WHEN young interns take up the opportunity to progress their medical training at Ipswich Hospital it provides them with a clear insight into what it would be like working for West Moreton Health.
In 2022 the local health service received a great vote of confidence when more than three-quarters of the intern intake applied to continue working locally.
Earlier this year a new batch of 35 young interns turned up for an introduction to Ipswich Hospital and to be assigned a department where they would be working for the first 10 weeks of their year-long stay.
Amongst them was 27 year-old Nikhil Arora who was sent off to geriatrics for his first term.
His internship has come after 10 years of dedicated study in both New Zealand and Australia.
A career as a doctor was almost ordained for him as his parents are both doctors and while they didn’t push him towards medicine it was in his words “almost expected.”
With just one month behind him at Ipswich Hospital he is still learning about life as a young intern on the floor, but he was keen to enthusiastically promote the opportunity he has been given.
“Before I came here I was told the culture was really good and once I got here it was even better than my expectations,” Nikhil said.
“They have been incredibly supportive and helpful, my team has been wonderful to be with.
“I have not regretted a single day here and I am actually more enthusiastic today than when I first started.”
At the end of five terms of 10 weeks in different departments each intern like Nikhil will have the opportunity to apply for roles with West Moreton Health.
“At this stage I’d have no issue with staying here because this hospital offers the pathways of where I want to be as a doctor,” he said.
The pressure of working on the Ipswich Hospital geriatric ward doesn’t bother the young intern at all.
“It’s hard work, but it’s not work you don’t want to do.” One month of a year extended stay mightn’t be all that long, but if the other 34 interns are as enthusiastic about their training as Nikhil is Ipswich Hospital is fortunate to have this group walking the wards.
