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$7.5 million for Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health

The University Department of Rural Health (UDRH) in Broken Hill will benefit from funding of $7.5 million to assist in continuing its work towards attracting and training more health professionals for regional areas, Senator Kay Patterson, Federal Minister for Health, and Mr John Cobb, Federal Member for Parkes said today.

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4 September 2002

$7.5 million for Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health

The University Department of Rural Health (UDRH) in Broken Hill will benefit from funding of $7.5 million to assist in continuing its work towards attracting and training more health professionals for regional areas, Senator Kay Patterson, Federal Minister for Health, and Mr John Cobb, Federal Member for Parkes said today.

A key component of the Commonwealth Government's commitment to improving access to health professionals in rural areas, the network of ten UDRH throughout Australia aims to make it easier for rural students to study in the health professions and to give urban students a taste of country practice.

The Broken Hill UDRH last year achieved a 12 per cent increase in the number of health profession students undertaking study in the region, with more than 240 enrolled in 2001. Today's funding will allow the UDRH to build on its success for another five years.

"Experience shows that students from rural and regional areas who undertake training in a rural setting are more likely to practise in these areas once their studies are complete," Senator Patterson said.

"This funding will ensure that the excellent work being undertaken by the Broken Hill UDRH continues, thus sustaining a highly competent rural and remote academic workforce. This Government is committed to maintaining appropriate support structures for students wishing to undertake study in the country," the Minister said.

Since 1996, the Broken Hill UDRH has been working towards establishing relevant teaching and support environments, offering opportunities for student placements in rural and remote settings and undertaking rural and remote health research.

"This department was one of the first of ten departments to be established in Australia and a key to its continuing success will be its effective partnership with the Far West Area Health Service and Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation," Mr Cobb said.

"Supporting and maintaining the Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health is part of the Coalition's strategy to continue to increase the numbers of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals and providing country learning centres," said Mr Cobb.

The UDRH network is a key feature of the Commonwealth Government's $562 million Regional Health Strategy which aims to improve the range of health care services and to strengthen the health workforce in rural communities across Australia.

Media Contact: Marnie Gaffney, Senator Patterson's Office
(03) 9657 9577
Chris Wenden, John Cobb's office (02) 6882 0999