These experiences have allowed me to put into practice what I’ve learned in the classroom, further enhancing my skills and confidence.”