Irish medic eyes smile on bush experience
Four Irish medical students have spent their summer holidays getting a taste of life and practice in the Australian bush.
Enya Moran, Aedin Hanahon, Laurann Rabbitt and Martin Mulligan are all heading into their final year of medicine at the National University of Ireland, Galway, on the country’s west coast.
The group spent three weeks working alongside doctors at Fiona Stanley Hospital before heading down to Narrogin.
They’ve spent the last two weeks based in Narrogin Health Service, and visited local community groups including Aboriginal health services and the Men’s Shed. All four have been impressed by both the quality of the health services in the region, and the warm welcome they’ve received from the town’s community.
“After spending time at Fiona Stanley I was expecting a downgrade coming to a rural centre, but the new hospital (in Narrogin) is brilliant,” Mr Mulligan said.
“Feel like we’ve been introduced to everyone from the cooks to the cleaner on a first-name basis.”
Their time here might just be a taste of their future, as a higher wage and Australian lifestyle entices many junior doctors out of their homeland.
“A lot of doctors come to Australia that qualify out of Ireland, for a year or two,” Mr Mulligan said.
“In Perth there were Irish accents all around the emergency department.”
The group will finish up their holiday work experience at the end of this week, spending another week travelling to Margaret River and Albany before they head home.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails