Landmark deal makes Queensland a global leader in health education

Published Sunday, 03 February, 2019 at 08:00 AM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services
The Honourable Steven Miles

Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and Minister for the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Kate Jones

The future leaders of China’s rapidly-growing $1 trillion healthcare system will receive advanced training by Queensland experts under a landmark deal announced by the Palaszczuk Government today.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said experts from TAFE and 13 universities across the state will be paid by China to train their doctors and allied health providers under the government’s newAssist Chinese Healthcare Reform project.

“We have some of the best hospitals, universities and healthcare experts in the world,” she said.

“This is about sharing our expertise in healthcare and converting it into economic growth and new jobs for Queenslanders.

“There are significant opportunities for Queensland in this space - the global health sector is tipped to be worth more than $11 trillion by 2020.

“Over the next ten years the Chinese doctors training programs will be generate at least $50 million dollars for our hospitals and universities.

“The 2-3-week training courses for not only doctors but senior and mid-level hospital administrators, specialists and GP’s, will be offered across a whole range of medical disciplines.

“By activating Queensland Health’s agreements with Zhejiang and Sichuan Provincial Health Commissions and the Government and Consortium member’s relationships with Shanghai and Guangdong, this project will deliver a series of onshore and offshore programs to provide expert knowledge about Australia’s health systems, clinical education and clinical care practices.

”Backed by funding from Trade and Investment Queensland’s (TIQ) International Education and Training Partnership Fund, a new Queensland Healthcare Professional Development Consortium will be responsible for the professional development and education of international healthcare professionals."

In April, the Consortiums members plan to identify training opportunities in three provinces of China (Guangdong, Shanghai and Zhejiang) with the first Chinese medics coming here for advanced studies next year.

Innovation Minister and Ministerial Champion for International Education Kate Jones said the Consortium would first provide bespoke training courses in Queensland and later training courses are expected to be delivered in China as well.

“Major reforms in China in the areas of preventative healthcare, community care and aged care are driving demand for Queensland’s expertise,” she said.

“We have the experts in these areas that China – and many other countries – do not.

“International education is currently worth more than $4 billion to Queensland every year. It’s already our second largest service export. But we know that if we can tap into the global demand for training in the healthcare sector, the sky is the limit.”

Health Minister Steven Miles said the Consortium included Queensland Health, seven Queensland Universities and TAFE Queensland.

The investment of $297,000 by TIQ will be matched by the consortium partners.

“We know Queensland has some of the best healthcare professionals in the world. This project will also raise Queensland’s reputation for being at the cutting edge of new health science and technology,” he said.
 
“We know from experience just how important collaboration is when it comes to great healthcare. This project will also create new research opportunities for our experts – a great win for our health system.”

The seven participating universities include:

  • Queensland University of Technology
  • Griffith University
  • University of Queensland
  • James Cook University
  • University of the Sunshine Coast
  • University of Southern Queensland
  • Bond University

Queensland providers are especially well positioned thanks to the State’s existing close relationships with China, including the strong Queensland Government relationship with the Shanghai and Guangdong Provinces and Queensland Health’s agreements with Zhejiang and Sichuan Provincial Health Commissions.

The Consortium Chair- QUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Sheppard said the project neatly brings together international education and training with the huge potential of the global healthcare sector.

“The opportunities are enormous and we are delighted to have received the support of TIQ to pursue the potential," he said.

The three-year project will begin in January 2019, with the first training program to start in early 2020.

ENDS

ENDS Media contact: Jack Harbour 0419 620 447