A regional, rural and remote deployment program for key health care roles has been slated for expansion, to plug critical gaps in the NSW Health system across the state.
The NSW Health Deployment Program was first established in May 2023 to create a pipeline of skilled health professionals for short-term roles, recruiting nurses, midwives and allied health professionals to be posted to short term placements across NSW
The short-term positions of between two and 13 weeks offer healthcare professionals the opportunity to travel and work in regional, rural and remote parts of NSW they may never have visited, with accommodation and travel costs covered.
The NSW Government is currently seeking healthcare workers from more than 20 professions including nurses, midwives and allied health professionals for a range of short-term positions in hospitals and health facilities across NSW, including in Cowra.
The program has seen 90 staff undertake hundreds of deployments across the state in priority roles such as nursing, midwifery, occupational therapy, podiatry, speech pathology and physiotherapy.
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NSW Health will now increase the team to around 400 to further strengthen its support to regional, rural and remote areas
Healthcare workers seeking a role with NSW Health, or current staff, are encouraged to register their interest via the NSW Health website.
Regional Health Minister Ryan Park said the expansion was a fantastic opportunity for health care staff and communities.
“Recruitment and retention of healthcare staff in rural, regional and remote hospitals is one of our biggest, if not the biggest issue we face,” he said.
“This innovative program is not only attracting health workers to regional, rural and remote communities but also strengthening these areas by maintaining essential health services.
Cowra Health Service is included in the program, with works on the new hospital set to be completed later this year.
“These deployments give health workers the chance to explore and immerse themselves in new communities, and pleasingly I’ve heard stories of many health professionals who have found the experience so rewarding they’ve chosen to stay, providing lasting benefits for patients, the community, and the health system,” Mr Park said.
NSW Health Deployment Program participant, Speech Pathologist Saffron Foy said she was nervous at first about moving far from home, but found herself quickly welcomed into a new community.
“I joined the NSW Health Deployment program because I wanted a bit of a change and I loved the experience of working in unique and supportive rural communities,” she said.
“I really recommend giving it a go and experiencing something new because it lets you experience a different lifestyle and allows you to improve and expand your skills.”
