The Morrison Government has today invested more than $5 million to boost training opportunities in rural and remote Western Australia for up-and-coming nurses and allied health professionals.
Federal Member for Durack, The Hon. Melissa Price MP said the $5 million investment will boost student training in allied health and aged care careers and provide increased access to care for rural and remote patients in WA.
“I continue to work hard every day to improve access to high quality regional education. Opportunities like this Morrison Government investment is another great example and outcome for health care and aged care training and employment in Durack, through the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program,” Ms Price said.
“This announcement for Carnarvon, Roebourne and the surrounding remote Aboriginal communities of Cheeditha and Mingullatharndo will greatly benefit those areas directly, but it will also provide more health workers right across rural and remote WA. The recent opening of Carnarvon’s new aged care facility Gnullingoo Mia, will provide the ideal environment for students to learn on the job,” she said.
Ms Price said the funding includes:
A grant of close to $2.2 million to create the Roebourne Remote Health and Social Care Training Hub to increase allied health, social care and nursing student training opportunities in Roebourne and the surrounding Aboriginal communities of Cheeditha and Mingullatharndo; and
A grant of nearly $3 million to establish the Western Australian Centre for Rural Health Aged Care Training Program in Carnarvon.
Federal Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie said research shows that health and medicine students who train in the regions are more likely to stay and practice there once qualified.
“As a former regional doctor, I know this is true, which is why the Coalition Government is investing heavily in increasing rural training opportunities to further boost our regional and rural workforce,” Dr Gillespie said.
Partnering with the WA Country Health Service, and the University of Western Australia will develop placement programs for nursing and a broad range of allied health disciplines with the overall aim of addressing workforce issues and gaps in services.
Media Contact:
Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au