Staff Specialist at Redland Hospital, Dr Ciara Donnelly, is one of the growing number of UK-trained doctors making a significant impact in Queensland's public healthcare sector.
Since starting at Redland in August 2012, Ciara has transitioned from a fresh-faced Senior House Officer to a seasoned Emergency Medicine Consultant.
"What really drew me to Queensland, and Redland Hospital, was not just the professional role models, but also the fantastic lifestyle - beautiful outdoors and exceptional work-life balance," Dr Donnelly said.
"When I arrived here and started working in the ED in August 2012 (having never worked in ED before), I really started to enjoy my job.
"I felt supported, appreciated and valued by patients and colleagues alike. I also loved the variety and the large number of people I was helping every day.
"After a bit of soul searching and a lot of conversations with my family and colleagues, I ultimately decided to pursue a career in emergency medicine in Australia.
"Redland ED supported me through my early years of training and primary exams before I moved on to rotate through a few Brisbane hospitals to complete my training and fellowship exams.
"I was motivated and inspired by the emergency doctors around me, they seemed so knowledgeable and passionate that I started to see them as role models for the kind of doctor I wanted to be."
Ciara's journey from the UK to Australia reflects a common path among young British doctors seeking broader experiences and professional growth.
"Moving countries was challenging, but the support from the HR team at Redland made it a smooth transition," she said.
"Starting in emergency medicine here really sparked a joy in my job that I hadn’t felt before. The hospital culture is genuinely supportive and sociable and it’s such a nurturing place for both personal and professional growth.
"In Australia we get to spend more time with our patients and do more procedures compared to the UK, where the job is much more about patient flow.
"There is a much greater emphasis on work-life balance in Australia as well."
You can give to support healthcare at the Redland Hospital by making Redland Hosptial Fund your mplace to give here.
