NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner. Picture: LOUISE KENNERLEY
Health Minister Jillian Skinner will be in Wollongong today to welcome a record number of graduate nurses and midwives to the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
‘‘We have 100 new graduate nurses starting in the Illawarra this year – an increase of 11 from 2012,’’ Mrs Skinner said.
Of this year’s intake, 57 nurses will go to Wollongong Hospital including four midwifery graduates, three to Coledale, four to Bulli, three to Port Kembla, nine to Shellharbour, 15 to Shoalhaven District Hospital, one to David Berry Hospital and eight to mental health services.
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The first group of new nurses begin orientation at Wollongong Hospital this week, with others starting on March 18 and July 22.
Kiama MP Gareth Ward said the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District continued to expand its facilities, with Wollongong Hospital set to become one of the largest campuses in NSW.
About a quarter of the state’s graduate nurses and midwives have taken up jobs in rural and regional hospitals this year.
Mrs Skinner said more than 2000 graduate nurses and midwives were launching their careers in 112 hospitals across NSW this year.
