Tablelands Clinical School to be built on-site at Armidale Hospital

The University of New England and Hunter New England Health have today announced that the Tablelands Clinical School and General Practice Training Facility will be built on the Armidale Hospital Campus.

The University of New England, as part of the Joint Medical Program with the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and Northern Sydney Central Coast Health, have been successful in receiving $5.5 million dollars in Commonwealth funding, awarded under the Rural Education Infrastructure Development (REID) program to construct and fit out the Tablelands Clinical School and develop a training practice building in collaboration with the New England Division of General Practice and GP Synergy. 
The Vice Chancellor of the University of New England, Professor Jim Barber, welcomed the collaboration with the Hunter New England Health.

“This project is critical for both the University and the New England community as it is likely to increase the quality of clinical training and the capacity for clinical education across our area. It will create a professional environment with teaching clinics for healthcare students to obtain broader experience in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of illness,” Professor Barber said.

The new facility will serve medical students enrolled in the Joint Medical Program as well as other nursing and allied health students enrolled at UNE.  It will offer a greater range of clinical experiences by allowing students to be exposed to health problems seen by GPs and those referred to the hospital.

“Particularly important is the partnership between the University and the New England Division of General Practice in developing a training practice model of national and international significance,” Professor Barber said.

Hunter New England Health Chief Executive Dr Nigel Lyons welcomed the initiative, supporting the development of the clinical teaching facility on the Armidale Hospital campus. “The Joint Medical Program partnership has helped establish Armidale as a clinical centre of excellence, offering practical opportunities and experiences for medical students and benefits nursing and allied health students too,” he said.     

“We’re pleased to welcome the Tablelands Clinical School and General Practice Training to the Armidale Hospital Campus. This establishes a firm training ground for students, by co-locating the learning environment close to patient care.

“We look forward to working with the JMP partners to build upon the success of this model – from the facilities and buildings to the curriculum and dedicated staffing needed to make the program an ongoing success,” Dr Lyons said.

For media enquiries, please contact Michael Kauter on 0429360 498 or 6773 3872 or Kristy Waddell at Hunter New England Health on 02 4985 5522.