A first-ever cooperative effort among higher education, private health care providers and government was announced this week, laying the foundations for healthier Central Queensland communities in the future.

With support from the community, the Central Queensland Regional Health Partnership will provide Central Queenslanders with better access to a range of health services by responding to the education and staff development needs of local medical practitioners, nurses, and other health professionals.

Unlike capital-city programs, this Rockhampton-based collaboration, will offer regional professional development opportunities that will renew the medical and education communities\' response to the local health care crisis.

The project, announced by the Central Queensland University Foundation, is a partnership in principle among Central Queensland University, the University of Queensland\'s School of Medicine - Rural Clinical Division, Queensland Health\'s Rockhampton Health Service, and Mercy Health & Aged Care Central Queensland Ltd (Mater Hospital).

\"It will help attract and retain qualified health care professionals in our remote areas, replenish resources, and directly benefit 150,000 people in coastal and inland Central Queensland,\" said Professor Errol Payne, Dean, CQU Faculty of Arts Health and Sciences.

The facility -- a national model for integrated primary health, social and biomedical research and training programs -- will be located in a refurbished and renovated Heritage Post Office located in Rockhampton\'s Central Business District. It will house a simulated clinical environment, which organisers say will enhance teaching services.

\"This team of dedicated teachers, researchers and medical practitioners will help develop expertise and skills in Central Queensland that would otherwise require travel to Brisbane or Sydney,\" explained Lynne Sheehan, CEO, Mater Group. \"It\'s a tremendous resource for Rockhampton and one that our families and loved ones will benefit from,\" she added.

\"Central Queensland University is responding to the needs of our communities in a very real and tangible way... making a significant financial and educational commitment to the region, and driving this initiative with the help of partners,\" said CQU Vice Chancellor and President Glenice Hancock.

The services offered by the Regional Health Partnership are an incentive that will draw professionals to the region. It will also provide a support network for health care professionals, many of whom work in isolation in Central Queensland. \"UQ recognises the long-term benefits of this partnership will bring increased recruitment to regional and rural communities,\" explained John Birks of the UQ Rural Clinical Division.

Queensland Health is committed to working with the partnership because of its mission to help professionals share information and raise awareness of health issues among consumers. \"We must improve workforce planning and skill development in the region,\" said Kevin Hegarty, District Manager, Rockhampton Health Service District.

The Partnership\'s new education centre will house classrooms, distance learning labs, and research facilities. Some facilities will be operational as early as Spring 2003. Staffed with up to 20 employees, the Health Partnership will draw scores of professionals to Rockhampton\'s Central Business District every month for daily and extended training and development sessions.

Organisers believe the Partnership will eventually lead to a \"seamless continuum of care\" in Central Queensland, where high-quality primary, acute, transitional and chronic care can be offered locally and efficiently and consumers will become more knowledgeable of health care choices within the community.

END-Please see other articles: Local individuals most important partners and Heritage Post Office to envelop community health care.

Photo identifications, from left to right: Barbara Ritchie, head of School, CQU School of Nursing and Health Studies Lynne Sheehan, CEO of the Mater Group (Mercy Health & Aged Care Central Qld Ltd.) Anne Gribbin, Executive Director of the CQU Foundation