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UWS welcomes Government funding for medical school
Date: 11/05/2004
The University of Western Sydney welcomes the news that the Federal Government will contribute $18 million towards a UWS medical school, as announced in tonight's budget.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Janice Reid, says the funding commitment is good news for the University and, in particular, for the people in Sydney's west.
"We estimate that a minimum of $60 million is required to plan, build and establish a medical school, and we welcome this initial funding commitment, which is a significant first step.
"The University will continue the useful discussions we have commenced with the State and Federal governments to ensure we have sufficient funds for a state-of-the-art, new medical school to be ready for its first intake in 2007 or 2008," Professor Reid says.
Professor Reid says a new medical school based in western Sydney will be a major step towards reducing the severe shortage of 3,000 to 4,000 GPs, hospital doctors and specialists in Australia.
"A medical school will make a major difference to the quality and accessibility of medical services and inpatient care for the people in Sydney's west.
"We do not see ourselves in competition with other medical schools. We are looking forward to working collaboratively with Sydney University and the University of New South Wales to improve health care services by training more doctors for Sydney's west," Professor Reid says.
Traditionally it has been very difficult to attract and keep general medical practitioners, health professionals and medical specialists in western Sydney and nearby country areas. For every GP living in the Greater West, three are living in the rest of Sydney. Only one in six medical specialists in Sydney lives in the west.
Professor Reid said the University has been encouraged by the strong support it had received from both the Commonwealth and NSW governments for a medical school at UWS. "We have had productive meetings with the Federal Minister for Education, Brendan Nelson and the NSW Premier, Bob Carr and NSW Health Minister, Morris Iemma", she says.
"We are particularly pleased by the support of local Government members in Western Sydney, Kerry Bartlett, Ross Cameron, Pat Farmer and Jackie Kelly.
"The University already has the largest nursing program in Australia, and trains other allied health professionals such as biomedical scientists, occupational therapists, sport scientists and podiatrists, so we have the experience and health service networks to build on.
"The University will now talk with government about the additional support needed to build and staff the new school and where it will be situated," Professor Reid says.
Date: 11/05/2004
The University of Western Sydney welcomes the news that the Federal Government will contribute $18 million towards a UWS medical school, as announced in tonight's budget.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Janice Reid, says the funding commitment is good news for the University and, in particular, for the people in Sydney's west.
"We estimate that a minimum of $60 million is required to plan, build and establish a medical school, and we welcome this initial funding commitment, which is a significant first step.
"The University will continue the useful discussions we have commenced with the State and Federal governments to ensure we have sufficient funds for a state-of-the-art, new medical school to be ready for its first intake in 2007 or 2008," Professor Reid says.
Professor Reid says a new medical school based in western Sydney will be a major step towards reducing the severe shortage of 3,000 to 4,000 GPs, hospital doctors and specialists in Australia.
"A medical school will make a major difference to the quality and accessibility of medical services and inpatient care for the people in Sydney's west.
"We do not see ourselves in competition with other medical schools. We are looking forward to working collaboratively with Sydney University and the University of New South Wales to improve health care services by training more doctors for Sydney's west," Professor Reid says.
Traditionally it has been very difficult to attract and keep general medical practitioners, health professionals and medical specialists in western Sydney and nearby country areas. For every GP living in the Greater West, three are living in the rest of Sydney. Only one in six medical specialists in Sydney lives in the west.
Professor Reid said the University has been encouraged by the strong support it had received from both the Commonwealth and NSW governments for a medical school at UWS. "We have had productive meetings with the Federal Minister for Education, Brendan Nelson and the NSW Premier, Bob Carr and NSW Health Minister, Morris Iemma", she says.
"We are particularly pleased by the support of local Government members in Western Sydney, Kerry Bartlett, Ross Cameron, Pat Farmer and Jackie Kelly.
"The University already has the largest nursing program in Australia, and trains other allied health professionals such as biomedical scientists, occupational therapists, sport scientists and podiatrists, so we have the experience and health service networks to build on.
"The University will now talk with government about the additional support needed to build and staff the new school and where it will be situated," Professor Reid says.
That is good news! I might actually try out for it....even though I doubt I will make it.
