Hunter New England Local Health District has hired a round of new doctors for Armidale and Inverell hospitals, with 12 senior medical professionals appointed, though the district still has some way to go to address long term staff shortages in the region.
The new doctors bring experience across obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, emergency medicine, general surgery, general medicine and gastroenterology. Armidale Hospital has secured 10 permanent full time staff specialists, including eight international medical officers from the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and Canada, who are expected to arrive in the region in the coming months. Hunter New England Local Health District is supporting the clinicians through the recruitment and relocation process.
At Inverell Hospital, two local General Practitioner Visiting Medical Officers will soon start work in the emergency department, including Dr Anton Wright, who moved to Inverell from the Central Coast with his family in 2024.
“Working across the emergency department, inpatient care and primary care is continually stimulating and incredibly rewarding,” Dr Wright said.
“There is a genuine sense of gratitude from patients and their families, and the continuity of care you can provide in a regional setting is truly special.”
Dr Wright said the move had been worthwhile outside of work too.
“Outside of work, Inverell is a fantastic place to raise a young family,” he said.
“There’s a strong sense of community, great amenities, and the New England region offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventure and travel.”
Dr Githmi Hapugoda, one of the new specialists at Armidale Hospital, said the appointment had added a new chapter to a varied career.
“Having worked in Sri Lanka and the UK, I feel fortunate to add Armidale Hospital to my diverse experience as a physician,” Dr Hapugoda said.
“It has given me a wonderful opportunity to deliver specialist care in regional Australia, and I have found the breadth of medicine we practise here to be both challenging and rewarding.”
Dr Hapugoda said Armidale had also won her over as a place to live.
“I have also come to love Armidale as a place to live,” she said.
“It is a welcoming town with rich cultural diversity and a wide range of activities to enjoy, offering a great balance between work and personal life.”
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said the appointments were part of a broader push to attract more health workers to the regions.
“These new clinicians at Armidale and Inverell will improve access to critical services, ensuring people have access to care closer to home,” Minister Park said.
That push includes the NSW Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, which offers incentives of up to $20,000 for the hardest to fill positions in rural and regional NSW, a $200.1 million investment in health worker accommodation across regional and remote areas, and the Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway, which has helped 74 doctors train as rural generalists across the state. The existence of those schemes points to just how hard the district has found it to keep specialist positions filled in regional New England.
Tracey McCosker PSM, Chief Executive of Hunter New England Local Health District, said the appointments would strengthen services the community relies on.
“These appointments are great news for patients across the New England region, increasing access to specialist care closer to home and strengthening the services our communities rely on,” Ms McCosker said.
The NSW Government is currently advertising for VMO GPs in Tenterfield, Glen Innes, and Gunnedah, a pediatrician in Armidale, an obstetrician in Armidale, anesthetists in Armidale and Tamworth, a respiratory specialist, a cardiologist, and a Director of Medical Services for Tamworth. They’re also currently seeking Aboriginal Health Workers, a Sexual Assault Counsellor and Mental Health clinicians, speech pathologists, palliative care professionals, pharmacists, a Midwifery Manager, Midwifery Unit Manager and Midwives, and lots of nurses and support staff.
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