April 18, 2022
LOCUM DOCTOR IN DUBBO
Our locum doctors in Dubbo kindly share with you their experience.
Wow, what a place! I must say Dubbo Base Hospital did not immediately rate as one of my favourites. But, there certainly is some excitement and potential here.
Dubbo has a reasonably new director in their ED. He is switched on, motivated and has a very loyal following. Therefore, I am sure some great things are to come from this regional hospital.
Settled in easily, staff are welcoming, the majority are local permanent/part-time staff with some seconded medical officers. They know the system well and help new locums. Great referral culture, FACEMs are supportive too.
WHAT IS THE TEAM LIKE?
Wow, what a place! I must say Dubbo Base Hospital did not immediately rate as one of my favourites. But, there certainly is some excitement and potential here.
Dubbo has a reasonably new director in their ED. He is switched on, motivated and has a very loyal following. Therefore, I am sure some great things are to come from this regional hospital.
Settled in easily, staff are welcoming, the majority are local permanent/part-time staff with some seconded medical officers. They know the system well and help new locums. Great referral culture, FACEMs are supportive too.
TELL US ABOUT THE SETUP OF THE HOSPITAL AND SUPPORT FOR A LOCUM DOCTOR IN DUBBO?
Dubbo ED (Emergency Department) is situated in a brand new, purpose-built facility. The department is shiny, new and spacious. It certainly chases away the gloominess of old hospital buildings.
The hospital suffers from a fair amount of access block, which slows the process somewhat. But, this is becoming a new standard across the country and is certainly not confined to Dubbo.
The medicine was reasonably good; the case complexity is high. It seems the area suffers from low health literacy, low socioeconomic status and drug use. I saw a lot of patients in their 40’s
and 50’s with drug related issues, that at times contributed to a certain sense of sadness and hopelessness. 24-hour on-site support from Medicine, ICU, Paediatrics.
24-on-call support from General Surgery, Anaesthetics, Orthopaedics, O/G.
On-site FACEM 8am to Midnight, with on-call locally (can be on-site in 10-minutes).
24-hour pathology, 24-hour on-call radiology with XRay, Ultrasound, CT and MRI.
Subspecilties include ENT, Urology, Cardiology, Renal, Rheumatology, Respiratory, Oncology, Haematology.
WHAT DOES THE TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION LOOK LIKE FOR A LOCUM DOCTOR IN DUBBO?
Flights are straightforward from Sydney
The accommodation is a purpose built lodge on-site where everyone gets a little one bedroom unit with their own bathroom and lounge, and a shared laundry. This is excellent for arriving at work and arriving home after an evening shift.
ANY LOCAL’S INSIDE INFORMATION TO SHARE? BEST SWIMMING SPOTS? LOOKOUTS? BIKE OR WALK TRAILS?
Visit Dubbo zoo as well.
Day-trips to Warrumbungles, Mudgee, or Orange are also possible if you have a car.
TOWN AMENITIES? SHOPS, COFFEE TIPS FOR A LOCUM DOCTOR IN DUBBO?
The surrounding town did not have a whole heap to offer . There are two or three nice cafes for coffee and breakfast including CSC (how cute is the pottery!), and a few good dining spots.
WOULD YOU GO BACK TO DUBBO AS A LOCUM DOCTOR?
Friendly team, great morale, hard-working, easy referral culture, supportive local seniors
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