Member for Ku-ring-gai, Alister Henskens SC, this morning welcomed the new medical graduates who will undertake a year-long internship at Hornsby Hospital in 2017.

“I’m so pleased these new doctors will undertake their internship at our local hospital. Every intern will benefit from the support and direction of our clinicians,” Mr Henskens said.

NSW funds more medical intern positions than any other state or territory. In 2017, 992 interns will start at hospitals around the state - up from 983 in 2016. This record number of intern doctors represents a funding commitment by the NSW Government of $107 million. The 2017 cohort of interns also includes 12 Aboriginal medical graduates.

During his meeting with the new interns at the Hospital today, Mr Henskens congratulated the doctors on their appointment and reflected both on the fact that they have an opportunity to make a valuable contribution to the community and that the practice of medicine is a continual learning experience.

“I wish all interns the best for what I am sure will be a very informative and exciting year,” Mr Henskens said.

NSW guarantees intern positions to all domestic medical graduates of NSW universities. As well, NSW provides internships to many graduates from interstate universities and, where possible, international full-fee paying medical graduates.

NSW is the only state to offer two-year employment contracts to graduates. This includes the one-year internship followed by a year which focusses on consolidating professional practice and experience in different clinical settings.

During their one-year internship, the graduates will complete compulsory terms in the specialties of medicine, surgery and emergency.