Fed: Foreign medical students recruited for public hospitals

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Fed: Foreign medical students recruited for public hospitals

Foreign medical students will be allowed to work as interns in public hospitals ina federal government bid to ease the pressure on the hospital system.

Under the new scheme, students who have trained in Australia will be granted temporaryvisas for up to two years, allowing them to work as hospital interns and register as medicalpractitioners.

Health Minister KAY PATTERSON says about 50 overseas students are expected to takeup the offer next year, joining 1,270 local students who will graduate from medical schools.

The number of internships available will be reassessed every year to keep pace withneed, but Australian students will get first pick of places.

Immigration Minister PHILIP RUDDOCK says allowing foreign medical students to stayon once they've finished their studies will boost the medical workforce.

AAP RTV kmh/smb

KEYWORD: DOCTORS (CANBERRA)