30 July 2016
South Australia’s largest university, UniSA, and one of the State’s largest private health care providers, Calvary Health Care Adelaide, have joined forces to investigate the establishment of an unique “SA first” partnership to expand health education and research opportunities.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding, the two leading institutions will collaborate to explore the development of a new UniSA Clinical School – to be located initially at Calvary Wakefield Hospital in the Adelaide CBD before being relocated at the new $300 million Calvary Adelaide Hospital when it opens in early 2019.
The MOU consolidates existing relationships between UniSA and Calvary with the aim of delivering excellence in nursing care, allied health and education in South Australia.
Once endorsed, the private/public partnership will be the only one of its kind in SA.
It will support clinical training, including a Master of Science and a PhD (Research) in Medicine and Allied Health, plus a range of previously unavailable research fellowships and internships.
Unveiling the plans, UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd says the agreement will provide some of the most exciting research and educational opportunities in SA for post-graduate students wanting to build careers in medicine and medical research.
“This unique partnership will offer something special for students because they will be able to work side-by-side with top clinical specialists who have vast experience at that very point where research and practice meet,” Professor Lloyd says.
“We envision giving our students the opportunity to work with the most gifted doctors, specialists and nursing staff in a hospital that has built its reputation not only for excellence, but for patient-centred care.”
Professor Lloyd says UniSA plans to increase its engagement in allied health services with Calvary through the development of a state-of-the-art interdisciplinary allied health clinic at the new $300 million Calvary Adelaide Hospital in Angas Street, in the city.
Calvary already provides more than 47,000 experiential placement hours for UniSA students in nursing, podiatry, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
Calvary Wakefield Chief Executive Officer, Ms Juanita Ielasi, says the leading national health care group is excited to be working closely with UniSA to explore the viability and establishment of a unique clinical training facility at the hospital.
“This announcement signifies a potentially landmark and unique relationship for Calvary in South Australia,” Ms Ielasi says.
“Calvary has always prided itself on its excellence in health care delivery– it is fundamental to everything we do.
“The strengthening of our relationship with UniSA will only improve service delivery and excellence for our patients.
“Research shows that teaching hospitals generally deliver better health outcomes for patients.
“For our specialists in all fields, the ability to interact with students and pass on their skills and knowledge is especially important because it offers an opportunity to contribute on a broader scale and to analyse their own practice.
“UniSA has consistently been one of our closest partners in delivering practical health care education to new generations of nurses and health professionals and we are delighted to be able to extend that partnership to establish the new clinical school.”
MEDIA CONTACTS:
UniSA Calvary
Michèle Nardelli Sean Whittington
M: (0418) 823 67 (0412) 591 520
Michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au (08) 8234 9555
About Calvary
Founded by the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary, Calvary is a charitable, Catholic health care organisation operating in six of Australia’s States and Territories with 12,000 staff and volunteers. We have a special concern for those most vulnerable and those reaching the end of their life. For over 130 years Calvary has provided health, aged and community care in a range of settings, including public and private hospitals, residential aged care and the community. To find out more visit www.calvarycare.org.au
