Shadow Minister for Health Leanne Castley has expressed concern at the reduction in ANU medical graduates electing to do their internships in the ACT hospital system.

Figures show that this year, ANU graduates represent only 53 per cent of CHS interns, down from 62 per cent in 2023 and 84 per cent in 2014.

Ms Castley said the 2024 intake comprises 51 graduates from ANU – 23 from overseas medical schools and 22 from other Australian medical schools.

“According to the AMA, previously the vast majority of ANU graduates stayed in Canberra for their internship – a natural fit after spending two years in the hospital system during their degree,” Ms Castley said.

“Keeping ANU medical graduates in the local hospital system and local health workforce is fundamental to easing pressure on the ACT hospital and healthcare system.

“Clearly whatever Canberra Health Services (CHS) is offering graduates is not enough to keep them from going elsewhere for their internships.

“There have also been ongoing issues with training accreditation for trainee doctors at the Canberra Hospital which in some cases has caused junior doctors to move interstate.

“It is also concerning that a number of graduates surveyed by the AMA said they were influenced by CHS’ bad reputation for workplace culture.”

In the 2023 Medical Training survey only 73 per cent of ACT trainee doctors said they would recommend their current workplace – the lowest result in the country.

Ms Castley said that another issue was the need for more long-term training opportunities for junior doctors, to allow them to advance in their preferred speciality.

“At the same time, some of the graduates choosing to stay in Canberra and do their internships with CHS said they had always intended to stay in Canberra.

“This suggests the ANU may also have to look at how many medical students originally from Canberra want to do their internships here and whether having a greater mix of local students would result in more doctors staying the ACT," Ms Castley concluded.