July 12, 2012
A $1.5 million extension to provide better facilities for medical students training in Bairnsdale will officially open next month.
The extension project has doubled the size of the Monash University School of Rural Health East Gippsland Regional Clinical School (EGRCS) which is based at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service (BRHS).
The works include the construction of a clinical skills simulation suite; 10 academic offices; four tutorial rooms; two research offices; and extra meeting space.
The BRHS library, Nursing Education Unit and current EGRCS clinical skills simulation suite will also be enlarged.
EGRCS Director Dr David Campbell has taken Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester on a tour of the new facilities which have been supported by the Victorian Department of Health.
Dr Campbell said the upgrades would significantly benefit students undertaking medical training at EGRCS.
“Each year EGRCS hosts up to 30 medical students spending the full academic year in the region,” Dr Campbell.
“These students immerse themselves in the local community, often joining local sporting clubs, and community groups, as well as securing part-time employment.
“The extension has enabled us to continue our support for health education programs across the East Gippsland region, including intern orientation; practice nurse education support; graduate nursing education; and support for Ambulance Victoria training and skills maintenance.
“In 2012 we also have 28 School of Nursing students at EGRCS undertaking years two and three of the nursing degree, allowing for local residents, including students bridging from the East Gippsland TAFE Division Two program, to continue their studies locally without the need to travel to Churchill.”
Mr Chester said he was keen to work with education providers to make sure that there were opportunities for students to undertake medical studies in regional communities and he commended the Victorian Government for supporting the extension project.
“To be able to continue to provide high quality health services in regional communities it’s critical that we attract and retain health specialists,” Mr Chester said.
“One of the best ways to do this is to provide meaningful training opportunities for medical students which display the benefits of working in a regional community.
“Dr Campbell and the team at EGRCS in Bairnsdale are working hard to get more students familiar with working within a regional setting and it’s important that these facilities are supported.”
The official opening of the EGRCS extension will be held at 10am on August 1.
A Community Open Day is also being held on July 28, to provide the community with an opportunity to talk to students and staff in relation to health careers. There will be activities including a Teddy Bear Clinic for children as well as CPR practice for adults.