Eyre and Far North LHN Internship

Port Lincoln Hospital is the largest hospital in the Eyre and Far North and provides a base for medical services within the region. With 48 beds, it provides a range of services inclusive of Emergency, obstetrics/maternity, surgical, general medicine, renal dialysis, chemotherapy, pharmacy, dental and Allied health. Community health services additionally operate from the hospital under the banner of Community Health Connect, providing an extensive range of services for the community.

The Medical Education Unit is based at the Hospital and offers a state-of-the-art simulation facility for training and education.

Associated Practices

• Boston Bay Family Health
• Lincoln Medical Centre
• Investigator Clinic
• Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service

Cummins District and Memorial Hospital

The Cummins Hospital comprises 11 inpatient beds in addition to 8 aged care beds. Services provided include emergency, general medicine, surgical care, day surgery, palliative care, and outpatients. Community and Allied Health Services are additionally based on the hospital grounds. The Miroma Place Hostel is separate from the hospital but conveniently located next door and provides a homelike setting for people with low levels of care.

Ceduna Hospital

The Ceduna Hospital is a smaller rural hospital with 15 acute inpatient beds, two dialysis chairs and 38 high- and low-level aged care beds. The Residential aged care service is provided within the hospital at the Kuhlmann Wing and Ceduna Senior Citizens village. Located adjacent to the GP family practice, the hospital works collaboratively to provide their patients with the best quality care. Services provided include emergency, surgical, general medicine, obstetrics, renal dialysis, diagnostic radiology and outpatients.

The Ceduna region additionally offers an ideal training environment for individuals interested in Aboriginal Health, where Aboriginal people comprise 24% of the total population in the community.

Trainee Medical Officers in the Eyre Far North will be able to obtain a wide range of clinical experience in general practice, emergency, medical inpatients, anaesthetics, obstetrics, and Aboriginal Health while working in the region. Part of their learning will include weekly tutorials covering a range of essential medical skills and knowledge.

In addition to term rotations, trainees will have access to a state-of-the-art simulation facility including SimMan 3G Plus and SimNewbie. The high-fidelity simulation equipment allows the practicing of skills in neonatal care and advanced life support in a life-like but less threatening space. Multidisciplinary sessions are facilitated throughout the year to simulate the Emergency Department environment.

Furthermore, EFNLHN and FUNLHN collaborate four times annually for joint simulation sessions, allowing for networking and team building.

Each term rotation is supervised by a carefully selected term supervisor, responsible for the orientation and training of the trainee. Supervisors provide continual feedback throughout the rotation and complete mid and end-of-term formative assessments as required. During rotations, trainees work with a range of clinicians, locums, and consultants providing additional support, supervision, and teaching.

The Medical Education Unit based in the Port Lincoln Hospital will additionally provide support throughout the training year. Comprising of the Director of Clinical Training, Medical Education Officer, and Medical Administration Officer, the unit will facilitate orientation, accommodation, career guidance, counselling, and simulation bookings during the training year.

Furthermore, SA health Employees are provided access to the Employee Assistance Program as a source of confidential counselling and support.

The Eyre Far North Local Health Network has accredited terms for Trainee Medical Officers in:

Port Lincoln Hospital

• Emergency
• Medical Inpatients
• General Surgery
• General Practice and Obstetrics (Boston Bay Family Health and Lincoln Medical Centre)
• General Practice and Anaesthetics (Boston Bay Family Health)
• Rural Generalism – General Practice, Emergency and Aged Care (Investigator Clinic)
• Aboriginal Health (Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service)

Ceduna Hospital

• Rural Generalism

Cummins Hospital and Lower Eyre Family Practice

• General Practice and Emergency

TMOs are rostered to predominantly 5-day rosters with occasional weekend work dependent on rotations. Overtime is strictly limited to ensure an appropriate work/life balance while rostering remains flexible. Throughout rotations, opportunities may arise out of hours, and TMOs are expected to discuss changes in work schedules with their allocated term supervisor.

The Eyre Far North is a beautiful part of the world offering breathtaking coastlines, pristine beaches, and a friendly local community. The region is renowned for seafood and surfing and is home to the infamous shark cage diving.

With award-winning restaurants, and the ability to experience the food journey from product to plate (or sea to plate, as it may be), it’s a great place to eat and relax. It’s also a good place to take a tour – snorkel with sea lions? Tuna? swim with dolphins, swim, paddleboard, fish, or hike. Visit the koalas, and kangaroos or take a 4WD tour through the Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay National Parks. Activity and offerings are abundant within the region to make you fall in love with the region.

Port Lincoln has a strong sporting culture, with multiple ovals, sporting clubs, indoor swimming, and recreation centres. Furthermore, Port Lincoln was ranked as the most welcoming town in South Australia in 2023.