Top Obstetrics Professor Teaching in Tamworth

Tuesday 22 March 2005

The right mix of clinical work and teaching in Tamworth has proved too good to pass up for Obstetrics Professor, Associate Professor Bipin Gupta.

A/Professor Gupta will conduct clinical services at Tamworth Base Hospital and teach Reproductive Medicine at the University Department of Rural Health (UDRH). The arrival of A/Professor Gupta has been a joint collaboration with the Hunter New England Area Health Service and the UDRH.

A/Professor Gupta has held senior academic appointments in Medical Schools in Fiji, India and the West Indies and said, "It is important to me that I am able to have the opportunity to continue teaching medical students because that is a part of my profession I really enjoy. The combination of clinical work and an academic role made the post in Tamworth very attractive."

Professor Peter Jones, Director of the UDRH at Tamworth Base Hospital, said he was thrilled to learn that the University of Newcastle was able to offer A/Professor Gupta an academic appointment. "We are very fortunate to have a medical educator of his experience based in Tamworth."

"One of the key objectives of the University of Newcastle's UDRH when it was established in Tamworth in 2002 was to increase the intellectual capital of rural and regional Australia. We are now realising those objectives."

"Recruiting specialists continues to be a challenge. Hunter New England Health is taking a proactive approach by working in partnership with the UDRH to help improve the medical workforce in Tamworth."

"The flow on effect is that medical students will look to rural and regional areas for their training. Already this year, the number of 4th year medical students undertaking their training in Reproductive Medicine at Tamworth has doubled," said Professor Jones.

Mr Al Quarterman, Business Manager Medical Administration, at Tamworth Base Hospital said, "The partnership between the Area Health Service and the University working together to help sustain and grow the medical workforce in Tamworth, will continue to be an important part of the future of medical services in the North West."

For interviews contact Professor Peter Jones on (02) 6767 8462, Mr Al Quarterman, regarding the medical workforce, on (02) 6767 7266 or A/Professor Bipin Gupta via Mr Al Quarterman.