Lihini Samarawikrama, pictured above, of Melbourne University, practiced resuscitating a patient in a ‘mock’ emergency situation simulation to showcase the new facilities, while above left, students Danae Papachristos and Andrew Fraval check a ‘patient’s’ vitals, as Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon looks on. 70143 Picture: NICOLE SULTANA
BY NATALIE GALLENTI
SUNSHINE Hospital was abuzz last week as the first group of medical students from the Western Centre for Health Research and Education gathered to meet prominent members of the community.
The newly built $51.6 million centre, which was officially opened in June this year, is a collaboration between Western Health, the University of Melbourne and Victoria University.
It is hoped the state of the art centre attracts local students to train as doctors so they can remain in the West.
A total of 132 medical students will be the first to undertake training this year.
Associate Professor Stephen Lew, Head of the Western Clinical School for the University of Melbourne, said it would provide a superb base for its medical students to undergo their studies in medical, surgical, obstetric, emergency, paediatric and aged care training.
“We have excellent simulation and clinical training wards for all levels of hospital training which will provide facilities typically only found in inner Melbourne, out in the west,” Mr Lew said.
Chief Executive of Western Health Kathryn Cook said the new centre would lead to enhanced patient care for years to come.
“The facility and its medical staff and students will assist the people living in the growing western communities to access a broader range of health care service within their local region,” Ms Cook said.
In addition to the new facilities, Western Health received a much needed funding boost last week.
Minister for Health David Davis announced the State Government had allocated $100,000 to Western Health to help meet the demand for its consultancy services to people with a terminal illness and their families.
The Government also announced over half a million dollars in funding for Mercy Western Palliative Care to increase the number of people with a terminal illness it can support to remain living in the community and a further $74,995 in flexible funding it can use to support carers with costs.
Mr Davis said Victoria’s ageing population was placing greater demand on palliative care services and the Government was determined to meet the needs of the
demographic shift.
Ms Cook said the funding would help the hospital expand its Palliative Care Outreach Service, which enables patients to be treated in the comfort of their own home, as well as establishing a symptom management clinic and a radiation therapy service.
