Health training deal takes flight
HEALTH students will be able to learn about rural practice in some of the most remote parts of south-west Queensland, thanks to an agreement between two major services.
Southern Queensland Rural Health and the Royal Flying Doctor Service this week signed a memorandum of understanding to provide the unique opportunity for nursing, midwifery and allied health students.
SQRH director, Associate Professor Geoff Argus, said the agreement created a platform to grow a strong relationship.
“SQRH supports nursing, midwifery and allied health students in their rural placements and a major focus for us has been to increase student exposure to the many and varied opportunities in rural practice,” he said.
RFDS (Queensland Section) head of clinical governance, Trent Dean, said the RFDS was keen to support the next generation of rural health staff and recognised the importance of building teams with extensive rural and remote healthcare skills.
“RFDS has provided student placements for many years but the MOU with SQRH means we are now sharing resources to better educate emerging rural health professionals,” he said.
The agreement includes providing student placement opportunities for third year nursing/midwifery students and fourth year allied health students.
Students on placement in Charleville will also have the opportunity to attend RFDS outreach clinics, and participate in simulation training.
SQRH is a University Department of Rural Health and is a collaboration between the University of Queensland, the University of Southern Queensland, Darling Downs Health and South West Hospital and Health Service.