March 2009
On 29 November 2008 the Council of Australian Governments announced a plan to establish a National Clinical Placements Agency (`the Agency'). Universities Australia commends the Government for its emphasis on clinical education of health students as part of the broader implementation of a national health workforce strategy.
Aspects of clinical education policy have been working well. These include the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) initiatives to encourage more clinicians to accept undergraduate student placements and the University Department of Rural Health (UDRH) and the Rural Clinical School (RCS) Programs, which enable greater numbers of health students gain clinical training experience away from their metropolitan bases. However, more needs to be done so that the expected increased numbers of health students can obtain the clinical education experience they require in ways that optimise the quality and location of services they ultimately deliver.
A correctly established and adequately funded Agency will alleviate many of the issues and concerns currently experienced by those involved in clinical education. Universities Australia is pleased to work with the Commonwealth and other agencies on this important matter.
Universities Australia understands that responsibility for developing the details of the new Agency's structure and role has been given via the Health Workforce Principals' Committee (HWPC) to the National Health Workforce Taskforce (NHWT). The NHWT has been tasked with producing a framework for the new Agency by April 2009. As part of its work it has undertaken a number of stakeholder meetings throughout January and February this year focussed primarily on governance and data management issues.
Universities Australia has been involved in the NHWT consultations through individual university participation and more formally through our Clinical Placements Advisory Group (CPAG).
To read the full submission, download the PDF below.
