University of Newcastle welcomes NSW Government support for Central Coast health and well-being precinct

4 May 2016

The University of Newcastle (UON) has warmly welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement that it has earmarked $20 million for new health and medical education and research facilities for the Central Coast.
With partners, the university will continue to work with the Commonwealth to secure the balance of the required investment. If funding is secured, the transformational project will create a new centre of excellence in Gosford that will be regionally focused, and globally engaged.

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The proposed new Precinct will contain a Central Coast Medical School—based on UON’s existing medical school—and an affiliated Health and Medical Research Institute on the site of the redeveloping Gosford Hospital. These new facilities would deliver up to $72.5 million of capital investment to the Central Coast, and be a catalyst for enhanced integrated healthcare, research and innovation, and new opportunities for the whole region.
The project’s benefits include

  • economic impact of $209 million for the regional economy over 10 years.
  • 765 new jobs for the Central Coast.
  • a brand new health and medical education and research precinct delivering new regionally trained doctors, nurses and allied health practitioners.
  • a major boost to the Coast’s knowledge economy, retaining and attracting investment and talent to the region.

Reflecting on the University of Newcastle’s commitment to allocate 30 of its existing medical places to the project, and to invest up to $20 million capital, UON Vice-Chancellor Professor Caroline McMillen said the project was a boost for the Coast.
“We are delighted to welcome the NSW Government’s support for this project. UON has been the Central Coast’s university for 27 years, and we remain committed to building opportunity and driving innovation in the region.
“This new proposal is distinctive because it can deliver outcomes and benefits quickly: no new medical places are required, and UON already delivers excellent medical, nursing and allied health programs and conducts world-class research,” said Professor McMillen. Federal Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks MP, who has championed the project, said the announcement was fantastic news.

“I’ve been fighting for funding for two years for this medical research institute and medical school in Gosford. I’m so delighted the NSW Government has delivered,and I will keep fighting, whether it takes one year or 20 years, to see this opportunity become a reality.”
“This is about creating a region of world class excellence, aspiration and innovation on the Central Coast,” said Ms Wicks.
UON is ranked in the top 300 universities worldwide, and in the top 8 universities in Australia for funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). UON’s nursing discipline was ranked in the top 100 by QS World University Subject Rankings 2016.

University of Newcastle Nursing School

The University of Newcastle Nursing School has an innovative approach to undergraduate and graduate teaching, and enjoys close collaboration with local area health services in providing clinical learning experiences for students, in the provision of graduate programs and in the conduct of clinical research. The school strives to prepare and develop nurses to function in a wide range of clinical settings, occupational health facilities and rehabilitation services.
Program: Bachelor of Nursing
Location: Newcastle, New South Wales
Semester intake: February
Duration: 3 years
Application deadline: While there is no set application deadline candidates are encouraged to submit their applications before the end of September for the February intake.

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Find out more about studying nursing. Contact OzTREKK’s Australian Nursing Schools Admissions Officer Adam Smith at adam@oztrekk.com.

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