APPROVAL for a medical school at Charles Sturt University could be just months away, according to the university’s advisor, Professor John Dwyer.
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Advocates for the medical school, designed to boost doctor numbers in the bush, have welcomed a meeting planned with NSW health minister Jillian Skinner as the next step towards making the training facility a reality.
In a formal letter to CSU, Ms Skinner invited the university to start negotiations with the government on student numbers, medical training requirements and infrastructure for the medical school.
While final approval for the school rests with federal health minister Tanya Plibersek, the letter from Ms Skinner was “fantastic news”, according to Professor Dwyer.
“Both the university and I went and spoke to the government and we got a very warm reception,” he said.
“It’s obviously an important move for the NSW Government to be supporting it.”
CSU’s director of corporate affairs Mark Burdack said the Federal Government had made it clear State Government support for the school was essential.
“Because medical training is undertaken in hospitals [the NSW Government] plays a critical role in making available training spaces,” he said.
He said the university would now develop a curriculum model for the school and take the plans to the NSW health minister. Professor Dwyer again reiterated the importance of community support to get the medical school off the ground after a two-year campaign.
“With 25,000 supporters and growing ... the Central West community is putting the pressure on the government,” he said.
“The real decision is made in Canberra by the health minister and that’s where we have to direct our attention.”
Ms Jillian Skinner would not say if she supported the push for a medical school at CSU.
“While the university’s proposal for a new medical school is innovative and includes clinical placement opportunities in general practice, public and private facilities, NSW does not have jurisdiction over the establishment of new medical schools or the allocation of Commonwealth-supported places,” she said.
