21 August 2019
The South East NSW Health Collaborative project marked the start of the building of its clinical health training facilities today, with a groundbreaking ceremony at the South East Regional Hospital.
This comes a week after the groundbreaking ceremony of the clinical health training facilities in Cooma, with a ceremony for the Moruya facilities planned for the future.
All three facilities will provide training capability for learning and research in medicine, nursing, midwifery and allied health.
The joint venture between the University of Canberra (UC) and The Australian National University (ANU) has received over $8 million in federal funding for the clinical training facilities.
Executive Dean of the UC Faculty of Health Professor Michelle Lincoln said that the project is a significant investment in rural healthcare, addressing important issues of accessibility to healthcare in regional areas.
“These facilities will also create huge potential for collaboration, meaningful exchange and professional development, and help to grow the involvement of our UC Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health students in the hospital and broader Bega community,” Professor Lincoln said.
Associate Dean, Rural and Indigenous Health and Head, Rural Clinical School, ANU Medical School Associate Professor Malcolm Moore said that this was an exciting new phase of a long connection between ANU and the Bega Valley region.
“Healthcare in the future will require working in teams and this facility will assist in developing those skills and inter-professional relationships,” Associate Professor Moore said. “We look forward to playing an important role in the development of our future doctors and health professionals, and ensuring they understand the needs of our regional, rural and remote communities.”
The South East NSW Health Collaborative project will provide invaluable opportunities for students and professionals to immerse themselves in rural healthcare, with simulated learning spaces and communications infrastructure, and seminar spaces.
At the South East Regional Hospital, UC student accommodation will be built on the hospital grounds, alongside the clinical training facility, while ANU has off-site accommodation.
The South East NSW Health Collaborative facilities are expected to see completion in late March 2020.
WHAT: Groundbreaking ceremony of Bega facility of South East NSW Health Collaborative project
WHEN: 2pm sharp, Wednesday 21 August
WHO: Executive Dean of the UC Faculty of Health Professor Michelle Lincoln, and Associate Dean, Rural and Indigenous Health and Head, Rural Clinical School, ANU Medical School Associate Professor Malcolm Moore
WHERE: South East Regional Hospital, Corner Tathra Road & Virginia Drive, Bega
Contact the University of Canberra media team:
Suzanne Lazaroo, Communications Officer
0409 140 415 or suzanne.lazaroo@canberra.edu.au