Training More Doctors for Bundaberg and Hervey Bay
Belinda McNeven,Nicola Roxon
posted Monday, 9 August 2010
The National Health and Hospital Network takes another step forward today with the Gillard Labor Government committing to the construction of teaching and learning centres for Australia’s future doctors at Bundaberg and Hervey Bay Hospitals.
The new facilities will assist with the delivery of a multi-disciplinary training program for medical students to train alongside nursing and allied health students as members of a health team.
It will feature lecture, tutorial and administration rooms, as well as simulated clinical spaces such as consulting rooms, a mock hospital ward and procedural training spaces.
The Gillard Labor Government knows that providing quality clinical training in regional areas like Bundaberg and Hervey Bay means that more doctors are likely to stay in the region, providing vital health services.
“There is substantial evidence that students who train in rural and regional communities often return to boost the medical workforce once qualified,” Belinda McNeven said.
The facilities will also be used by local doctors and health professionals to undertake skill maintenance and professional development activities.
Professor Peter Baker from the University of Queensland said, “The Rural Clinical School works closely with Queensland Health, local GPs and specialists to offer unique, patient centred learning experiences to students who undertake their clinical training in this area.”
“This collaborative initiative will consolidate and expand the area’s clinical teaching capacity and contribute to the sustainability of the future medical workforce.”
This investment builds on Federal Labor’s commitments to double the number of GP training places and provide $191 million for 150 projects that increase training opportunities for medical, nursing and allied health students around the country.
Nicola Roxon said only a Gillard Labor Government would build better hospitals, and provide more doctors and more nurses for Australian families.
“Tony Abbott would take us backwards on health - scrapping improvements for elective surgery, emergency departments, GP Super Clinics and the after hours GP helpline,” Nicola Roxon said.
“And after his announcement last week, we now know that investments like the new Emergency Department at the Bundaberg Base Hospital would be on Tony Abbott’s hit list for cuts.”
The Gillard Labor Government will provide $1.5m for construction of the two facilities. A further $1.9m will be provided from the University of Queensland and Queensland Health.
Funding for these announcements is already included in the Budget.
Tags: Belinda, Bundaberg, McNeven, Nicola, Roxon