General News
6 March, 2023
Premier Daniel Andrews opens new Maryborough Hospital student accommodation
Bridging the gap in health education, Maryborough hosted Premier Daniel Andrews last week as he unveiled the newly developed $4 million accommodation in town for healthcare students. The Maryborough District Health Service’s (MDHS) 20-bed student...
Bridging the gap in health education, Maryborough hosted Premier Daniel Andrews last week as he unveiled the newly developed $4 million accommodation in town for healthcare students.
The Maryborough District Health Service’s (MDHS) 20-bed student accommodation building, on the corner of Clarendon and Nightingale streets, is now officially open after construction works started in February 2022.
Funded through the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund, the $4 million development provides a space for students to stay during training and work placements.
“I’m delighted to be [in Maryborough] to officially open this new student accommodation building — [it was] really a big missing link in medical nursing and allied health education for this local community and [is now] a great model for many other communities as we look to the future,” Premier Andrews said.
“What this means is that we’ve got students who are able to get the accommodation they need close to where they are working, close to where they are training.
“It means that literally thousands of clinical placement days are going to be so much easier and can be delivered here — what we know is if you train in regional Victoria, you’re much more likely to work in regional Victoria.
“Hopefully, the students fall in love with Maryborough and this local district and are back to provide care and support to patients who need it most.”
The new student accommodation builds on the planned $100 million redevelopment and expansion of Maryborough’s hospital.
“We’re delivering the biggest infrastructure project in Maryborough history — creating more local jobs and giving local families access to the world-class healthcare they deserve,” Premier Andrews said.
Although the accommodation officially opened its doors last Friday, the space has already been put to use with 17 rooms currently occupied by students.
Currently in his third year of medicine at Deakin University, Ryan Buhagiar has been living in the building since the start of February.
“I’m spending the year here and it’s been a great location and centre where I can feel grounded. I can come, feel comfortable and live and immerse myself in the community,” he said.
“It is all really important because I’m considering being a rural doctor and all that contributes to my experience and my motivation to come back to Maryborough and practice when I do graduate.”
MDHS CEO Nickola Allan said the benefits gained from the new accommodation will be felt by the community.
“To finally see it open, up and running and our students thriving and flourishing in this place is fantastic — it’s a great day for MDHS,” she said.
“We’ve got an additional 20 students staying and living locally which means they’re shopping here, having dinner out in our restaurants, engaging with sporting teams and that long-term prospect of actually living and working in the community will have a positive impact on the town.
“We know that if we continue to invest in out students and invest in their experience, they will come back.”
