250 new doctors will fill vacancies across the NT health system

Hundreds of new doctors will fill vacancies across the NT as international skilled workers return to Australia. Read where they will be working.

An injection of fresh-faced doctors will boost the Territory’s health workforce as international skilled workers return to Australia.

After a difficult few years more than 250 doctors will join Territory hospitals, with 130 promised for Royal Darwin Hospital and a further 70 for Alice Springs.

The remainder will be spread across Katherine Hospital, Gove District Hospital and Tennant Creek Hospital.

Third year registered medical officer Dr Julian Pecora said practising in the NT provided a unique experience.

“I think that practising in the Territory gives you a really hands-on, clinical experience,” he said.

“You obviously get to practice with an under-served population, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, especially the former of which who mainly reside here.“

Dr Pecora said the “magical” Territory environment made it a “charming place to work”.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the new doctors would relieve some of the pressures on Territory hospitals and emergency departments.

Rare moment of emotion from Chief Minister Natasha Fyles after almost four weeks of questions on Alice Springs response. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Ms Fyles conceded that Alice Springs had experienced some recruitment issues for doctors and nurses.

“Alcohol is a factor that impacts our health system right across the Northern Territory, and we work hard to put in place policies that address that,” she said.

“Absolutely, what has taken place over a period of time certainly would have an impression on people but we’re working hard to change that.”