Health

A strong health sector is the backbone of vibrant regional communities. Health is the largest employer in the Toowoomba region, also providing services to surrounding regions, west to the NT border and down into northern NSW. Toowoomba  is home to three major hospitals, with another under construction, extensive allied health, training providers, aged care and support services. 

Real Regional Stories

WORKING IN regional Health

A nurse is holding a newborn baby in a hospital hallway.
A large hospital building with a lot of windows and a car parked in front of it.
A man and a woman are standing next to each other in a hospital room.

Midwife Sarah Akehurst says taking a job at St Vincent’s Private Hospital and moving her family to Toowoomba in early 2024 was the best decision she’s ever made, allowing her to fast track her career while improving her lifestyle. 


“For healthcare work, you have to have work-life balance,” Akehurst says. 


“There’s something about the feel here - when you’re not at work, the environment is so relaxing. 


“I wouldn’t be disappointed if I never went back to the Gold Coast ever again, this is where we want to be. 


“There is so much opportunity here, every department in the hospital is looking for staff and everyone is so supportive.” 


Akehurst says the smaller hospital environment is excellent for career progression because it’s easier to make relationships with senior staff and there are more opportunities to take on new challenges. 


Akehurst is training to become a lactation consultant; something she says wouldn’t have been possible if she was still working on the Gold Coast. 


“As a whole the team is so amazing and as a midwife I have learnt more in these last six weeks working up here than I have in two or more years on the Gold Coast because you do work to your full scope of practice which is something I find very rewarding,” she says. 


“I would say it would be the best move you’ve ever made because not only does it allow you to flourish as a healthcare worker, but your life is actually enriched here as well.


“You get the most out of your job, but when you’re not at work there’s so much here for you as well, especially for families. 


“We just love it. Every Saturday morning we go down to the Cobb and Co markets and the kids run around, the food is amazing, the coffee is amazing, the live music is amazing. 


“There’s just something about Toowoomba.”