The hospital has recently received accreditation from the NSW Institute of Medicine, Education and Training for excellence in provision of pre-vocational education and training in accordance with standards required by the Institute.

Mr David Jeffery, the hospital’s integrated service manager, said it was an exciting achievement by everyone at the hospital.

“We have junior medical officers seconded from Canberra Hospital for three months stints to work in the medical and surgical floors,” he said.

“They come here in their fist post-graduate year to enhance and develop the skills needed in their chosen speciality.”

Mr Jeffrey said the doctors benefit from the diversity of medical problems they encountered in the Bega Valley.

“They are dealing with a wide range of issues here with a range of doctors,” he said.

“It is a much more diverse situation then they would have in a city hospital.”

Mr Jeffrey said many, if not all, the doctors wanted to come back again for their third or fourth year secondment and were quick to recommend the Bega hospital to other doctors as an ideal place to go.

Mr Jeffrey also commended the hospital’s director of clinical training, Dr Duncan Mackinnon, for his dedication to the supervision of the doctors.

“He has done and continues to do outstanding work with the doctors,” Mr Jeffrey said.

The accreditation certificate covers three years of the scheme.