The Bogan shire could soon be welcoming medical, midwifery and nursing students to their Medical Centre as they explore every avenue to rebuild their local health workforce.

A report to Bogan Shire Council has recommended Council provide funding in their 2023/24 budget towards student work placements under the Bush Bursaries and Country Women’s Association Scholarships Program. 

With Bogan Shire Mayor Glen Neill and Bogan Shire Council spearheading a push for more nursing staff in rural areas to meet the needs of small communities this recommendation could not come at a more apt time.  

The 'temporary' bed closures that began at Nyngan Multipurpose Service in October 2022 have continued well into 2023, due to a persistent shortage of nursing staff in the town.

The report came off the back of a letter received by NSW Rural Doctors Network inviting the Nyngan Council to take part in the Program. 

NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) Bush Bursaries and Country Women's Association of NSW (CWA of NSW) Scholarships provide selected medical, midwifery and nursing students in NSW/ACT with $1,500 each to assist with costs associated with their studies.  

Recipients also spend two weeks on a rural placement in country NSW during their university holidays. The placement combines the enjoyable aspects of country life and rural medicine.  

The Bush Bursaries are funded by individual NSW rural Councils, scholarships are funded by the CWA of NSW and both are administered by the RDN. Placements are coordinated by the rural Councils.  

The two-week placements are usually undertaken in December or January but can be at different times of the year.  

Applicants are selected based on their interest in rural practice and lifestyle, grasp on the realities of rural medical practice and their motivation to undertake a rural placement. 

Depending on the outcome of Council’s annual estimates meeting, the council may fund up to four medical students per year at a cost of $6,000 per year (based on current Bush Bursary amounts) under the Bush Bursaries and Country Women’s Association Scholarships Program. 

ABOVE: Debb Wood Bogan Shire Council Director People and Community Services 



Debb Wood, Director People and Community Services at Bogan Shire Council is keen to get the funding underway. 

“In 2022, Council sponsored two students under the Bush Bursary program – a first year medical student and a second-year nursing student” 

“This program benefits not only the students who are looking to start a career in rural health, but also our community into the future,” Mrs. Wood told Western Plains App. 

“Having the students working alongside our GPs, nurses and allied health staff, the students can see firsthand the benefits of practising in the bush, the many professional and personal rewards it can have, and the positive difference they can make to the health of people living in smaller, rural and remote communities,” she said.  

Discussion amongst councillors focused on collaboration with Rural Doctors Network, rural Councils and Council-assigned community contacts to facilitate placement programs. 

Such matters as working with RDN and student’s appropriate times to undertake placement, linking with health care providers and services within the Shire and local community to engage in the Bush Bursary Program, organising accommodation locally for participants, and providing on ground support to students during their placement.  

Emphasis was placed on the role of the healthcare facilities and providers who share their knowledge, skills, attitudes and experiences with the students. The nurses and doctors involved will share clinical experience at an appropriate level of the student’s knowledge and competency, create opportunities for the students to interact with other health providers in the community, provide guidance and constructive comments and monitor progress while providing feedback to assist the student.  

Jenny Griffiths of Nyngan Health Services is positive about the Program for rural areas. 

“Local health service supports endeavours which promote rural bush experiences for health students,” she said. 

Chris Russell, NSW Rural Doctors Network, Future Workforce Manager wrote in his correspondence to council. “To create a skilled and sustainable health workforce across country NSW, it is vital to work with the next generation of practitioners to encourage them to choose a career in rural health.” 

“Our research shows that positive immersion experiences in rural health settings are known contributors to students choosing such careers,” he said.