UNSW Rural Clinical School - Port Macquarie Campus
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UNSW Rural Clinical School
Contacts and Campus Information
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Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie Campus
The Rural Clinical School Campus
Location
The City
Attractions and Recreational Activities
Clinical Experience
Phase 2
Phase 3
Library and Computer Facilities
The Rural Clinical School Campus
The Port Macquarie campus of Rural Clinical School is located at 1-31 Wrights Road, (Entry via Highfield Circuit) Port Macquarie within the precinct of the Port Macquarie Base Hospital. The campus originally opened within the Base Hospital in February 2002, with the hospital having been involved in medical education for over 25 years. The campus moved to new premises at 1-31 Wrights Road in October 2007. The new building is a state of the art medical training facility with lecture rooms, videoconferencing facilities, skills laboratories and computer/reading room for students. Students should be aware that there is no University accommodation in Port Macquarie and that the local public transport is well below metropolitan standard. Students seeking attachments in Port Macquarie will have to find accommodation in the general rental market and should preferably have personal transport. The campus will give every assistance in finding accommodation.
Location
Port Macquarie is on the Mid North Coast 420km north of Sydney (4 to 5 hours by car). Qantaslink has regular flights and Virgin Blue has recently added Port Macquarie to its timetable. Country Link rail stops at nearby Wauchope with a connecting bus to Port Macquarie. It is bypassed by the Pacific Highway and sits approximately half way between Brisbane and Sydney.
The population is approximately 65,000, which swells to over 100,000 during the holiday seasons.
The City
Port Macquarie offers students a chance to discover a beautiful area of New South Wales. In recent years Port Macquarie has become one of the centres of highest population growth on the coast with the demographic shift out of the cities. Port Macquarie has a legendary climate and beautiful beaches. Southern Cross and Newcastle Universities also have a presence in Port Macquarie.
Attractions and Recreational Activities
Outdoor activities include bushwalking, hang gliding, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, tennis, golf, and of course, surfing. The town also has many restaurants and the region is surrounded by some of Australia’s finest vineyards. There are cinemas showing the latest movies, as well as live shows and art galleries with plenty to see and enjoy. A visit to the tourist information centre is a must for all new arrivals
Clinical Experience
Port Macquarie campus provides opportunities for extended study in Phase 2 and Phase 3. There is an extensive and varied medical workforce in Port Macquarie with over 100 doctors in the Division of General Practice supported by over 50 specialists covering all major disciplines. An enthusiastic team of specialists and general practitioners has been recruited to run the training program. Port Macquarie has many Community Health Clinics and two modern hospitals, which are extensively equipped with first-rate facilities and staff, giving students a chance to work in both private and public hospitals. Port Macquarie Base Hospital has 161 beds and is accredited for the training of Registrars and Residents in all major specialities, the private hospital has 84 beds.
Phase 2
The current allocation of students for Phase 2 is six per Rural Clinical School campus. The program begins in TP1 and runs for four terms.
In 2008 the program in Port Macquarie will start with Society and Health followed by Beginnings, Growth and Development, Ageings & Endings, and finally Health Maintenance.
Phase 3
Phase 3 is a two year program comprising 10 eight week modules delivered in Yr V and Yr VI. The UNSW Faculty requirements mandate that:-
Medicine and Surgery are to be delivered in Year 5
The elective term is taken in STP in Year 6
The PreIntern term will follow the exams in Year 6.
There will be a Biomedical Program in Year 5
For 2008 the Port Macquarie program will be:-
Yr V - Women’s Health, Primary Care, Medicine, Surgery and Critical Care
Yr VI - Elective, Mental Health, Children’s Health, Selective and Pre-Intern
The combination of small student numbers, enthusiastic teachers, and a good spectrum of clinical cases make the campus an ideal place for Phase 3, preparation for internship and life beyond.
For more information about Phase 2 and Phase 3 at Port Macquarie please contact the Campus Coordintor
Dr. Alexander McColl
Library and Computer Facilities
The hospital with the support of Rural Clinical School, has developed an Education Unit, with a number of lecture and seminar rooms equipped for multimedia presentations. The library has an extensive collection of textbooks and journals in accordance with the recommendations of the Postgraduate Medical Council.
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Contact
Janis Dick
PO Box 5596
PORT MACQUARIE NSW 2444
T
(02) 6580 7511
F
(02) 6580 7500
E
j.dick@unsw.edu.au
Useful Links
Hastings Council
Hastings Macleay Division of General Practice
