In the case of anaesthetist Paul Nicholas, it was the attraction of a good work environment and the city being a nice place in which to live.

And his wife, Kate, has also been able to secure a job in her field, as well.

Dr Nicholas has been appointed a visiting medical officer at Calvary Hospital, while Mrs Nicholas is the new nurse unit manager in Calvary's St Gerard's maternity wing.

Having practised in Queensland, Dr Nicholas got a taste of Wagga when he worked in the city as a locum last June.

"I liked the anaesthetists, the surgeons and the patients we serve, and Wagga is a place I liked and wanted to move to," Dr Nicholas said.

"Basically, Wagga was a good working environment in which you would want to make your home."

Dr Nicholas moved to Wagga full-time in January.

Mrs Nicholas came to Calvary as a midwife and took up the position of nurse unit manager about two weeks ago.

She said she felt the welcome she had received at Calvary was the warmest she had received.

"It has a real supportive atmosphere; it has been easy to settle in."

Dr and Mrs Nicholas are the latest new faces in a growing medical population in Wagga as facilities start to improve.

The $282 million base hospital redevelopment is under way, the $12 million Riverina Day Surgery was officially opened this week and groundwork has started on a new palliative care unit in the grounds of Calvary Hospital.

The doctor and nursing shortages of a decade ago are not yet over, but the situation is much improved, according to Calvary Riverina's manager of medical specialist recruitment, Joy Ross.

"I have noted a change over the past couple of years," she said.

"While we are aware of the challenges, we have been quite successful in meeting them."

For example, seven medical students from the Notre Dame medical school in Wagga are working as interns at the base hospital.

Mrs Ross said employment for their partner was always important to medical professionals.

Another new senior appointment at Calvary is Robin Haberecht.

Having held executive director roles in health in the Albury-Wodonga region, she has been appointed Calvary Riverina's director of clinical services.