Construction of the Central Coast Clinical School and Research Institute is officially complete, marked with a “handing over of the keys” ceremony held at Gosford Hospital today.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and State Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said control of the building has now been transferred from the NSW Government’s Health Infrastructure agency to the Central Coast Local Health District and the University of Newcastle.
“The dream of having a co-located Clinical School and Research Institute operating in our region is quickly becoming a reality, and staff will begin moving into the facilities next Monday,” Mr Crouch said.
Federal Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks said the Clinical School would provide 850 places for students to complete their nursing, midwifery and medicine degrees.
“In just 31 days’ time we will see the first students walk through the doors. This means local students will have more options to complete all levels of their education – primary, secondary and tertiary – right here on the Central Coast,” Ms Wicks said.
University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Alex Zelinsky said the new world-class facility features a physical containment level 2 lab (PC2) as well as anatomy, histology and molecular laboratories, three simulation wards and one simulation lab, a 100-person lectorial space, teaching spaces, a library, office space and ground level retail outlets.
“Our students will experience the best in clinical learning through the enduring partnership between University and Local Health District clinical experts who will be teaching and researching with students in this facility,” Professor Zelinsky said.
Chair of the Central Coast Local Health District Board Paul Tonkin said students would be able to build their clinical careers in a world-class learning and research environment close to home.
“The Research Institute, which stands alongside the Clinical School, will expand the opportunities we have on the Central Coast to undertake important research and continue to improve health care,” Mr Tonkin said.
The Central Coast Clinical School and Research Institute is an $85 million project jointly funded by the Australian Government, NSW Government and University of Newcastle.
With construction now complete, minor landscaping work is currently being undertaken, ahead of the first students arriving on 19 July.