Wonthaggi backs homegrown health workforce

Wonthaggi Hospital will play a key role in training some of the region’s next generation of allied health workers as regional health services struggle to attract and retain skilled staff.

The hospital has been confirmed as a clinical placement site for Monash University’s upcoming locally delivered allied health course.

Students will be able to study in Wonthaggi, undertake placements at the hospital and explore local career opportunities after graduating.

Bayside Health Regional CEO Louise Sparkes said the three-year Bachelor of Allied Health would strengthen the pipeline of qualified workers entering the region.

“This course will not only give students the opportunity to complete their education with Bayside Health Regional, but also encourage them to build their careers here and become part of a community where they are valued,” Ms Sparkes said.

The course will begin in Semester 1 next year and allow students to specialise in occupational therapy, podiatry or physiotherapy.

Just 14 places will be offered in the first Wonthaggi intake, with five each in occupational therapy and physiotherapy and four in podiatry.

Students will undertake the full-time course locally, with classes to be held at the Country Universities Centre Bass Coast.

Monash is also currently negotiating to use space at Wonthaggi Hospital to deliver parts of the course.

Bayside Health Regional allied health clinical educator Michelle Barnes said the health service welcomed the opportunity to support more Monash students to undertake placements in regional communities.

“Wonthaggi Hospital will be one of the clinical placement sites supporting students enrolled in Monash University’s Bachelor of Allied Health course,” Ms Barnes said.

“Clinical placements play an important role in introducing students to the opportunities available in regional healthcare, and we are pleased to have allied health staff who have already expressed interest in being part of their learning.

“This will provide students with a range of practical experiences and showcase the career opportunities we can offer them once they graduate.”

Bayside Health Regional hasn’t specified how many students Wonthaggi Hospital will accommodate or when its first placements will begin.

But Ms Sparkes said attracting and retaining skilled allied health workers remained difficult for regional health services.

“Clinical placements give students the opportunity to experience regional healthcare firsthand, build connections with local teams, and explore the rewarding career opportunities available across our region,” she said.

The Wonthaggi course was developed after local health and education organisations identified unmet workforce needs across regional communities.

Monash University course coordinator Sam Sevenhuysen previously said the university would track its graduates to examine whether training students in regional areas made them more likely to stay and work there.

Wonthaggi Hospital has also hosted clinical training and placements for Federation University Bachelor of Nursing students.

It’s also supported secondary students completing TAFE Gippsland’s Certificate III in Health Services Assistance.