Bendigo opens new clinical skills centre
Professor Christina Mitchell and Professor Judi Walker unveil the painting and plaque marking the opening of the new clinical skills centre.
Bendigo’s new Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre was officially opened by the Dean, Professor Christina Mitchell, in late September.
The $1.2 million centre incorporates a simulated two-bed ward, a “sim gym” for learning and practising specific clinical skills, and a high fidelity suite which includes a sophisticated Sim Man which can be programmed to simulate a range of complex health conditions. The centre also includes control rooms, briefing rooms and the ability to stream a simulation into the auditorium.
In the spirit of collaborative training, the new centre will be used by medical students from Monash University and the University of Melbourne; nursing, paramedic and allied health students from La Trobe University; and nursing students from Bendigo TAFE, as well as practising health professionals.
For students and Bendigo health professionals it’s ideally placed on the health education and research precinct near the new hospital development, but will also include an outreach program to health services outside Bendigo.
The new Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre is funded jointly by Health Workforce Australia, as an Australian Government initiative, and the Victorian Department of Health.
Cathy Driver runs a simulation from the control room of the hi-fidelity suite.