A health collaboration between the University of Canberra (UC) and the Australian National University (ANU) saw two clinical training facilities in Cooma and Bega open today.
As part of the South East NSW Health Collaborative project, the facilities will be used for research and training in nursing, midwifery, allied health and medicine and enable further health accessibility for the regional areas.
Professor Michelle Lincoln, Executive Dean of UC’s Faculty of Health, said she was pleased to see the facilities open, along with accommodation for students training.
“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.
“There are chronic shortages of all types of health and professionals in regional and rural areas. Supporting students to live and learn in regional areas will assist in addressing these shortages.
“Students who have a positive learning experience and are able to experience first-hand the benefits of rural living are more likely to seek employment in regional and rural areas.”
The student accommodation features new, modern facilities to stay in while training, encouraging further collaboration between the city and regional areas.
ANU College of Health and Medicine Dean, Professor Russell Gruen said the university is proud to be involved in the collaboration, which also partners with the Southern NSW Local Health District, NSW Health and Canberra Health Services.
“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 they deserve,” he said.
“As the nation’s university, we are committed that distance should not be a barrier to accessing good services.”
Both facilities opened on Friday 13 November, with Cooma opening its doors at 9.30am and Bega at 2pm.
