• Charles Sturt signs memorandum of understanding with Mid North Coast Local Health District to enhance rural, remote and regional healthcare through research and clinical placement opportunities
• A range of career development opportunities across Charles Sturt health disciplines will be offered
• The MoU took effect in January 2024 and will run until January 2027

Charles Sturt University has strengthened its commitment to enhancing rural, remote and regional healthcare by signing a three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD).

The MoU solidifies the long-standing relationship between the University and the MNCLHD with a focus on identifying research opportunities, strengthening education and supporting placements of rural and regional students across a range of medical and allied health disciplines.

Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor Professor Renée Leon PSM welcomed the MoU between the University and the Local Health District, marking the next stage in a meaningful partnership ahead.

“Rural and regional communities are the backbone of our university so to be able to give back to them in the form of bolstering healthcare offerings and research through this MoU is a privilege,” Professor Leon said.

“This partnership presents an exciting opportunity for our students to learn critical skills in regional settings, and to participate in research which could positively impact not just the communities they live and work in, but wider Australia.”

The three-year MoU commenced on 1 January 2024 and will remain in place until 1 January 2027. During this time, a range of career development opportunities across Charles Sturt disciplines will be offered, including through the Charles Sturt School of Rural Medicine, and additional areas, such as nursing, paramedicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, exercise sport science, medical radiation science and psychology.

Professor Leon said the partnership was the result of strategic planning throughout 2023 with clinical, education, research and engagement teams developing a collaborative vision, led by herself and MNCLHD Chief Executive Mr Stewart Dowrick.

“Both organisations share a commitment to optimising medical student education and research and this MoU seeks to do just that by offering medical school placements and medical research opportunities,” she said.

“We also know that by placing students in rural and regional settings during their clinical placements, they are more likely to remain in these areas after graduation assisted by the meaningful connections they have made within the community.”

The MoU also reinforces the commitment of both organisations to First Nations communities and engagement in future First Nations health research and evaluation.

Students will also be supported through honours and higher degree programs with co-supervision by clinicians as part of the MoU. There will also be opportunities for adjunct and conjoint lecturer positions across the medical and allied health sciences areas.

MNCLHD Chief Executive Mr Stewart Dowrick said the partnership would improve clinical placement opportunities, and professional development for MNCLHD staff and enable joint research projects.

“We’re proud to have partnered with Charles Sturt for more than a decade and this new MoU will continue to enhance that important strategic alliance into the future,” Mr Dowrick said.

“The MoU reflects our common goal to strengthen the health workforce in regional areas, providing benefits to the local community for years to come.”

ENDS