THE University of Tasmania is working with Corumbene to establish a new rural health training site in New Norfolk. Funded through the federal government’s Health Workforce Program, this partnership will allow the University to expand its Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training Program in aged care services.
Over the past year, New Norfolk has already seen higher numbers of nursing and allied health students participate in learning activities at Corumbene to experience rural aged care. The new rural health training site is being established in the new Health Hub, which Corumbene is developing on The Avenue site, next to Woolworths.
“Having commenced the internal fit out, the site will be ready for occupancy in 2024 and with the University of Tasmania joining us we can work together to achieve the Health Hub’s vision to be a site where health, wellbeing, community and commerce thrive,” Corumbene chief executive Alison Standen said.
“The University’s rural health training site will be designed to support community health access and improvement by introducing a preventative health approach with a focus on the aging experience. It will enable even more allied health and nursing students to undertake community-based study rotations in New Norfolk,” Ms Standen said.
University of Tasmania executive dean of the College of Health and Medicine, Professor Denise Fassett, said these initiatives were known to encourage future health professionals to consider the benefits and rewards of a rural career.
As part of establishing the proposed site, people living in New Norfolk and surrounding Derwent Valley areas are being invited to attend information sessions and participate in a study to have their say in new rural health training activities.
“We are very excited to see this new rural health training site form part of the School of Health Sciences’ allied health expansion program as we continue to grow the allied health workforce in this area,” Professor Nuala Byrne, Head of the School of Health Sciences, said.
“We hope that as many community members as possible will take the opportunity to come to our sessions, to learn more about the initiative and share their thoughts about activities that might lead to positive health outcomes for New Norfolk.”
Two focus group information sessions will be held on Monday, August 21, from 3-5pm and 6-8pm at Corumbene, 13-21 Lower Rd, New Norfolk. To register your interest, or more information, email Allied.Health.Expansion.SHS@utas.edu.au
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