The University Department of Rural Health South West opened at Edith Cowan University’s Bunbury campus this week, with the promise of providing a major boost to rural and regional health education and training.
Following years of advocacy led by ECU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Regional Futures) Professor Cobie Rudd, the initiative sees ECU South West become one of 19 universities in Australia to offer enhanced rural and remote training, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including clinical labs and simulation suites.
“This department is not just a building; it’s a solution to the health workforce shortages in the fastest growing region of Western Australia,” Professor Rudd said.
“By encouraging more graduates to practice here, we’re building a pipeline of talent that will serve our communities for years to come.”
The new department was made possible by Federal Government funding in 2022 which included a $36 million investment to encourage more health professionals to serve in regional WA, while the 2022 Budget provided another $17 million over four years.
“This initiative will add 1000 placement weeks per year, with over 400 students gaining vital rural clinical experience in the next four years,” Professor Rudd said.
“These placements cover fields such as emergency medicine, aged care, mental health, disability services, child and family health and more, providing hands-on experience in a range of community settings that are often hard to access in metropolitan areas.”
Director of the University Department of Rural Health, Professor Beth Armstrong, said the program aimed to address the health challenges of rural communities, with a particular focus on improving Aboriginal health outcomes.
“One of the strengths of this program lies in its focus on cultural capabilities and responsiveness. Through close collaboration with the South West Aboriginal Medical Service and with the local Aboriginal communities, we will ensure that all of our students are equipped to work effectively and responsively with Aboriginal clients and communities,” Professor Armstrong said.
“Our department is also committed to research that drives change. We are building on the excellent work already underway in the areas of student learning, disability, and cross-cultural clinical practice. These research initiatives will not only inform our teaching but also contribute to the broader field of rural health.”