Metro medicos inspired by rural visit
hospital for pre-school children find in metropolitan areas, for which proved extremely popular. example, frequent hearing tests A GROUP of senior medical students Hear Our Heart media officer for kids at school to monitor their from the University of New Virginia Redenbach hopes the ears,” Mr Foong said.
South Wales have had a taste medical students feel inspired to “In areas like Wellington, it’s a of what it’s like working on the return to the region to practice surprise that such practices are frontline in the bush. once they’ve finished studying. only just in the process of being
As part of an annual trip organised “It was absolutely brilliant having implemented and as such, the by the Medical Outreacher them here in the Central West instances of conditions like otitis Program, 25 passionate doctorsto-be to experience what we do and I media (middle ear infection), volunteered to spend time hope we have planted the seed which can impair a child’s learning visiting and assisting the region’s and one day we end up with some and their ability to develop social local health services, giving the of them back here,” she said. skills and focus in class, are students first-hand experience “I did also hear along the grapevine more prevalent.” with working in a regional centre. that one of the students is As well as working with Hear
Last week, the medical students now very interested in audiology, Our Heart, the students also spent teamed up with local charity, so that’s very, very rewarding.” time at the Royal Flying Doctor Hear Our Heart, which was Third year medical student and Service base and the Dubbo Base conducting free, targeted hearing organiser of the Medical Outreacher Hospital to learn more about the tests for children at Wellington Program, Dom Foong, medical profession in a rural and schools. said being on the ground in Wellington remote context.
The students not only observed gave he and his fellow Mr Foong has no doubt the trip the work of the Hear Our Heart medical students an insight into to the Central West has encouraged staff, but also spoke directly to the shortfall of basic health services many of his fellow students primary and high school students in rural areas. to return to region in the future. about hearing loss prevention and “It feels like there’s a lack of “One of the aspects of the trip awareness. some of the common screening that we try to emphasise is the opportunities
THE SICKEST
They also ran a Teddy Bear practices that you would usually in a rural setting and Support local shops during our trips to Dubbo Base Hospital, we talk to one of the interns or residents about their experience in a regional area and what drew them to it,” he said.
“During these hospital visits, usually what happens is a lot of students who have an inkling to go to a regional hospital feel inspired to come back, especially for their first or second years out of medical school.”
The Medical Outreacher Program, which was founded in 2015, is student-run and entirely volunteer based, meaning the medical students funded their own trip to the Central West.
Their aim is to cultivate the passion of medical students, not only in the practice of medicine, but also through humanitarian actions. COUNCIL has given a “thumbs down” to a feasibility study for a music bowl and associated structures within Sir Roden Cutler Park but will, however, investigate and consider alternative locations within close proximity of the CBD for a music bowl precinct to attract large music and cultural events.
Meanwhile, Binjang Radio in Wellington has been offered $15,000 from Council to relocate before September 30, 2019.
The radio station has been instructed to vacate the Wellington Visitor Centre where it has enjoyed $1 per year rents.
The Wellington Visitor Centre will also vacate the building and move to the Dubbo Regional Council administration building.
The empty building will be converted into a Wiradjuri Experience Centre.