A report from PPB Advisory estimated The Murray Darling Medical School (MDMS), a joint proposal from Charles Sturt University (CSU) and La Trobe University, would pump close to $2 billion into regional economies while saving the government hundreds of millions in training.

The proposal is based on James Cook University’s highly-successful regional doctor training program and would see existing facilities in Wagga, Orange and Bendigo turn regional kids into regional doctors.

CSU’s Peter Fraser said the MDMS would be a far more effective way to get doctors for the Riverina.

“When people study in a regional area they’re more inclined to stay in a regional area so we want to ensure local kids can become local doctors,” Mr Fraser said.

“The report shows the MDMS would be three times more efficient in delivering doctors – we would conservatively retain half of our 180 graduates every year, metropolitan schools would need to produce more than 690 doctors to match it.”

Doctor Nick Stephenson from Riverina Imaging had long championed the idea of a Wagga-based medical school and said the report backed up a wealth of evidence that showed rural students were far more likely to stay in rural areas.

“Anything to support the development of a rural medical school with rural intake is a good thing,” Dr Stephenson said.

“There’s no doubt rural kids are smart enough to become doctors, many just haven’t had the opportunity yet.”