Welcome to the Wimmera

Twelve interns and eight graduate nurses have started their medical careers with the Wimmera Health Care Group.

Director of Medical Services Professor Alan Wolff said the young doctors were employed by the Royal Melbourne Hospital and would spend 10 weeks at the Wimmera Base Hospital.

‘The 12-month intern program is very important and being in a range of medical locations during that time helps broaden their skills,’ Professor Wolff said.

Intern Anneliese Willems said she was eager to use the skills she had acquired during six years of study.

‘It is so exciting to think we will now actually be able to start putting what we have learnt into practice,’ Dr Willems said.

‘And I am from a country town myself so I am looking forward to getting to know the community while I am here.’

The Wimmera Health Care Group will take on five lots of interns this year.

Wimmera Health Care Group graduate nursing program co‑ordinator Bernie Taylor said eight graduate nurses would spend the next 12 months at the hospital.

She said another two would start in May.

‘These nurses are the next generation and they need to get a good grounding,’ Mrs Taylor said.

‘We are really excited to offer them that start in their careers.’