Dear Students
As some of you may be aware, the State Government has released a consultation paper, Transforming Health, containing proposals for the restructure of healthcare services across metropolitan Adelaide.
The proposals, if implemented in full, would have implications for all of Adelaide’s three public universities. In the case of Flinders University, the main impacts would be on the location of clinical teaching and placements at the Repatriation General Hospital (RGH), the Flinders Medical Centre, and Noarlunga Health Services.
Flinders University is the fastest growing university in South Australia, and our graduates are major contributors to the health professional workforce. The Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences remains committed to the ongoing provision of its degree courses, research and the clinical placements that are acore part of the Flinders experience.
As you know, the Repatriation General Hospital is a major site for clinical placements for Flinders students and is also home to many of our teaching and research innovations. Over the past four years, Flinders University researchers at RGH have attracted more than $75 million in research funding to South Australia.
Understandably, many of you have expressed concern about the future location of clinical teaching services and the possible impacts on research activities.
First and foremost, you can be assured that none of the changes proposed would take effect until late 2016 and so it will be business as usual until then. In the meantime, the University will respond to the Government’s consultation document, emphasising the absolute requirement that the clinical teaching and research needs of all Flinders students are taken into account in any future implementation plan.
Please be assured that the Transforming Health agenda will not prevent the University from meeting the course requirements of your degree, including clinical placements, training and education.
If you have any questions about how Transforming Health may impact on your course I encourage you to talk with the academic and professional staff in your area.
Flinders University is committed to continuing its excellent working relationship with the South Australian Government to ensure the best outcome for healthcare and health and medical research for South Australia, for Flinders University and for the communities we serve.
Professor Colin Stirling
Vice-Chancellor
Flinders University