Bulletin

Issue: August 2005

News

Boost for physiotherapy and nursing in regional Victoria

Regional physiotherapy and postgraduate nursing students will benefit from a new teaching and research facility at Bendigo Hospital – a partnership between La Trobe University and the Bendigo Health Care Group.

Health Minister Pike and La Trobe Dean of
Health Sciences, Professor Stephen Duckett.

Health Minister, Bronwyn Pike, recently open the $900,000 refurbishment which will accommodate the new La Trobe University - Bendigo Health Care Group School of Physiotherapy and Clinical Nursing School.

Professor of Health Sciences, Hal Swerissen, said the facility comprises clinical laboratories, tutorial and lecture rooms.

'This partnership bridges the divide between theory and practice by bringing the schools into a hospital environment, giving students daily interaction with clinicians and clinical practice. It also provides opportunities for increased teaching and research in Bendigo.'

Clinical Nursing accommodates postgraduate nursing students in critical care, midwifery, mental health, maternal and child health and clinical education.

Dr Helen McBurney, Associate Professor of Physiotherapy, said the School of Physiotherapy at Bendigo has increased access for regional students to one of the University's most popular courses.

It provides opportunities for 30 students to complete their last two years of study in Bendigo based full-time at the Bendigo Health Care Group.

'Until now, they could complete clinical placements in Bendigo but there had been no facilities for full-time education,' Dr McBurney said.

Support for the refurbishment and salaries has come from the Department of Human Services. The Helen McPherson Smith Trust has helped fund new physiotherapy equipment for the new facility.