The $1 million Rural Allied Health Educator Pilot Program a joint venture between NSW Health and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), is boosting student placements in Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD), helping build a pipeline of allied health clinicians in regional and rural NSW.
In MLHD, there have been 150 allied health student placements since the introduction of the Rural Allied Health Educator Pilot Program. The program is enticing allied health students to stay and take up full time roles in rural, regional and remote locations.
A survey of students participating in the program found prior to commencing placement only 56.2 per cent were interested in working for NSW Health in a rural area as a graduate.
Following completion of placement, 85 per cent were more interested in working for NSW Health in a rural area as an allied health graduate and 95 per cent of students were satisfied with their placement experience and would recommend a rural placement to other students.
Allied health clinical placements typically take 4-6 weeks and give students experience across a range of clinical areas relevant to their profession. The program includes occupational therapy, speech pathology, social work, dietetics and exercise physiology students.
The allied health educators directly supervise allied health students, as well as work with universities to coordinate student placements and support other allied health clinicians to increase student placement opportunities in regional NSW.
Speech Pathologist Katie Vernon completed her allied health student placement at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital in 2024 and enjoyed it so much she applied for a graduate position. Katie made the move from Sydney to Wagga Wagga in February and is settling into her new role at the hospital and her new community.
The Pilot Program is a joint venture between NSW Health and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development across Hunter New England, Western NSW, Far West, Murrumbidgee and Southern NSW Local Health Districts (LHDs).
DPIRD has invested $1 million per year over three years into the Rural Allied Health Educator Program.
For further information visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/workforce/alliedhealth/Pages/professions.aspx
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:
"Staffing is one of the most critical issues we face in the healthcare system, and in regional, rural and remote locations that problem is amplified.
"I am really proud a program like this is having great results at encouraging allied health students to take up a rewarding role in the bush.
"The Minns Labor Government is committed to boosting our allied health workforce by increasing training and education pathways for students in rural and regional NSW."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty:
"We support the Rural Allied Health Educator Program through funding these important regional allied health workforces.
"Getting essential workers into regional NSW is a major focus of the Government and this program plays a role in that plan.
"The students also have the opportunity to participate in The Welcome Experience while on placement.
"The Welcome Experience is a service which provides essential workers the support they need to make the move into live and work in regional communities by assisting them to get to know the local area and people first.
Quotes attributable to Member for Murray, Helen Dalton:
"The Rural Allied Health Educator Pilot Program is a government initiative that genuinely delivers.
"It's essential that we motivate health care workers to build their lives in rural areas.
"This program shows students that they can have a bright and productive future when they work in rural areas."
Quotes attributable to Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr:
"This is a great example of how collaboration between the health and education sectors can drive recruitment in rural and regional health.
"It also demonstrates how different sectors can work with the community to fill critical gaps, such as can happen with the Murrumbidgee Health and Knowledge Precinct.
"We have workforce shortages across the board in health, but this boost to allied health recruitment is a good development as we work towards providing the dedicated professionals that rural and regional communities deserve, and I acknowledge the government for its work in this area."
Quotes attributable to Allied Health Educator (Speech Pathology), Melinda Hewitt:
"Regional and rural health has so much to offer, and we love to welcome students and graduates. We invest in them, and they are a valued part of our team.
"It's important for students to come out to regional areas and experience the high standard of healthcare we provide. They can see the advantages of working rurally, such as the broad scope of practice, opportunities for professional development and the lifestyle.
"Students are having a great experience, and they are going back and telling their friends. Before this program we struggled to get applicants for allied health roles, now we have no problem filling positions."
Quotes attributable to Allied Health Graduate (Speech Pathology), Katie Vernon:
"With a student placement at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital you're not just a student, you're part of the team. Everyone was so welcoming and supportive; I loved it straight away and I was excited to go back and tell my fellow students about my experience.
"Having an educator like Melinda to provide clinical supervision and support me through my final student placement ensured that I was confident and ready for a smooth transition into a new graduate role.
"I have only been here for a few weeks, but I am already amazed at how broad my caseload is - from paediatric feeding to medical imaging, as well as working out in the community providing services close to home for our patients."
