THE University of Newcastle is set to boost its rural medical student-base in Tamworth by more than 63 per cent in coming years, with more accommodation now being built.
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It’s a boon for the region which has historically had trouble recruiting health professionals.
It also marks a surge in interest in the Tamworth university base which wasn’t expecting to exceed its capacity until 2023.
A new accommodation block is being built at the Johnston Street campus which will house 12 extra beds for the 2019 academic year.
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It’s the first phase of a dual-pronged development which will eventually see a total of 36 beds added to the 57 currently on site.
Director Jenny May said it proved Tamworth was considered a good place to live and practice health.
“Because students come here electively, they choose to come and they’re choosing to stay,” Dr May said.
“We did a 10 strategic plan and we’ve already got to capacity after five years.”
The campus opened in 2013 and currently teaches fourth and fifth year medicine students, as well as physiotherapy and dietetics.
While many students who studied at the rural health campus might be still training for their chosen speciality, Dr May said there were some measures to show success.
“It’s too early to say this is the percentage success, but what we do know is many of students are choosing to become interns at Tamworth hospital,” she said.
“It looks like there will be close to 16 students who've had rural clinical school exposure who are interns at Tamworth hospital.
“For me, that’s a very good indication that those students believe becoming a doctor and learning the skills they need can be done here in Tamworth.”
The director said there was room for further expansions at the Tamworth campus but it was difficult to predict what facilities would be needed on site to cater for the region’s health needs.
“We know that digital technology and e-health will be a significant part of the future,” she said.
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