Goldfields University Department of Rural Health (UDRH)

About the Goldfields UDRH

The Goldfields UDRH is one of 19 UDRHs in Australia, funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Health and Aged Care via the RHMT program, giving you the opportunity to train in rural and remote communities. The Goldfields UDRH operates in collaboration with the WA Country Health Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service Western Operations, and aims to strengthen the recruitment and retention of nursing and allied health professionals in the Goldfields regional footprint.

The Goldfields UDRH exists to:

• Deliver high-quality, enriching placements for domestic nursing and allied health students
• Facilitate rewarding, immersive experiences in rural locations for placement students
• Foster interprofessional learning that promotes collaborative care practices, vital for maximising rural health care outcomes
• Provide education focusing on Aboriginal health and wellbeing, as well as appropriate healthcare for Aboriginal communities
• Partner with Goldfields health providers, organisations to identify and support clinical placement opportunities
• Develop local pathways into health science careers, and ultimately provide in-place health science degrees

Student placements

Rural and remote clinical placements provide opportunities to expand your skills, immerse yourself in varied communities, and broaden your horizons. They can amplify your professional development, build confidence and fast track your career. The Goldfields UDRH offers accommodation and financial support, interprofessional learning opportunities, cultural education, on-site academic and wellbeing support, community engagement activities and more.

Supporting local health professionals

Become a clinical supervisor and enhance the quality of healthcare and healthcare education in the Goldfields region. The Goldfields UDRH offers specialised training, tools and resources to ensure a positive placement experience, both for clinicians and students.

Rural health research

The Goldfields UDRH undertakes research that contributes to the generation of local evidence; to the wider rural and remote research community; and to the Goldfields. Located in a region that is largely Modified Monash Model 7 [MMM7] and therefore, under-represented in Australian health and social care research, the UDRH leverages its proximity to these rural and remote communities to generate research that has a uniquely high level of understanding, and supports the enhancement of health and wellbeing for those living in the region.

Current research topics include how to improve access to and receipt of evidence-based care within the health and social care system for those living in these communities, especially those who are First Nations, and those who live with both clinical and social complexity. The UDRH aims to be collaborative in all its research and evaluation activities, and welcomes interest from sector stakeholders on new and innovative ways to collaborate and partner.