THE HON CATHERINE KING MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing
DARREN CHEESEMAN MP
Federal Member for Corangamite
THE HON RICHARD MARLES MP
Federal Member for Corio
$5 MILLION GRANT FOR MEDICAL TRAINING FACILITY AT GEELONG
More doctors, nurses and allied health professionals are set to be supported in
Geelong as part of the Australian Government’s health reforms to deliver better
health and hospitals for all Australians.
Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing Catherine King today announced up
to $5 million for a dedicated education precinct and ward-based training facility within
a new Epworth HealthCare private not-for-profit hospital at Geelong.
“This investment will create long-term and sustainable clinical placements for
students and healthcare professionals from medicine, nursing, physiotherapy,
psychology, social work, dietetics, speech pathology and occupational therapy,” Ms
King said.
Epworth HealthCare will lead the project with Deakin University as a key partner.
Member for Corangamite Darren Cheeseman said “The Gillard Government is
delivering a better health and hospital system for local residents through this $5
million injection into the region.”
“The new facility will be linked to Deakin University’s Medical School and a planned
regional community health hub. It will include a simulation centre, tutorial rooms,
lecture theatre and student lounges,” Mr Cheeseman said.
“This will considerably extend Deakin’s ability to support clinical placements in
regional Victoria.”
Member for Corio Richard Marles said, “The Gillard Government’s funding will
provide medical and simulation equipment, audio and IT equipment and furnishings
and fittings.”
“These facilities are due to be completed in 2013 and combined with the Deakin’s
Medical School will establish our region as a major provider of health education and
training,” Mr Marles said.
New low, medium and high fidelity simulation equipment will assist in educating
undergraduate students on clinical placement and will significantly enhance capacity
for research in a variety of health sciences.
The $5 million funding will be provided under the Gillard Government’s $90 million
Innovative Clinical Teaching and Training Grants program to boost the number of
clinical teaching and training opportunities available around Australia, including in rural
and regional areas and in community and private practice settings not traditionally used
for this purpose.
The projects are part of the Gillard Government’s health reforms and will substantially
increase training opportunities to support the long-term sustainability of the nation’s
health workforce.
GEELONG
WEDNESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2010
MEDIA CONTACT:
CHRIS CARPENTER (KING) 0466 770 296
SHANNON FARLEY (CHEESEMAN) 0430 664 848
PAULINE BRANIFF (MARLES) 0419 664 016
NEWS 
