Port Macquarie Hospital
Emergency Medicine Network 4
Why Port Macquarie Hospital?
Port Macquarie Base Hospital is the main referral centre for the mid-North Coast region of New South Wales. The hospital is the referral centre for two smaller district hospitals in Wauchope and Kempsey (also a linked 6 month accredited training site). Port Macquarie Base Hospital has a wide range of specialty services, covering most surgical subspecialties including maxillo-facial surgery. We also boast a 24-hour Cardiology on-call service and a new Cardiac Catheterisation lab. We have an active medical and radiation oncology service in the adjacent Cancer Centre and cover nearly all medical subspecialties, who also provide a 7 day a week general medical admission service. We are affiliated with the University of New South Wales rural clinical medical school, which is also located on the hospital campus.
Some facts about the hospital:
35,000 visit annual volume ED, 25% paeds and currently accredited for 12 months ED training. There are two ultrasound machines located in the ED with regular formal ultrasound teaching. We have all of the airway goodies you would expect to find in a metropolitan ED, 24-hour lab services and “no hassle” CT and MRI provision. We have a recently remodelled Emergency Department and you will work closely with specialists who are “hands-on”. Rotations can be arranged in ICU and Anaesthetics as well as Addiction Medicine and General Medicine. We are the regional trauma centre for the mid-North Coast with an active, progressive and engaged trauma service. Subject to criteria, a housing allowance for ACEM trainees rotating from within NSW training network 4 is available.
Some facts about the town:
Port Macquarie has a population of 75,000 (depending on the season). There is a frequent air service to Sydney (1-hour direct flight), with additional air service to Brisbane and Melbourne. It is located halfway between Sydney and Brisbane on the Pacific Highway - about a 4-hour drive from Sydney. There are three hospitals in town - Base Hospital (see above), Private Hospital (mostly rehab), and the Koala hospital (volunteer opportunities available).
Why Port Macquarie?
Long stretches of scenic beaches renowned for swimming and surfing. Mild winters, not-too-hot summers, often considered the best climate in Australia Beautiful scenery, good shopping, and nightlife down on the waterfront Boating and fishing opportunities along the Hastings River. Inexpensive town with a laid back and friendly attitude.
If you are an ACEM advanced or provisional trainee, contemplating training in emergency medicine, or simply want to gain more experience in the field, consider working at the Port Macquarie Base Hospital.