Junior doctor shown the ropes at Seymour Health

By Billie Davern

Jun 3, 2025

Dr Foluso ‘Tim’ Oni (centre) was welcomed by Seymour Health chief executive Ward Steet (left) and Seymour Health director of medical services Dr Dean Pritchard as the first junior doctor in the Rural Hospitalist program. Photo by Contributed

Seymour Health has warmly welcomed its first junior doctor as part of the Rural Hospitalist program.

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On Monday, May 5, Dr Foluso “Tim” Oni began in the hospital’s Acute Ward and Urgent Care Centre.

Dr Tim said his time at Seymour Health had been positive.

“So far so good, it has been a great experience,” he said.

“The working environment is positive and staff are friendly and supportive.

“I get to see patients requiring urgent medical attention and those with chronic illnesses whose symptoms are due to a combination of biopsychosocial issues.

“Also, Seymour Health provided accommodation, which is just a two-minute walk to the centre.”

The Hume Rural Hospitalist pilot program places an on-site junior doctor at Seymour Health during business hours from Monday to Friday.

Dr Tim’s placement at the hospital has been delivered in partnership with Northeast Health in Wangaratta, and acts as an aid for the general practitioners on site in providing care for urgent care presentations and patients who have been admitted to the Acute Ward.

Seymour Health director of medical services Dr Dean Pritchard said the initiative benefited both the junior doctor and the hospital.

“The Rural Hospitalist program is a pilot initiative that aims to give junior doctors the chance to experience rural practice while enhancing access to medical services at their local rural health service,” Dr Pritchard said.

“The program will rotate a junior doctor to Seymour Health every three months to support the care given to admitted and urgent care patients at Seymour Health.

“Seymour Health offers a rich experience for junior doctors, who will learn to assess and manage emergency and acute medical issues in a rural health setting.”

Dr Pritchard said Dr Tim would deliver on-site medical care to hospital patients during his rostered shifts at Seymour Health, and would work alongside experienced general practitioners to support acute, subacute and palliative care.

Seymour Health hopes to establish on-site services around the clock to provide responsive and reliable health care to the Seymour community, and this program is its first step towards that vision.