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Media Release: Health Students GROW Rural in Central Queensland

01 July 2021

2021 Grow Rural Cq Blog Image

​From Friday 30 July to Sunday 1 August, 30 health students will jump on a bus and head out to immerse themselves into the Central Queensland communities of Woorabinda, Theodore and Moura. Participating in Health Workforce Queensland’s (HWQ) GROW Rural Central Queensland (GROW Rural CQ) program, the new cohort of first year health students are primed and ready to immerse themselves into GROW Rural CQ for the next 3 years.

GROW Rural is an initiative of HWQ, a not for profit, non-Government Rural Workforce Agency for primary health workforce in Queensland, focused on making sure remote, rural, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities have access to highly skilled health professionals when and where they need them, now and into the future.

The purpose of GROW Rural CQ is to provide medical, nursing, midwifery and allied health students the opportunity to visit rural communities, network with local health professionals, undertake clinical skill sessions and experience the rural lifestyle. GROW Rural CQ presents a unique experience for students to develop familiarity and a deeper understanding of the potentials of a professional and personal life they could have working in rural Queensland. It encourages health students to return to the communities for their clinical placements and to consider rural practice as a future opportunity!

HWQ CEO, Chris Mitchell said “I am thrilled that the health professionals, stakeholders and community members of Woorabinda, Moura and Theodore have embraced GROW Rural as a valuable program. It is so encouraging to see health students connecting to local health professionals and communities in the region. HWQ was impressed by the large number of applications received and looks forward to being part of the students GROW Rural journey over the next 3 years.”

During the 2021 GROW Rural CQ program, students will:

  • Be Welcomed onto Country and learn about the history and future of Woorabinda;

  • Enjoy hands on farm activities at the family owned Myella Farm Stay;

  • Participate in a Yarning Circle with local Elders in Theodore;

  • Talk with local health professionals and discover what inspired them to go rural;

  • Participate in clinical skill sessions in Moura;

  • Enjoy being welcomed and billeted with local families; and

  • Break down the barriers and perceptions of rural practice

GROW Rural is aligned to HWQ’s strategic plan, to develop a sustainable rural health workforce.

Notes:

Health Workforce Queensland's Vision is to ensure an optimal health workforce to enhance the health of Queensland communities.

To achieve this Vision, Our Purpose is to create sustainable health workforce solutions that meet the needs of remote, rural, regional and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities challenged by a supply shortage of health professionals.