Deakin clinical school starts in Warrnambool

The first group of medical students to be based full-time in south-west Victoria will be formally welcomed on Thursday (25 February) night at the opening of a new clinical school in Warrnambool.

The Deakin University School of Medicine's Greater Green Triangle Clinical School will bring new clinical training programs to the region. A clinical skills laboratory has been established which includes a range of simulation equipment, including state of the art computerised mannequins which are used to train students in the recognition and management of complex and critical health problems.

The clinical school will be initially based at South West TAFE until completion of a $3.6 million facility which is part of the South West Healthcare redevelopment.

In 2010 there will be 13 students, increasing to an anticipated 40 students in 2011. The students have completed their first two years of training at Deakin's Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds and will complete the final two years of their course in the south-west.

The Deakin University course has been designed to train doctors who are skilled and motivated to pursue a career in rural and regional areas.

Director of the Clinical School, Associate Professor Barry Morphett, said the two-year placements would be a significant advantage to the region as they would allow students to integrate into the community. "Hopefully this will lead to them staying in the south west once trained, helping to alleviate our doctor shortage," he said.

Dr Morphett said the Clinical school was strongly supported by all healthcare providers across the south-west.