Larger wards, more hospital beds, and high-tech realistic 'patients' are helping rural nursing and midwifery students fine-tune their clinical skills as part of UniSA's newly refurbished Horizon Hospital and Health Service (HHHS).
Designed as a teaching hospital, the Whyalla-based HHHS will relaunch on Friday 10 May, opening its doors and facilities to students and the clinical community.
The Whyalla HHHS provides nursing and midwifery students with access to a simulated hospital environment where students develop their skills and confidence in preparation for safe and competent industry-based practice.
The unveiling of the updated facility this week coincides with International day of the Midwife on May 5 and International Nurses Day on Sunday 12 May.
Purpose-built, the HHHS training space presents an authentic hospital experience with wards, clinical units and community areas that are led by practising nurses and midwives.
The upgrades comprise: increased hospital beds on the nursing ward, bedside computers at each station, new handwashing troughs with sensor taps, additional oxygen and suction systems, storage and supply areas, a new medical safe and fridge for controlled dispense of medications, new furnishings, flooring and painting throughout, and new ceiling-mounted camera systems for assessment.
Louise McGee, UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences Technical Officer at the HHHS, says that the new facilities will allow students to gain first-class clinical experiences in Whyalla.
"Providing nursing and midwifery students with realistic learning experiences is vital for developing their skills and building their confidence," McGee says.
"The new HHHS facilities and upgrades ensure that our regional students have the same top-tier facilities available to them as their city counterparts.
"The increase in beds and equipment will accommodate larger class sizes and allow students to work in pairs (instead of groups) so that they have increased opportunities to learn cognitive and psychomotor skills required for clinical practice."
Australia has more than 450,000 registered nurses and midwives, making them the largest clinical workforce nation-wide.
UniSA Executive Dean of Clinical and Health Sciences Professor Tracy Humphrey says that as demand for regional nursing and midwifery rises, the upgraded teaching hospital will better cater to students in Whyalla and surrounds.
"Training, attracting and keeping a professional nursing and midwifery workforce in the regions is a priority for South Australia," Prof Humphrey says.
"The newly refurbished HHHS presents an attractive opportunity for local students to study nursing and midwifery in first class facilities.
"Not only will this improve teaching experiences, but also enable students to remain in the regions as they study closer to home.
"Staying local is a key component of maintaining a strong health workforce in country areas. By upgrading our HHHS we're investing in rural communities and supporting them to build a strong nursing and midwifery workforce."
Notes for editors:
- A suite of photographs is available.
- YouTube video available of teaching hospital: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYzyC2CCGqE
