Medical intern off to a flying start

THE first medical intern to join the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Cairns says he is driven by a passion for providing healthcare to the Far North’s rural and remote communities.

James Cook University medical graduate Dr Daryl Goh is one of 51 junior doctors who this week started their medical career with the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service.

Dr Goh said he was very excited to be flying in and out of far-flung towns with the RFDS to treat patients.

“It provides me with the opportunity to go to all these nice remote towns where healthcare is really needed by the disadvantaged population of our society,” he said.

“Being about to go out there is, I guess, one of the reasons I decided to become a doctor.”

The junior doctor program, introduced at CHHHS 21 years ago, has been regarded as a success.

A majority of interns have decided to stay on after their initial 12 months.