New accommodation in Broken Hill will help attract health students to work and train in the city, according to Federal Member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Services Mark Coulton.
Mr Coulton was pleased to visit the Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health to inspect works today, which have been funded through the Government’s Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program.
“Through the RHMT program, the University of Sydney received $962,500 for the design, development, construction and fit-out of new student accommodation in Broken Hill,” Mr Coulton said.
“I’m thrilled that two four-bedroom units, providing a total of eight new beds, are now complete.
“The units will serve as residential facilities for medical, nursing and allied health students undergoing clinical placements under the RHMT Program and the Murray- Darling Medical Schools Network.
“Students need a range of supports to live, work and study in rural New South Wales, and this new accommodation will boost the number of students we can attract to this area.
“While they are here, the students – supported by The University of Sydney – will be able to see the many advantages of a career in rural health.”
The RHMT program is about improving the delivery of rural training experiences which will also support better distribution of the health workforce in rural communities. It supports a network of rural clinical schools, university departments of rural health and dental schools which support extended rural placements.
“I’m pleased to see this new accommodation for health students and urge them to consider staying in this area and enjoying all the benefits of living, working and training here,” Mr Coulton said.
“As the responsible Minister for Rural Health this program is key to increasing rural training opportunities and delivering more health services locally in our communities.
“The Federal Government is committed to improving access to health services and is working on key initiatives to support more doctors in the bush including the Rural Generalist Pathway and new innovative models of primary healthcare.”
A formal opening of the facility is expected to take place in early 2020.
Photo Caption: Minister for Regional Services and Member for Parkes Mark Coulton with Professor David Lyle, Head of the Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health (right) and medical students, during a visit to the new student accommodation funded through the Government’s Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program.
