Published Wednesday, 16 May, 2007 at 04:49 PM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
New doctorate degree to boost Queensland’s physiotherapy ranks
A new Doctor of Physiotherapy degree at Bond University will help overcome a shortage of qualified physiotherapists in Queensland, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.
Mr Robertson officially launched the new degree at Bond University’s faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine.
He said Australia’s first entry-level Doctor of Physiotherapy degree would start in January 2008.
“Physiotherapist are in strong demand across Australia and this need is likely to increase as the population ages and health services focus more on prevention and rehabilitation services,” Mr Robertson said.
“Queensland Health currently employs 650 physiotherapists but we need more.
“Increasing the recruitment pool for qualified physiotherapists will benefit all of Queensland.
“The two-year course will produce ‘work ready’ graduates with theoretical knowledge and extensive clinical experience.
“Applicants are required to have completed a biological sciences degree and pre-requisite subjects such as anatomy, biomechanics and physiology.”
Mr Robertson also visited Robina Hospital to inspect progress on construction of the new emergency department and intensive care/coronary care unit.
“This $40 million project is part of our election commitment to open an extra 179 beds at Robina Hospital; increasing the hospital’s capacity to 364 beds.
“We fast-tracked the opening of 30 new beds at Robina last year to provide support for the busy Gold Coast Hospital campus at Southport.
“The new Robina Hospital emergency department will open with 26 bed bays plus 10 bed spaces in a short stay unit.
“The new intensive care/coronary care unit will also have 10 intensive care beds.
“These extra beds will deliver emergency and intensive care services to the southern end of the Gold Coast as well as help ease pressure on the Southport campus.”
Mr Robertson said Queensland Health had originally hoped the new emergency department and intensive care unit would open in July.
“I’m advised, however, that factors including availability of subcontractors have caused some construction delays.
“Queensland Health now advises it expects project construction to be completed in August and the emergency department commissioned for opening in September.”
16 May, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680
Mr Robertson officially launched the new degree at Bond University’s faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine.
He said Australia’s first entry-level Doctor of Physiotherapy degree would start in January 2008.
“Physiotherapist are in strong demand across Australia and this need is likely to increase as the population ages and health services focus more on prevention and rehabilitation services,” Mr Robertson said.
“Queensland Health currently employs 650 physiotherapists but we need more.
“Increasing the recruitment pool for qualified physiotherapists will benefit all of Queensland.
“The two-year course will produce ‘work ready’ graduates with theoretical knowledge and extensive clinical experience.
“Applicants are required to have completed a biological sciences degree and pre-requisite subjects such as anatomy, biomechanics and physiology.”
Mr Robertson also visited Robina Hospital to inspect progress on construction of the new emergency department and intensive care/coronary care unit.
“This $40 million project is part of our election commitment to open an extra 179 beds at Robina Hospital; increasing the hospital’s capacity to 364 beds.
“We fast-tracked the opening of 30 new beds at Robina last year to provide support for the busy Gold Coast Hospital campus at Southport.
“The new Robina Hospital emergency department will open with 26 bed bays plus 10 bed spaces in a short stay unit.
“The new intensive care/coronary care unit will also have 10 intensive care beds.
“These extra beds will deliver emergency and intensive care services to the southern end of the Gold Coast as well as help ease pressure on the Southport campus.”
Mr Robertson said Queensland Health had originally hoped the new emergency department and intensive care unit would open in July.
“I’m advised, however, that factors including availability of subcontractors have caused some construction delays.
“Queensland Health now advises it expects project construction to be completed in August and the emergency department commissioned for opening in September.”
16 May, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680