While Katherine Hospital has trained many medical students throughout the years, it is the first time we have had interns. 

Acting executive director of medical services Siew-Lee Thoo said the two doctors will work on the medical ward and in the emergency department. 

“We are very excited to have them here,” Dr Thoo said. 

“The key to getting people to stay here long term is to get more junior doctors on rotation through here, then they are more likely to come back. 

“We hope they like the experience here and want to come back,” she said. 

Eleanor Hobbs and Sanjay Joseph said they are thrilled to begin their medical careers at Katherine Hospital and earn their stripes.

“I came here as a medical student two years ago,” Dr Joseph said.

“It is a familiar environment and it is nice to be back. You get much more of a hands on experience here, you are not just a glorified administration assistant.

“We are really well looked after and supervised, it is a really friendly environment and we can get involved in a lot of extra curricular activities,” he said.

“You hear a lot about bullying at hospitals down south but it is nothing like that here. It is a really supportive workplace.”

Eleanor Hobbs has come to Katherine straight out of medical school in South Australia.

“I did a placement here last year and absolutely loved it,” Dr Hobbs said. 

“I loved the medicine and the feel of the community. I have already been telling my friends back home to move up here.”

Consultant Richard Budd said he thinks junior doctors will love coming to Katherine. 

“The medicine is so interesting, and getting experience in Indigenous health is another added bonus,” Dr Budd said. 

“The training opportunities are really great here and there is a good mix of opportunities, you get to see things here that you don’t get to at other hospitals. 

“Having the interns here is a great chance to sell Katherine Hospital as a place to work and learn. Hopefully they consider coming back to Katherine later on as specialists,” he said.