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USC joins major health project partnership
The University of the Sunshine Coast today became a partner in a major project that will greatly expand the region’s health training and research facilities.
USC’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Nambour General Hospital with representatives from Queensland Health, the University of Queensland, the Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE and Queensland Health’s Clinical Skills Development Services.
The organisations will work together to develop the Skills, Academic and Research Centre planned for the Sunshine Coast University Hospital site at Kawana.
Deputy Premier and Health Minister Paul Lucas officially announced the $60.8 million project today, saying the centre would play an important role in developing the region’s future health workforce and in attracting clinical staff to work at the new hospital.
Construction is planned to begin in 2013 and the centre is expected to open in 2016.
Professor Hill said he was delighted that the University of the Sunshine Coast would be involved in establishing the Skills, Academic and Research Centre.
“This centre will offer USC access to a world-class medical research facility with laboratories, teaching and training facilities and research equipment,” he said.
“This will greatly benefit University staff and students, many of whom are likely to gain work as health professionals at the new hospital.”
Professor Hill said USC was working closely with Queensland Health to help meet the hospital’s future staffing requirements, particularly in the areas of nursing and allied health.
Sunshine Coast Health Service District’s chief executive officer Kevin Hegarty said the Skills, Academic and Research Centre would be essential to the hospital’s role as a “university” hospital.
“It will play a key role in our provision of excellent patient care and enable us to train future generations of health professionals and contribute to the body of medical knowledge through research,” he said.
“The centre will incorporate the education and research facilities of the Sunshine Coast University Hospital and the tertiary institutions in a central location on the campus, ensuring all organisations work in partnership to make the most out of each other’s expertise and get the best outcomes for the health system,” Mr Hegarty said.
— Terry Walsh