Only the beginning: Facility an enormous benefit to Parkes and region

Some said it couldn't be done. But here we are, gestured Dr Kerrie Stewart who is the Head of Campus of the Central West Clinical School that's based in Parkes. The doctor was referring to training medical students to become doctors outside of a city centre. The clinical school, that's run through Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Rural Medicine, has been in Parkes for three years now but it hasn't had a facility to call its own. That is until now. Thanks to a partnership that's being described as groundbreaking, between Evolution Mining Northparkes Operations and CSU, a fully equipped facility has been developed in Currajong Street to allow regional medical students to be trained as doctors without having to leave regional areas - areas that so desperately need more doctors. The project's purpose is to create a pipeline of doctors for the Central West and provide more access to healthcare for the entire community. A lack of doctors is all too familiar for Parkes and Northparkes Operations General Manager Rob Cunningham said they wanted to help. "Over 30 years Northparkes has been here in Parkes and the persistent challenge over that time for staff and our community is accessing a doctor," he said. When the rural doctors program was seeking a space to train in, Mr Cunningham said Evolution Mining had an appetite to help with a solution. Naming it the ‘Heart of Parkes’ the grand opening of the new premises at 24-28 Currajong Street was held on 1 July, in the company of Evolution and Northparkes staff, dignitaries, local businesses and organisations, CSU School of Rural Medicine representatives and the now 12 medical students involved in the doctors program. What was first the Department of Main Roads, then the Parkes Business Enterprise Centre and afterwards leased office space for businesses, the building has been transformed and fitted-out to accommodate the medical students with a simulation lab, tutorial room with interactive features, multipurpose room to practise clinical skills, office space and student facilities such as a kitchen and loungeroom. The building will also be home to the new Northparkes Operations town office with a board room, 12 hot desks and a purpose-built training centre, as well as the Evolution Group Hub. The refurbishment was completed in about four months thanks to the hard work and long hours devoted by more than 20 local tradies, which means the economic investment of the building has gone back into the local community. Mr Cunningham had 1 July locked in as the official opening because he was determined to see it open and operating on his last day before retirement. The idea for the facility came after conversations that initially began between Northparkes and Parkes Shire Council in Cooke Park in March last year about health in regional NSW. Mr Cunningham said Northparkes was able to provide the facility but it was CSU and Dr Stewart who really brought it all together. "Everyone plays their part," he said. "I really think this is groundbreaking as a facility and this is an idea that can be replicated in other rural communities throughout Australia. “This is an example of how other government areas can leverage businesses that have the capability to recreate this model. "This is not just someone throwing money at something, this is a long-term sustainable partnership working with CSU to create a pipeline of doctors in the Central West for the future." Mr Cunningham said Northparkes had some staff with spouses who are doctors but who aren't able to practise yet and this program could benefit them. Dean of the School of Rural Medicine Professor Lesley Forster said Parkes played a big part in bringing the Central West Clinical School to town through lobbying and consultation. "The whole idea of it is that we find people with a rural background, we bring them into the medical school where we teach them in a local rural community for all of their clinical training, and then they graduate and... hopefully stay in the local community," she said. Dr Stewart thanked Council for their ongoing support that initially began with offering students accommodation when they first arrived in Parkes. "Kent Boyd (general manager) was really instrumental in putting us together (Northparkes and CSU), I'd like to thank Council once again for your vision and your logistical support - so accommodation, connections, just always providing support to us, so that's how this came about," she said. "It's nothing short of amazing for us, it's a game-changer." Of the 12 medical students in the program, four of them come from Parkes. "We're bringing medicine to them, so to speak, so they can pursue medicine and reside here, and stay here long term," Dr Stewart said. Parkes Mayor Neil Westcott said the facility and partnership between Northparkes and CSU School of Rural Medicine was a foot in the door. "Perhaps a very little foot in a very big door but it matters," he said. "Times have changed, we as a community need something like this. "From little things big things do grow." State Member for Orange Phil Donato said we hear everyday the struggle people have to access health services and GPs. "You can train in the bush, live in the bush and have a rewarding career in the bush," he said.