A re-elected Coalition Government will invest $19.5 million to build Clinical Health School facilities for Greater Shepparton.
Minister for Regional Education, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said along with investment by La Trobe University and Goulburn Valley Health, the $26.5 million project will deliver dedicated education and training facilities to future proof northern Victoria’s health care workforce.
“The Clinical Health School will future proof Goulburn Valley and Northern Victoria’s health care workforce,” Minister McKenzie said.
“La Trobe University and Goulburn Valley Health will now have dedicated training facilities to train students in nursing, midwifery and allied health to address the medium and long-term workforce needs of the region.”
“Our investment will improve the health care outcomes for people across Australia, but particularly in northern Victoria.
“There will be amazing career opportunities for future graduates who choose to train at this incredible facility when it opens.
“By contrast, Labor has no plan or vision for regional centres like Greater Shepparton. Labor Leader Anthony Albanese can barely bring himself to mention the word ‘region’.”
Professor John Dewar AO, Vice-Chancellor of La Trobe University, said the University is delighted to be collaborating with Goulburn Valley Health and the Government to establish a Clinical Health School in Shepparton, which will substantially increase the number of nursing and midwifery and allied health students undertaking their studies and training in the region.
“The Clinical Health School will create career opportunities for the future health workforce through quality education and learning experiences, and develop the capability of existing clinicians through postgraduate study,” Mr Dewar said.
Matt Sharp, Chief Executive Goulburn Valley Health, said that that the pressures of healthcare demand a workforce profile of clinicians who continually advance their knowledge and skills.
“The purpose-built Clinical Health School will enable us to offer flexible nursing, midwifery and allied health education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It will be delivered through a combination of on-site teaching, integrated learning experiences with expert clinicians and technologically enabled student experiences that simulate clinical environments reflective of contemporary practice,” Mr Sharp said.
“The Clinical Health School will enhance the strong collaboration already in place between La Trobe University and Goulburn Valley Health to provide increased opportunities for young people across the area to pursue a career in health and undertake the study locally.
“It will help us to address workforce shortages experienced in the nursing, midwifery and allied health care professions not only for GV Health but across the region as well.”
The Coalition Government continues to build on its more than $120 billion investment in regional Australia – the engine-room of our nation’s economy – to ensure a sustainable, prosperous and secure future for people living in the regions.
The $2 billion Regional Accelerator Program is part of an unprecedented $21 billion investment in our regions and infrastructure across the nation unveiled through the 2022-23 Federal Budget to make our nation wealthier and stronger, create tens of thousands of regional jobs and drive our economic growth.
Only the Coalition Government will continue to deliver a better future for Australia as part of our plan to build a strong economy and a stronger future.
More information on the 2022-23 Budget can be found at www.budget.gov.au.
