Local doctor to head Sunshine Coast’s first clinical school

Leading local clinician Dr Steven Coverdale will head the first clinical school established on the Sunshine Coast to train medical students, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

Mr Robertson said the Sunshine Coast Clinical School is a joint venture between Queensland Health and the University of Queensland’s School of Medicine.

“Dr Coverdale is an ideal choice to steer the Sunshine Coast Clinical School through major growth in the local training of medical students,” he said.

“He is a senior clinician working at Nambour Hospital where the clinical school will initially be based until the new Sunshine Coast Hospital opens at Kawana in 2014.

“Dr Coverdale is also the Director of Medical Services for the Sunshine Coast health district and has years of experience in medical education.”

Mr Robertson said the new clinical school will give the Sunshine Coast an international reputation as a training centre for future doctors.

“It will also play a major role in attracting more experienced doctors and young doctors to build the Sunshine Coast’s medical workforce.

“We will need hundreds of new clinicians to staff the brand new Sunshine Coast tertiary hospital we’re building at Kawana.

“We also need to attract more medical students and interns - our doctors of the future - to train on the Sunshine Coast.

“That’s why the Bligh Government established the school to ensure we have the doctors to meet the health needs of this fast-growing region.”

“The clinical school will help attract more medical students to the Sunshine Coast to do their training locally.

“It will also attract more experienced doctors to work on the Coast and provide clinical training for young medicos entering the health system for the first time.”

Mr Robertson said the Sunshine Coast and Cooloola Health Service District last year helped train 120 third and fourth year medical students.

“These numbers are projected to double over the next few years.”

Dr Coverdale said today:

“I am delighted and honoured to have the opportunity to take up this position and I am committed to maximising the benefits of this initiative for the Sunshine Coast and the University of Queensland.”

MEDIA: PAUL LYNCH 3234 1190