CQUniversity's experience arranging overseas tours for Nursing and Midwifery students will become a boon for a health clinic in a remote part of Cambodia.

Mackay health professionals were inspired by a presentation about student tours to Nepal and expressed an interest in joining future tours of this type.

Anne Eaton

Instead, Nursing and Midwifery academics Anne Eaton and Maureen Chapman were able to conceive and coordinate a special health worker expedition to Cambodia, in conjunction with the Antipodeans Abroad Program ( www.antipodens.com.au ) and Mackay Health Service District.

According to Anne, a plethora of health workers applied to join the trip but it was found the Cambodian clinic really needed nurses and midwives, so a core of 10 applicants was chosen.

They leave on Friday (February 4) and will be away for 16 days on what will be a pilot project for the three organisations who have been working together. Health service nurse practitioner and midwife Greg Coulsen is leading the group.

"They'll be taking part of their annual leave to work as volunteers," Anne said.

"They'll be providing education and support to the 11 Cambodian nurses based at the clinic and scoping needs to inform future 'working holiday' groups.

"This gives health professionals a taste of working in a resource-challenged environment. It takes them out of their comfort zone so they can think beyond the square of the health system in Australia. They can provide services in the safety of well organised group."

Anne said the group would provide a presentation about their tour at Mackay Campus during March.