UC opens Canberra's newest health clinic
Graham Robinson
13 May 2008: The University of Canberra has opened a new state-of-the-art health clinic.
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Faculty of Health Clinic Open 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday T: 02 6201 5843 |
It will give the public access to the expertise of University of Canberra allied health staff who are also leading practitioners in their fields.
The new clinic will give the University's allied health students the opportunity to do their clinical placements on campus, using the latest facilities.
"There is nothing like this in Canberra," clinic manager Kate Pumpa said.
"We offer treatment in psychology, nutrition and dietetics, physiotherapy and exercise physiology all under one roof which is unique.
"Our equipment is brand new and state-of-the-art and our treatment is informed by the latest research."
Ms Pumpa, a University of Canberra lecturer and practicing exercise physiologist, said practitioners who moved their businesses to the centre would benefit from being able to cross-refer their patients to experts in other disciplines.
The facility would also give general practitioners in Canberra a new option when referring their patients for additional treatment, she said.
It will be a condition of operating out of the clinic that practitioners take students on clinical placements giving students increased opportunities to gain workplace experience.
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UC staff demonstrating the Pilates exercise machine in the new Faculty of Health Clinic |
University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stephen Parker congratulated all involved in the development of the health clinic adding the clinic had three missions,to promote outreach to the community-to provide an interdisciplinary approach-to promote excellence in teaching, learning and research.
ACT Health provided a grant of 10 million dollars for the development and refurbishment of the University of Canberra, Faculty of Health Clinic. ACT Health Chief Executive, Mark Cormack officially opened the Health Clinic on Thursday May 8
“This type of innovative clinical service model is the way of the future for healthcare in the ACT, and Australia."
“It offers truly multidisciplinary care for clients and interprofessional learning and development opportunities for the health professionals.
“The single biggest burden of illness and pressure for the public health system is poorly managed chronic disease. The UC Clinic, and hopefully others like it in the future, will put a brake on this demand, and encourage self management by clients.
"There are enormous workforce development and training opportunities that arise from the UC Clinic model. The health system will need more of these innovative workforce approaches if it is to cope with the current and future shortages of skilled professionals.
"ACT Health looks forward to building on our partnership with UC to promote good health in the ACT region, to develop our health workforce and identify opportunities for collaborative research," he said.
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ACT Health Chief Executive Mark Cormack, officially opening the new Faculty of Health Clinic
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Services available at the University of Canberra, Faculty of Health Clinic include:
Exercise Physiology
All exercise physiologists are accredited with the Australian Association for Exercise and Sports Science. They can assist you with:
- Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Chronic Disease management
- Weight Management
- Pilates
- Sports Performance Screening
Nutrition / Dietetics
All dieticians are accredited practicing dieticians with the Dieticians Association of Australian. They can assist you with:
- Clinical and sports nutrition
- Weight management
- Aged care and disabilities
- Eating Disorders
- Chronic disease management
Physiotherapy
All physiotherapists are registered with the NSW and ACT Physiotherapists registration board and members of the Australian Physiotherapy Association. They can assist you with:
- Musculoskeletal: sports, spinal & peripheral, work injuries
- Cardio-Respiratory: sleep apnoea treatment, sleep health and lifestyle programmes
- Rehabilitation: neurological, surgical and recovery, orthopaedic and cardiothoracic.
Psychology
The following Psychological Services are provided within the Clinic:
- Adult, adolescent and child assessments
- Psychological therapy for adults, adolescents and children for a range of issues (including school problems, relationship issues, depression and anxiety)
There are also a number of group programs run by the University of Canberra's Psychology Department including:
- Cool Kids
- Positive bodies
Soft Tissue Therapy
All soft tissue therapists are experience, registered practitioners. Our soft tissue therapists can assess, treat and management soft tissue injury, pain and dysfunction. Treatment may comprise of:
- Deep tissue massage
- Trigger point therapy
- Myofascial release
- Friction
- Sports massage
- Stretching
The Faculty of Health Clinic is located in building 12, room B 40 and is available to staff, students and the public.
Opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm.
Phone 6201 2883 or 6201 5483 or email the clinic for an appointment.
