14 July 2006
Monash University and the University of Melbourne have welcomed the Federal Government's announcement to offer 60 new student medical places to Victoria under the Monash/Melbourne Northern Victoria Regional Medical Education Network.
The Government announced the places today, subject to guarantees from state governments to provide sufficient resources for clinical training placements and internships.
Monash University Vice Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins said the offer provided an opportunity to build on the success of the Rural Clinical Schools as part of the universities' joint proposal for an extended regional medical education network for Bendigo and northern Victoria.
"Evidence shows that doctors who train in rural and regional settingsare more likely to practice in rural and regional areas," he said. "This offer enables us to take the vision forward to build a stronger rural medical education network which can address the doctor shortages which have affected the communities of central and northern Victoria".
University of Melbourne Vice Chancellor Professor Glyn Davis said the announcement of the additional places was welcome news, following the state government's announcement yesterday of support for additional clinical places and intern places.
"This is an excellent example of Commonwealth and the state governments working together for better health outcomes," he said. "This important decision means the universities will be able to welcome extra medical students from regional Victoria in 2007. It is a vote of confidence that Monash and Melbourne together will continue to provide excellent medical education at various levels in rural and regional Victoria."
Professor Geoff Solarsh, head of the Monash University School of Rural Health said the announcement was fantastic news for Bendigo, a tremendous testament to the work already done in the Bendigo Clinical School and a great outcome for the future health care of rural Victorians.
"The admissions program together with our special arrangements for local high school students will provide opportunities second to none in Australia," he said. "Building on our existing clinical schools' success ensures there will be no interruption in the flow of graduates into hospitals for intern training."
Professor Dawn Dewitt, head of the University of Melbourne's School of Rural Health in Shepparton, said this had been a great week for current and prospective medical students in the region.
"Students at the School of Rural Health in Shepparton received the top results compared to their metropolitan peers and now we hope that these new places and the resources that will follow to rural and regional Victoria will help us to produce outstanding doctors for our communities."
For more information contact Ms Diane Squires, Media Communications on 9905 9315 or 0417 603 400, or Ms Christina Buckridge on 8344 6158
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