For the first time, seven students will be based at the Rural Clinical School in Bega under the guidance of newly appointed local academic coordinator Erika Jaensch.

“Thirteen years ago the Bega Rural Clinical School started with two students and during the last three years we’ve taught six students each year so we’re thrilled to see the numbers increase,” Dr Jaensch said.

The students are in their third year of a medical degree.

They will spend the entire academic year in the Bega Valley as part of an elective Rural Stream Program, which aims to provide students with a whole year, positive rural experience to foster interest and commitment to a rural medical career.

Students will spend the year rotating through Bega Valley Medical Practice, Sapphire Coast Medical Practice, Sapphire Clinic and Canning Street Surgery as well as local hospitals.

Local GPs teach and mentor the students as they learn about health care in rural Australia.

Students will also be assigned to both local and visiting medical specialists.

Other ANU medical students not part of the Rural Stream must spend six weeks in a rural location as part of their third year studies and this year medical practices in Eden, Pambula and Merimbula will host students on short term placements.

Dr Jaensch succeeds Dr Mark Oakley who retired at the end of 2016.

She said since its inception 49 students have been through the Rural Stream program in Bega.

“Many of those students have returned to the Bega Valley at some time to either continue their medical training or to practice medicine,” Dr Jaensch said.