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Central Queensland University
Central Queensland University
06/15/2012 | News release
Local member gives 'thumbs up' to community allied health clinic
distributed by noodls on 06/14/2012 17:58
Construction progress on the $8 million stage 1 community health clinic at CQUniversity Rockhampton has been given the big 'thumbs up' by State Member for Keppel, Bruce Young.
When complete, the $24 million investment in Allied Health will provide a training ground for CQUniversity students while treating as many as 160 patients each day.
Stage 1 of the facility, which is being built with Commonwealth funding from Health Workforce Australia, is due for completion in July this year. The facility will work very closely with the State Government to deliver critical Allied Health services to the community, such as Oral Health, Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Podiatry.
Stage 2 works will begin following the merger between the University and the Central Queensland Institute of TAFE (CQIT), with the Commonwealth committing an additional $16 million toward the next stage of clinic.
After taking an early look at the still-under-construction facility today, Mr. Young praised CQUniversity for its vision in establishing a clinic that would grow the regional workforce and treat local patients.
"The proposed learning environment will allow rural and regional students to gain industry level training, with the opportunity for cross-disciplinary learning" he said.
"It would be a major boost to regional Queensland if our next generation of health professionals are going to graduate work ready, from a regional dual sector university that is in touch with the needs of its community."
Mr Young voiced his strong support for the clinic and the proposed $16 million of additional Commonwealth funding it will receive should CQUniversity's merger with CQIT be approved by State Government.
"The merger makes complete sense for the region, and this Public Allied Health Clinic is just one of the many benefits that will flow to the community when we see a dual-sector university operating here in Central Queensland."
"I am also optimistic that the facility would help alleviate the critical community shortage of key Allied Health professionals in the region. The new Allied Health clinic will provide more regional placement opportunities for students in these disciplines, and improve retention of these professionals once they enter the industry. We all know that if you can train students locally, you retain graduates locally." "
"It is essential we retain local talent to fill the workforce shortages we face."
"CQUniversity is exhibiting a real 'can do' attitude. These sorts of initiatives highlight the education and training potential of regional Queensland, and I congratulate the University's vision for becoming a dual-sector university."
The fully-completed clinic will be thoroughly utilised by students across the entire suite of Allied Health programs, which includes occupational therapy, speech pathology, oral health, physiotherapy, podiatry and health science.
As an added bonus, this state-of-the-art clinic will be open to public patients from across the local area, making it a true community asset.
