The University of Canberra (UC) and Australian National University (ANU) have joined forces to establish new medical training facilities in nearby cities Cooma and Bega to enhance regional health services.
Part of the South East NSW Health Collaborative Project, the joint initiative plans to increase training capability and research in nursing, midwifery, allied health and medicine as well as making important inroads into accessibility to healthcare in regional areas.
According to the universities, it also offers potential for collaboration and professional development between the health service staff and the universities.
Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health at UC, Professor Michelle Lincoln said the facilities would provide invaluable opportunities for students and professionals to immerse themselves in a rural healthcare setting with facilities including simulated learning spaces outfitted with state-of-the-art communications infrastructure as well as seminar spaces.
“We are really excited to be opening these fabulous facilities,” Professor Lincoln said.
“They will allow UC to extend our reach for student recruitment, university course delivery and support of our health, disability and aged care colleagues into regional NSW.”
She said the facilities would provide space for students to work when they are on placement in Southern NSW as well as for staff to work on education and research activities.
“UC nursing, midwifery and allied health students will learn with ANU medical students about working in interprofessional teams and person-centred care,” Professor Lincoln said.
“We will also be able to bring local high school students into the facilities so they can experience what careers in health might be like and hopefully be inspired to study health courses.”
She said the University of Canberra was also opening student accommodation in Cooma and Bega, to allow students to stay in new, self-contained facilities while learning about the delivery of health, disability and aged care services in a regional area.
Dean of the ANU College of Health and Medicine, Professor Russell Gruen, said the ANU was proud to partner with UC, the Southern Local Health District, NSW Health, Canberra Health Services and health professionals in Cooma and Bega to improve health services for the region.
“This partnership, and these new facilities, provide unique opportunities to train future doctors and nurses together, breaking down the barriers between the professions, and between the city and the bush, to ensure the people in Southern NSW receive the high quality healthcare that they deserve,” Professor Gruen said.
“We are committed that distance should not be a barrier to accessing good services.”
