STAFF WRITERS
FEDERATION University Australia is boosting allied health services in Gippsland while giving students critical hands-on training, with the opening of its community wellness clinic at the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre (GRAC) in Traralgon.
The clinic is delivering face-to-face physiotherapy appointments to the public, provided by third and fourth-year physiotherapy students under the guidance of experienced clinical educators, helping to ease the pressure on regional health services.
The student-led clinic can assist with musculoskeletal injuries, post-operative rehabilitation, breathing issues, arthritis and joint pain, along with chronic pain management, among other mobility-related health issues.
Federation University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley said the clinic would be an asset to the Latrobe Valley.
“Federation University is responding to the urgent demand for allied health professionals in our regional communities by training our students where they are needed most,” he said.
“The community wellness clinic is giving students clinical experience in their own communities where they develop critical assessment, treatment, communication and collaboration skills while easing the pressure on local health services.”
Established with funding from the state government’s Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund and Regional Skills Fund, in partnership with Latrobe City Council, the clinic aims to reduce wait times and support early intervention by connecting Gippslanders with care.
“We’re proud to have supported the establishment of the allied health faculty at Federation University, and it’s wonderful to see the program doing what it was designed to do,” Minister for Regional Development Michaela Settle said.
“Happy, healthy communities are the backbone of thriving regional economies, and this clinic will help keep people living their best lives, both at work and at home.”
Latrobe City Council Mayor, Sharon Gibson, is excited to commence the partnership.
“Latrobe City Council is proud to partner with Federation University to deliver the community wellness clinic at the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre,” she said.
“The student-led physiotherapy clinic shows how when you combine education, government and community together, you can achieve much better benefits for our Latrobe City community.
“These services are easily accessible and make it simpler for people to stay active by managing their injuries earlier to maintain their overall health and wellbeing, while providing the students with much-needed experience for our future allied health workforce.”
Federation University is seeking community feedback on expanding services at the clinic to further address demand for allied health across the region and support students with local placement opportunities.
Healthcare providers, allied health professionals, students, community organisations and the general public are invited to attend a meeting at GRAC (49 Breed Street, Traralgon) on Tuesday, May 5 at 1.30pm, or online at 10am on Thursday, May 7.
To register, visit: https://surveys.federation.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_0BVeuiT8juoTTZI
To access the community wellness clinic, visit: www.federation.edu.au/forms/gippsland-wellness-centre-referral, email: cwcreception@federation.edu.au, or phone 5122 6002.
