When the CQUniversity Allied Health Clinic was
officially opened by Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek, she made a valid
point to the crowd that attended that students who gain professional experience
at facilities such as this will be more likely to seek out professional
placements in rural and remote communities going forward. And I for one
completely agree.
Even though this clinic is based in Rockhampton it
is already providing value to residents from across the entire Central
Queensland region, through the delivery of specialist and preventative health
care treatment, which aims to treat chronic and complex illnesses and keep
patients well and out of hospital. Despite only being open to patients since
August, already more than 2,000 people from several CQ communities have visited
and received treatment in the clinic.
The Minister opening the Clinic
Patients however, aren’t the only ones benefiting –
students are also gaining huge value from being placed within the clinic and
learning from health professionals who are leaders in the field. With the
clinic now providing up to 200 placements per year for students - from nine
universities – including CQUniversity, this will have an extraordinary impact and
flow on effect on the future of healthcare in our region.
It goes without saying that it is beyond difficult
to attract skilled professionals to regional areas, but through providing
students with a quality learning experience and a taste of the ‘real Australia’,
I really believe that they will be more likely to stay or relocate to our
region to commence practice in their chosen field after graduating. Demand for health
care is always increasing and by having this clinic in our backyard Central
Queensland is most certainly on the front foot for attracting and retaining the
professionals of the future.
As I’ve mentioned many times before, students who
study local are also more likely to stay local, and I am pleased to be a part
of a university that will deliver quality graduates to the region, who will
fill current and future skill shortages - not just in health care but other
industries as well. This focus is good for the community, good for the economy
and good for regional sustainability.
Consultation rooms inside the clinic
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