By Kaija Du
With expanding populations in Melbourne’s west, Victoria University (VU) and cohealth have come together to improve how community health is delivered in the region.
The partnership, using cohealth’s experience in treating local communities and VU’s expertise in research and education, hopes to grow a qualified and empathetic health industry.
The combination of both organisations will approach healthcare from a new angle that addresses social inequity and mental health along with the physical.
This new framework for treatment in the west will be developed by specialised and hands-on experience with students and increased research for health improvement strategies in the area.
Specifically, the initiatives provided include student engagement like placements and internships, workforce development like graduate pathways and professional development for existing cohealth staff and academic research work.
“This partnership will deliver collaborative learning experiences, impactful research and advocacy, and meaningful career pathways that will empower people to contribute to healthier, more equitable communities in Melbourne’s west, and beyond,” cohealth chief executive Nicole Bartholomeusz said.
VU deputy Vice-Chancellor external relations and partnerships Wade Noonan said that within the strategy there are multiple pathways for VU students and “grow the pipeline” for skilled healthcare workers in the area.
“Our core values of equity and inclusivity will drive this new alliance and create significant value for the communities we serve. Under this partnership,” he said.
The not-for-profit, cohealth has 32 locations in Victoria including Footscray, Braybrook and Laverton, and seeks to expand a qualified and empathetic healthcare system, in the west.
