Central Coast medical school: Construction starts at Gosford Hospital
Construction has begun on the $72.5 million Central Coast Clinical School and Research Institute at Gosford. Find out what this groundbreaking new facility is all about.
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A Central Coast Research Institute located in Singapore, or New Zealand … “why not?” says incoming Research Institute director Dr Nick Goodwin.
Mr Goodwin was at today’s construction launch at the $72.5 million facility at the Central Coast Medical School and Research Institute.
The facility will be built on top of Gosford Hospital’s new multi-storey carpark.
The institute — funded by the federal and state governments and the University of Newcastle — includes a clinical school for educating and training doctors and nurses, and a research institute. It is expected to be up and running by 2021.
Mr Goodwin has relocated his family from Oxford in the UK to Avoca to take up his role as Central Coast Research Institute director. For the past 25 years he has worked in health services research, management and policy around the world.
He said the role was “really exciting”, with the partnership between the University and Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) — not to mention the facility right next door to the hospital.
“It’s such an advantage,” he said. “When you think about the translation from research to innovation, you are going to get immediate feedback. There’s so much opportunity for research and innovation here which doesn’t happen with other universities around the world.
“Something that can take 7-9 years to develop, we can do considerably quicker.
“The benefits could be immense. There’s something very special we are going to get up and running here.”
He said it will be interesting to see how the coast community reacts to the different ways of delivering services, along with the increase in jobs and educational opportunities.
“There’s a responsibility to do it right, not just build a traditional clinical school. We want to connect with the community.”
University of Newcastle senior deputy vice-chancellor Professor Kevin Hall said the facility was one step in a staged approach by the University to develop the region as a centre of excellence in education.
Earlier this year, the University announced a campus at Gosford which has already attracted $18 million funding from the federal government.
Prof Hall said the medical school would house 600-700 students with the aim to try new things to improve educational and health outcomes.
“Students who are training to become the next doctors, nurses and allied health clinicians will learn the most modern techniques and well-researched clinical practices, working alongside world leaders in their field,” he said.
“We will explore innovative ways to better co-ordinate care for key issues such as ageing, obesity, indigenous health, chronic disease and mental health. The Research Institute’s overall book-to-bedside goal is to improve people’s care experiences and outcomes in sustainable ways.”
CCLHD chief executive Dr Andrew Montague said the focus is on the wellbeing of the community, not just health and medicine.
“School students are going to see a place to have a career opportunity and pathway,” he said.
“Ideas generated here are going to change the future. Everyone is excited about making this happen.”
Robertson federal Liberal MP Lucy Wicks said the facility paved the way for the coast to become a leading medical region.
“It‘s just extraordinary,” she said.
“This is going to be a world leading institute. Someone of Nick Goodwin’s calibre doesn’t uproot his family and come to Gosford for nothing.
“This is a huge achievement for our region, boosting our local economy, creating more jobs for people on the Central Coast and giving our students the opportunity to study and live in Gosford.”
While many at the announcement said it was Ms Wick’s vision for the school and institute, she was quick to pay tribute to all stakeholders along with a committee that was formed 25 years ago which got the ball rolling.
“It’s been a giant jigsaw puzzle, that’s slowly been put together piece by piece,” she said.
MLC for the Central Coast Taylor Martin said students across the coast will be able to see the facility and know there is a future for them on the coast.
“For decades people have talked about this idea and now it’s finally happening,” he said.
“The facility will help attract and retain healthcare professionals, offering opportunities for training and clinical experience closer to home, while improving health outcomes through research conducted on site.”