• Charles Sturt to open training facilities at new medical centre in Orange
• Facilities will support the clinical training of students in upcoming joint medicine program
• New facilities reaffirm Charles Sturt’s commitment to rural and regional healthcare

Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) has announced plans to establish clinical training facilities at the new and highly-acclaimed Bloomfield Medical Centre in Orange.

The new facilities, which are located on the first level of the building, will support the training of students in the Charles Sturt and Western Sydney University Joint Program in Medicine.

Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann said the establishment of the new facilities in Orange is another step forward for rural and regional healthcare.

“The establishment of the new training facilities at the medical centre reflects Charles Sturt University’s commitment to improving healthcare in rural and regional areas through training,” Professor Vann said.

“The new facilities will support the clinical education and placements of students in the Joint Program in Medicine to ensure the University trains highly skilled medical professionals ready to meet the healthcare needs of regional and rural Australians.”

Professor Vann said the decision to establish the University’s training facilities at Orange’s newest medical centre was intentional, so the University can maximise and expand on the opportunities the centre and its location provides.

“The opportunity to house our training facilities in Orange’s newest medical centre, which is co-located with the Orange Health Service, a leading regional medical facility, will strengthen the University’s engagement with the medical profession," Professor Vann said.

“The new medical centre will also provide our staff and students with access to state-of-the-art facilities and clinical trainers.”

The Forest Road site for the new facilities, across from Orange Health Service, which is the largest regional facility outside metropolitan Sydney and Newcastle, was secured through negotiations with the building’s developers, Frank O’Halloran AM of James Richmark Pty Ltd in association with Zauner Construction.

Mr O’Halloran said he is most pleased with the way the entire facility has been received and anticipates the Bloomfield Medical Centre will be fully leased upon its completion.

“I am excited by the University’s decision to join the new Bloomfield Medical Centre in Orange, and to see what this will do for medical education in the region” he said.

The Bloomfield Medical Centre (pictured) comprises of six levels over 13,000 square metres and will include state-of-the-art operating theatres, a hospital ward, a wide range of medical specialists, as well as facilities for general practitioners, imaging and pathology. Also included is a pharmacy and café.

Charles Sturt will move into level one of the facility during the first half of 2020. The first intake of students in the Joint Program in Medicine will commence in 2021.

Construction of the program’s Academic and Research Hub at the University’s campus in Orange is scheduled to begin in October.