Allied health workforce shortages in the South East will be addressed with the launch of a new education pathway at Flinders University in 2024.
The new local health courses aim to train and retain occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and speech pathologists based at the Mount Gambier site.
With regional communities losing school leavers and mature-aged residents to metropolitan cities for study and work opportunities, these new pathways (Bachelor of Allied Health Sciences (Occupational Therapy), (Physiotherapy) and (Speech Pathology) provide high value options tailored for South-East residents looking to enter the healthcare industry.
The university has developed an allied health program with placements in local hospitals, schools, and aged care and disability services.
These pathways will establish a workforce that can address regional health and care needs as allied health professionals are in short supply across South Australia.
Pro Vice Chancellor (Curriculum Impact) Professor Chris Brebner says young people and mature-aged students in the South East that want to stay in their community when studying can now apply for the new pathways to equip themselves with community-relevant health knowledge.
“It’s exciting for Flinders University to introduce allied health programs that can better support locals educational experience and enhance health outcomes for the community at the same time.”
“Allied health students will play a key role in the development of the workforce and have a direct impact immediately through placements, while also improving their employability through real-world work experience in the Mount Gambier hospitals and with services they personally use, so it fosters a real community spirit.”
Professor Alison Kitson, Vice-President and Executive Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to apply in support of a more culturally diverse workforce across regional South Australia.
“Indigenous students will bring important cultural knowledge, value and contribute to closing the gap in their communities, so the university encourages those seeking careers in healthcare to consider this program, which is designed to make a positive impact for Indigenous communities,” says Professor Kitson.
The programs are being developed as part of a co-design process with rural and remote communities in the South East and other sites across Flinders’ footprint in SA and the NT to ensure graduates are work ready and have the skills to be able to meet the diverse needs of rural communities.
The students from the three degrees will work closely together to develop team work, communication and collaboration skills, essential to rural and remote practice.
