Canberra, Thursday 8 November 2001

ANU medical school to start rural focus

The Australian National University's new medical school will shortly begin appointing rural medical practitioners to develop the curriculum and coordinate the teaching of students in SE NSW in centres such as Bateman's Bay, Goulburn and Bega.

The new medical school has a prime role of helping to get more doctors into the bush. It will develop regional and rural centres for teaching as funds became available.

The new school's rural focus has been further enhanced by an annual intake of 25 Rural Bonded Scholars committed to eventual rural practice.

One of the first tasks of the new Dean of the school, expected to be appointed shortly, will be to appoint these rural medical practitioners.

"Early, high quality rural exposure is important in attracting medical students to eventual rural practice," the Interim Dean, Dr Alex Bune, said today.

"For example, we anticipate that some students will spend up to a year of the four-year course learning in rural and community settings.

"It will be essential to provide support and teaching assistance for the doctors in practice in these regional settings."

Dr Bune said that the School would be encouraging entry of students from rural backgrounds.

The School will have its first intake in 2004 with the first graduates in 2007.

For more information contact: Jim Mahoney, Director, Marketing & Communications Division, 6125 2252 or 0416 249 231

90/2001

© 2000 Marketing & Communications Division,
The Australian National University.
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Last Modified Tue, July 16, 2002