One hundred future doctors will be training in the Darling Downs and South West regions in Australia within three years - set to ramp up to 120 each year by 2026 - in a partnership between universities and health services.

The University of Queensland (UQ) and University of Southern Queensland (USQ), along with Darling Downs Health (DDH) and South West Hospital and Health Service (SWHHS), have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to create a continuous medical education pathway.

The program unveiled on 6 December will allow university students to complete all of their undergraduate and postgraduate studies and practical training in the region. 

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry AO said the partnership would open the door for future doctors and the health of regional communities.

The ‘Medical Pathway' concept is now seen as the future blueprint to improving health outcomes in regional, rural and remote Queensland, available for postgraduate students from 2024.