The aim of their respective programs is to familiarise them with GP and hospital care in regional and rural settings.
Dr Steel will stay in Deniliquin for one year under her program, while Dr Armstrong will spend 10 weeks as a junior medical officer to both learn and assist senior practitioners with their work.
As a University of NSW graduate who grew up in the southern NSW coastal town of Berry, Dr Armstrong studied in Griffith and Wagga before graduating. He is in the fourth week of his 10 week JMO program.
‘‘It’s been amazing so far — everyone has been unbelievably welcoming.’’
As a junior doctor, he regularly rotates across the Murrumbidgee Local Health District region, including stints at Cootamundra and Gundagai.
He said Deniliquin has offered him an incredible training ground.
‘‘It’s amazing the resources in Deniliquin — the ED, scanners and other resources are something you wouldn’t find in some other regional hospitals,’’ he said.
‘‘And the GPs are so skilled and generous with their time.’’
Both young doctors are being trained by Deniliquin Clinic’s senior practitioners, including training and experience in palliative care, obstetrics, and general patient care among much more to come.
Deniliquin Clinic practice manager Sarah Campbell said its doctors were very happy with the program, and hope it will demonstrate the viability of Deniliquin as a training ground.
‘‘They (senior practitioners) have a reduced workload with trainee doctors on board, and a love of training, and we will almost definitely continue with this program,’’ she said.
‘‘We’re also less likely to lose health services in the area if we are seen as an essential part of training the next generation of health professionals.’’
With previous work experience at hospitals in Griffith, Wagga Wagga, and Leeton, Sydney-raised Dr Steel is on track to fulfil a goal of working as a regional general practitioner.
She finished her medical degree at university in Ballarat, after which she spent three years in Wagga.
She has rotated through a plethora of hospitals in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District footprint, gaining varied experience the whole way.
Last week was Dr Steel’s first in Deniliquin, and her first meeting with supervising doctor Marion Magee was a little out of the ordinary.
‘‘My car’s fuel gauge is pretty unreliable and unfortunately I ran out of fuel just 4km out of town.
‘‘I called Dr Magee and 10 minutes later she showed up with a jerry can. So I got a personal escort all the way into town!
‘‘What I like about working here is the varied work we do and the continuity of care.
‘‘It’s really nice to get to know your patients and to see them down the street. It’s that ability to do more in smaller places and to see how you contribute to your community.’’
Dr Steel’s time in Deniliquin comes as part of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine’s new program, placing doctors in regional locations for one year, setting them up with a place to live and other essentials to help them make the most of their time there.
Dr Steel is participating in the first ever round of this program, and is halfway through the four years required.
She hopes to specialise in emergency as well as obstetrics and gynaecology, and in fact delivered a baby at the Deni Hospital on her first day.
She will also go on to train in obstetrics at the Wagga Health Service once her year in Deniliquin is finished.
On Dr Steel’s departure next year, Deniliquin Clinic will host another program participant for a year.
