A fourth-year rural placement in the small outback town of Cloncurry was enough to ignite a passion for rural medicine in Dr Cameron Hoare and see him make a long-term commitment to return to the North West and work as a doctor.

Fast forward a few years and Dr Hoare is a pillar for healthcare in the community as the Medical Superintendent of the Cloncurry Hospital as well as the Principal and Owner of Ramsay Street General Practice.

“Cloncurry was a fantastic place to grow and learn as a student. My first placement was so rewarding I applied to come back in my sixth-year for a long-term placement of five months,” he said.

“The variety of medicine and the strong relationships formed working rurally means you are constantly challenged and never bored,” he said.

With a strong team and the support of a community, Dr Hoare says all medical students should take the step to work rurally at some point in their career.

“I completed my fellowship under the supervision of some incredible mentors who showed me that working rurally did not mean that you had to limit your skills and abilities.

“I strongly believe that rural doctors are made, not born and see an important part of my role as growing and developing that workforce.

“While working in a rural and remote area doesn’t have to be forever, you will find fantastic mentors and experiences out here that can really help you not only grow as a doctor, but also as a person.”

As the Medical Superintendent of Cloncurry Hospital, Dr Hoare provides direct clinical care, clinical oversight of the hospital and supervision and training of medical students and registrars. When he is not at the hospital, he is working at the Ramsay Street General Practice.

North West Hospital and Health Service (HHS) is grateful for Dr Hoare’s ongoing contributions to providing quality healthcare in the north west and his commitment to the Cloncurry community.