The Australian Government is planning for Gladstone's future health workforce needs with increased local clinical training opportunities for health and nursing students.
Up to $3 million will be provided to the Queensland University of Technology to work with 3 GP clinics across Queensland, including at the Gladstone Super Clinic, to create clinical training placements for around 128 students in areas such as psychology, pharmacy, podiatry, physiotherapy, nursing and radiography.
It will also support training places at Strathpine GP Super Clinic, and Golden Beach General Practice.
In Gladstone today, the Prime Minister said the investment will help deliver new pharmacists, physiotherapists, nurses and more, to care for the city's rapidly growing population.
Member for Flynn, Chris Trevor, said students who live and learn in a community are more likely to stay after graduation.
"Gladstone is booming, and this initiative is part of the preparation to make sure we have a strong sustainable health workforce."
The projects are part of the Rudd Government's strategy to work with organisations involved in providing clinical training to build training capacity and enhance the long-term sustainability of the health workforce.
The Rudd Government is building a health system to meet the needs of all Australians, now and into the future.
Under the National Health and Hospitals plan, the Rudd Government will shoulder the majority of the funding burden - 60 per cent of all public hospital services - meaning more money is available to meet rising health costs.
The Rudd Government's plan will see health services funded nationally and run locally through local hospital networks to deliver better health for local communities.