Broome

Broome is the southern gateway to the raw wilderness of the Kimberley. The town of Broome and the surrounding district has a resident population of 16,000 people, a number that triples in holiday season due to its picturesque sandy beaches and warm tropical weather.

The Broome RCSWA office was one of the original sites set up in 2002. It is located in the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS) offices, where students have most of their tutorials, and access to the library and internet.

Accommodation

In Broome there are two four-bedroom houses in Roebuck Estate and one six-bedroom house in Cable Beach. All houses are fully furnished, and students are provided with high-speed NBN internet access within each property.
Transport

Although Broome is a ‘flat’ town with bicycle paths throughout, it is strongly recommended that students bring their car for their whole-year stay. Cycling is difficult in the heat and during the cyclone season. A 4WD car is essential if you are planning to explore the Gibb River Road Region.
Health Services
Broome Hospital consists of a four-bed high dependency unit and 39 beds in the medical, surgical, and maternity units. There is a 10-bed paediatric unit and eight-bed in-patient mental health unit, along with a busy emergency department. The hospital has general surgical and gynaecology theatre lists; about 350 babies are delivered in the hospital each year.

Broome has resident general surgical, general physician, paediatric, psychiatry and gynaecology teams. All the specialists are keen on teaching, and tutorials are scheduled throughout the year. Other than the local specialists, a full range of specialists visit regularly while attending to other towns and communities throughout the Kimberley. Orthopaedics, ENT, dermatology, and cardiology visit Broome several times a year.

The Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (BRAMS) offers multi-disciplinary primary health care and the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS) provides a teaching campus for Aboriginal health workers and support for Aboriginal health services throughout the Kimberley.

Lions Outback Vision (LOV) Northwest Eye Hub provides specialist ophthalmologist and optometrist services for residents with cataracts, trachoma, and glaucoma, as well as those with low vision and permanent blindness. The team provides screening and management of diabetic retinopathy and outreach services to Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Kununurra, Wyndham and Warmun.

General Practices
There are three private GP practices in Broome that provide primary health care.

Community Services
- Community Drug Team and residential alcohol dependence treatment facility
- Kimberley Drug and Alcohol and Mental Health Services
- Regional Aged Care Assessment team and aged care facilities
- Broome is a regional centre for other government services, including Centrelink, Department for Communities, Department of Education and Training and WA Police.
Extra Activities
RCSWA Broome students have often been involved in footy, fishing, tutoring (privately and through some of the schools), with local community groups and much more during their RCSWA year.

Find out more about Broome and its wonderful community by visiting the following links:
- Broome Visitor Centre
- Yawuru Country

Staff Profiles

Lead Medical Coordinator, Broome
Des Taverner

Des finds practicing medicine in the country challenging and diverse, but considers it more than just a job - it is a lifestyle. She enjoys being part of the community and developing collaborative relationships with local health professionals to make a difference in her region. Des loves mentoring and teaching students and seeing them return to rural areas to grow their medical careers.

What I love about the RCSWA
I love being part of an organisation that also believes that in order to maintain our patients' health, we need to build and maintain a healthy and robust workforce.

medical coordinator, broome
Chevaun Howard

GP Obstetrician Chevaun works at Broome hospital and Aboriginal Medical Services delivering babies and antenatal care. She takes great joy from seeing her patients and RCSWA medical students across her diverse roles, and providing continuity of care.

What I love about the RCSWA
I love the collegiate aspect of our RCSWA team across the state and particularly within our Kimberley sites. I thoroughly enjoy teaching. The enthusiasm of our students reminds me of all the reasons I enjoy living and working in this region - 11 years here and I'd happily stay for 11 more.

Academic Services Assistant, Broome
Gina Hailes

Gina supports her colleague Candice in administering all things Broome - housing, functions, exams and any other admin support required. She joined the team in 2021 but is no stranger to the Kimberley, having lived in the region for more than 20 years as well as working in the health sector.

What I love about the RCSWA
I love the opportunities it provides our students and how it benefits our local community and regional health.