Medical training to receive boost
RURAL medical training in Stanthorpe is about to receive another boost.
Griffith University Darling Downs clinical training and accommodation facilities are currently being built at the Stanthorpe Hospital.
Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service chief executive Dr Peter Bristow said the facilities were part of $8.3 million from the Australian Government's Increased Training Capacity scheme to construct a network of similar facilities that would support growth in clinical placements.
"The Stanthorpe Hospital's new training facilities are almost completed and are located at the rear of the hospital campus," Dr Bristow said.
"There is a six bed accommodation building with links to existing staff accommodation, a new four bay carpark and a 30 chair seminar room.
"The total cost is $1.2 million."
Health Minister and local member Lawrence Springborg said building these types of facilities in rural towns helped to find long term solutions to the very real problem of rural and remote workforce retention.
"This is a constant battle for rural health services.
"But if the education, training, help and support already exists in the rural areas, then we have a much better chance of keeping health professionals out here in the bush," he said.
The facilities being constructed in Stanthorpe and Kingaroy, and those that were recently opened in Warwick, were built in partnership with the Darling Downs Hospital Health Service.
The new Stanthorpe Hospital facilities are scheduled to be officially open early in the new year.
