Location is proving no barrier for doctors looking to specialise in anaesthesia in the NT.

The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists through funding from the federal health department supports specialist registrar positions in regional centres.

The federal government initiative – Specialist Training Program – supports about 900 specialised positions each year with several places in anaesthetics supported at Royal Darwin Hospital.

Northern Territory Medical Program and interstate students can undertake placements within the department of anaesthetics, exposing them to the field. Fourth year students Ben Forsyth and Melissa Rosas were recently interviewed by ANZCA sharing their experiences of life in the Top End as well as their experiences of working in the NT healthcare system and the anaesthetics department. The video can be found here.

Thilini Pandithage and Hayley Kelly were also interviewed for a feature written about anaesthesia and life in the NT for the ANZCA Spring bulletin. It can be read here.

Flinders University’s Regional Training Hub (RTH) works to facilitate opportunities for medical graduates and other early career health professionals to access medical specialist and rural generalist training.

The intention of the RTH is to encourage clinicians to stay and upskill in the Territory to retain skilled health professionals in the region.

Flinders RTH program manager Eliza Gill said working with key stakeholders like the specialist colleges is integral in order to provide further training opportunities in the NT.

“It’s important that medical professionals who wished to be based in the Territory have the opportunity to upskill without having to relocate,” Ms Gill said.

“It’s about creating equal opportunities for medical staff and in turn helping to bridge the health gap in rural and remote areas.”

She said initiatives like the Specialist Training Program also ensured NTMP students – who are bonded to work in the NT for four years after graduation to fulfil their return of service obligations – also have the opportunity to further train while required to reside in the NT.

To find out more about how you can pursue a career in anaesthetics in the NT click here.