The current shortage of veterinarians in regional areas of NSW is being targeted with a partnership between the University of Sydney, Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga and the Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA).
Many towns in regional Australia are finding it difficult to attract veterinarians, with many graduates deciding to work in a city practice rather than face the challenges of a mixed animal rural practice in country towns.
The State’s 14 Livestock Health and Pest Authorities have strengthened the relationship with the University of Sydney and CSU by allowing veterinary students from both universities to spend time with District Veterinarians from the LHPA in regional NSW.
This partnership will also improve the ability of veterinarians to diagnose and manage diseases of farm animals now and into the future.
Chairman of the LHPA State Management Council, David Lister, said the students see the practical hands on experience as extremely important in developing skills.
“The ability to make an accurate diagnosis on the basis of a post mortem examination is a key element of managing diseases and the internships give students opportunities to perform these.
“The internships provide students with practical experience on larger animals, which is something they can’t get in Sydney practices.
“We’ve already had some students from previous years who’ve returned to regional areas and we’d like to encourage more to do the same,” said Mr Lister.
The connection with the universities has also been of benefit to the local LHPA’s.
The two universities and the LHPA has developed a pathology training program.
This will not only improve the ability of the District Veterinarians to diagnose the cause of death but improves their ability to teach those skills to new veterinarians.
Mr Lister said the pathology training has been extremely valuable in lifting the skills level of veterinarians, which is extremely important in protecting the rural sector from an exotic disease outbreak.
“LHPA staff are the frontline people in managing any disease outbreak and we keep on top of the latest information and techniques to deal with any problems.
“The internships allow students to familiarise themselves with the LHPA system, which will be of great assistance in the case of an exotic disease outbreak in Australia,” said Mr Lister.
The Lachlan LHPA will be part of the scheme, with two students stationed at Young and two at Forbes.
The Senior District Veterinarian with the Lachlan LHPA, based at Young, Elizabeth Braddon, is pleased to be involved in the program.
“The first student intake is in late August and four students will be working with our veterinarians for three weeks at both Forbes and Young.
“The Lachlan LHPA is currently interviewing applicants for a veterinary position at the Condobolin office and after this person is appointed, another two students will be used in the program,” said Ms Braddon.
There are 30 students from CSU involved in this partnership program with the LHPA.
Karen Butts, Administrative Officer, Practical Placement Officer for veterinary students at CSU is pleased the LHPA is involved in the training program.
“Students have to do a number of three week practical work rotations at both Government and private veterinary practices over the next 12 months as part of their studies,” said Ms Butts.
This rotation requires a three week placement with a District Veterinarian in a NSW LHPA or Government veterinary workplace.
The rotation is designed to provide student with experience of the work of veterinarians in the public sector, who are responsible for developing and implementing state and national programs for animal disease surveillance, monitoring and control and therefore providing an essential component of Australia’s public health and biosecurity network. This work has very large significance to the country’s continuing access to its export markets for food products.
Nick Sangster, Professor of Veterinary Pathobiology and the Associate Head of School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences at CSU at Wagga fully supports this partnership.
“The student’s work with the LHPA will allow students to gain valuable practical knowledge and skills with veterinarians working in the public sector.
“In their course students have to also work with private veterinarians that run a mixed practice in towns with a population less than 30,000 people as part of their course.
“This on-site training in
country towns will help the aim of getting graduates to become veterinarians in rural and
regional areas,” said Professor Sangster.
Fifth year veterinary student Sean McGrath, is looking forward to the work placement phase of his course.
Once he graduates in 2010, Sean is hoping to secure a veterinary career in a rural community, which realises one of the major aims of the veterinary course at CSU Wagga - ensuring that rural communities will have access to veterinarians in the future.
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