Rural health service and University of Melbourne partnership brings new allied health students to the region

Allied health students are helping to provide a unique service to older adults in the Beaufort and Skipton area in southwestern Victoria.

Four Victorian universities, including the University of Melbourne’s Department of Rural Health Going Rural Health program as well as Monash, La Trobe and Deakin universities, received Commonwealth funding to expand student placements in aged care at Beaufort and Skipton Health Service. The project is led by Monash Rural Health.

This builds on a nine-year partnership between Going Rural Health and Beaufort Skipton Health Service to increase allied health student placement opportunities within the health service.

“Beaufort and Skipton Health Service has created an environment where students and health professionals are continually learning,” Lauren Woodhart, from Going Rural Health, at the University of Melbourne, said.

The funding boost enabled additional student placements and professional development for staff in dementia, palliative care, sexual health, cultural training and nursing for the older person.

Rosie Nicholson, from Going Rural Health at the University of Melbourne, said: “Hosting students under the supervision of experienced supervisors not only enhances the education of students and staff, but also provides residents and patients with an elevated level of care.

“These placements strengthen the service delivery, improve outcomes and support the health and wellbeing of the local community.”

In 2024 Beaufort and Skipton Health Service hosted:

• Twelve physiotherapy students
• Four occupational therapy students
• Two optometry students
• One social work student

There have been numerous benefits to the community including reduced waitlists and improved access to much-needed services.

Significantly, optometry services for aged care residents was successfully piloted through student placements in 2024.

University of Melbourne Doctor of Physiotherapy student,  Olivia, said: “I chose to do a rural placement here in Beaufort because I felt like I wanted to challenge myself and try something new. Everyone’s very grateful that we’re here and willing to have a chat and let us students have a hands-on experience.”

Beaufort and Skipton Health Service was a national top three finalist in the 2024 Local Hero Award from the Australian Collaborative Education Network (ACEN), noting the contribution to students’ education and opportunities being over and above the expectation of a small organisation.

“Often, allied health students come in having no experience in rural health. By the end of their placement, they don a big smile having a new sense of confidence in navigating rural health and improving consumer outcomes. Their experience is so rewarding to be part of,” Kim Stevens, Learning and Development Manager, Beaufort and Skipton Health Service, said.

The Beaufort and Skipton Health Service partnership with Going Rural Health will continue in 2025 and is supported by the four universities and the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training program.