RURAL CLINICAL SCHOOL TO OPEN NEXT YEAR ON MID NORTH COAST

The University of New South Wales is set to establish its first School of Rural Health, with the expansion of its highly successful rural medical training program to the mid North Coast.

The new Rural Clinical School, to be operating on the mid North Coast by next year, will have campuses at Kempsey, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie. It will join with the Greater Murray Clinical School to become the School of Rural Health.

The expansion of the rural medical training program to the mid North Coast follows the success of the Greater Murray Clinical School, established by UNSW two years ago to counter the disastrous shortage of doctors in Australia's rural and regional areas. The Commonwealth committed funding to UNSW for the expansion earlier this year.

The aim of the Rural Clinical Schools is to encourage medical professionals to take up rural practice by providing opportunities for medical students to gain training and experience in rural and regional areas. The Greater Murray was the first such school to be established in Australia.

The Community Advisory Board for the School of Rural Health, Mid North Coast Division will be officially launched at Coffs Harbour tomorrow, following its inaugural meeting.

The Board will play an integral part in the development of the new Clinical School. It includes local health professionals, representatives of State and Area health services and other government and community leaders, as well as representatives from UNSW and the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.

Chairman of the Board, Mr Bob Wells, who is First Assistant Secretary of the Health Industry and Investment Division of the Department, and Professor Bruce Dowton, Dean of Medicine at UNSW, will speak at a function following the Board meeting. Media are invited to attend.

Where: Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour
Time: 1pm
Date: Wednesday 29 August, 2001

For further information: Michaela Turner, School of Rural Health (02) 6659 1967.

Date issued: 28 August 2001