Local Canberra patients will benefit from increased access to doctors, nurses and allied health workers with the announcement of almost $10 million in projects to improve clinical education and training infrastructure. Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon and Member for Canberra, Gai Brodtmann MP announced the projects and said the new facilities will deliver better health outcomes for Canberrans. The Gillard Government’s infrastructure projects are enabling us to train more doctors, nurses and allied health professionals in Canberra where we need them. Canberra is delivering a highly skilled health workforce that is the critical backbone of our health system.

Gai Brodtmann said this announcement will provide almost $10 million for vital infrastructure projects. These projects will support expansion of GP training facilities around Canberra. The Gillard Government is investing so that Canberrans can benefit from more doctors, nurses and allied health professionals.

This is a great result for our community and I look forward to seeing this new investment come online. Australia needs new clinical training facilities and accommodation to support all students in Canberra, she said.

The funding has been allocated to:

• $156,250 for the fit-out of a building at Kambah Village Medical Practice to provide space for additional clinical placement activity;
• $90,750 for the extension of a building at Isabella Planes Medical Centre to support expanded clinical training placements;
• $425,000 to purchase two suites adjoining the Annie Lim Family Practice to support expanded clinical training placements;
• $22,500 for the fit-out of an existing room at the BBSS Plaza Medical Centre to support increased clinical training placements;
• $15,140 for the refurbishment of a space at Calvary Retirement Village to provide a student learning facility;
• $3,384,135 for the purchasing of six two-bedroom apartments in central Canberra for student accommodation;
• $580,000 for the purchase and fit-out of a building on the site of the Interchange General Practice to support expanded clinical training placements;
• $4,335,329 for the extension of the University of Canberra University Clinic to act as a hub for clinical placements;
• and $115,000 for the refurbishment of existing facilities into a student education room and two dental clinics at the Community Health Centre located within the ACT Health building.