Health Workforce Australia gets a sneak peek at Rocky's Allied Health Clinic
Published on 20 August, 2012
Health Workforce Australia CEO Mark Cormack has enjoyed a sneak peek at the region's new multi-purpose Allied Health Clinic, currently in the final stages of construction at CQUniversity Rockhampton...
HWA, an initiative of the Australian Government, provided almost $12 million to the University, comprising $6 million toward the building of the clinic and its fit-out and equipment, and a further $6 million for, among other things, clinical placements for health students.
The University is chipping in another $3 million towards equipment and courses.
Mr Cormack said he was pleased to see funding dollars turn into actual bricks and mortar that will boost training for health students in the Rockhampton region.
"This first stage will cater for up to 160 patients each day in critical health areas, while providing clinical placements for students (about 200 placements annually at an average length of 6.2 weeks) to train the next generation of local health workers," he said.
"Across Australia, HWA is providing $425 million in 2011-13 to expand clinical training for 22 health professions."
CQUniversity Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman said Allied Health students will not only learn their own specialty at the clinic, they'll also get used to working alongside their counterparts from other health areas.
"The end result will be well-rounded students who, because they've been trained in a regional setting, will be more likely to seek professional roles in rural and regional areas after graduating," Professor Bowman said.
"The development will underpin a new era for community health services in the region."
Stage 1 services open to the public will include occupational therapy, speech pathology, oral health, physiotherapy, podiatry and nutrition.
The Federal Government has earmarked another $16 million for Stage 2 of the project as part of CQUniversity's proposed merger with Central Queensland Institute of TAFE, to become a dual-sector institution.
This expansion will enable TAFE students to embark on training in a range of health sectors, learning from health professionals and studying alongside their University counterparts.
Principal contractor Murphy Builders Queensland is working on the project, which is project-managed by Shirley Hynes from the Directorate of Facilities Management (DFM).
Some of the completed rooms 
Qld Health team leader Kerrie-Anne Frakes (in blue) tours the new facility with CQUniversity staff L-R Dr Geoff Bosson, Dr Michele Wolfe, Assoc Prof Trish Wielandt, Assoc Prof Julie Hickin and Assoc Prof Monica Moran