A $4.39 MILLION medical training facility at Warwick Hospital boasting a seminar room, student accommodation and dental clinic was opened by Health Minister Lawrence Springborg yesterday.

The 60-chair seminar room, 24-bed hostel and six-chair dental clinic, at the former Oaks Nursing Home, is the first of three Griffith University Darling Downs medical training facilities to open.

Mr Springborg said building these facilities in regional towns would help to find long-term solutions to the 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, then we have a much better chance of keeping health professionals out in the bush," he said.

"Having access to this student population will allow Queensland Health to actively recruit staff and should provide a significant boost to the future health workforce.

"This project will expand opportunities for health students to undertake clinical education in Warwick and we hope the students will choose to stay working in the Darling Downs region."

The Health Minister said Griffith University received a total of $8.3 million from the Australian Government Increased Clinical Training Capacity scheme to construct a network of facilities across the Darling Downs.

"The funding will also be used to construct similar facilities at Kingaroy and Stanthorpe hospitals, as well as minor works to support clinical placement capacity," Mr Springborg said.

"Having access to this student population will allow Queensland Health to actively recruit future staff and should provide a significant boost to the future health workforce."

Southern Downs Mayor Peter Blundell said it was a fantastic opportunity for the region.

"It is absolutely brilliant," he said. "It will improve education possibilities in Warwick.

"It will also work in favour of medical students experience in rural and regional conditions."

Griffith vice-chancellor Professor Ian O'Connor said the partnership to develop facilities was a strong beginning for a greater connection between the university and region.

"Griffith University is really proud of the relationship we're developing in the Darling Downs region," he said.

"It is creating genuine bricks and mortar results which will be of enormous benefit to the towns and our academics and students.

"We want people in the Darling Downs to think of Griffith as their university and, through our partnerships with Queensland Rural Medical Education and the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service, we're intent on growing the facilities and our identity in the region."

Griffith health pro-vice chancellor Professor Allan Cripps is looking forward to an increase in training and clinical supervision capacity, as well as broadening the scope for research into rural health concerns.

"Through providing education and clinical placement opportunities in the Darling Downs, it is anticipated that regional and rural students, including those from local Indigenous communities find health education more accessible," he said.

"We'll have places for students studying medicine, nursing, dentistry, physiotherapy, pharmacy, midwifery and psychology.

"Having clinical training in rural communities, boosts the health and economy of the communities and the educational outcomes for the students.

"People who take up rural placements are also more likely to stay in those towns to work after they graduate."