Staff working in hospitals and health facilities across Sydney’s south west will benefit from a state-of-the-art training and education facility officially opened today by NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner.
Mrs Skinner was joined by Member for Menai Melanie Gibbons and Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies to open the Ngara Education Centre at Liverpool Hospital, which has been operational since earlier this year.
Mrs Skinner met with students undertaking a Diploma of Nursing course who are receiving hands on training in a fully-equipped ward environment featuring everything from a four-bed room with simulation manikins to a linen trolley and utility rooms.
“I’m incredibly impressed with this centre, which provides training and orientation for a range of health professions, including nursing, allied health and corporate services staff,” Mrs Skinner said.
“Aboriginal trainees who are joining South Western Sydney Local Health District are also accessing the centre to train in nursing, corporate services and administration.
“The centre houses high-acuity rooms to train for emergencies or deteriorating patients, with two high-tech simulation manikins including a pregnant model.
“These ward and high-acuity rooms are digitally linked so trainers can evaluate students from a separate control room.
“Liverpool Hospital has become a hub for health education, housing two premier training facilities – the Ngara Education Centre and the Ingham Institute Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre,” Mrs Skinner said.
Ms Gibbons said: “This centre is a boon for local staff and the community. Facilities like this one play a vital role not only in training health staff but retaining and attracting them to work in our each.
Ms Davies said: “About 5,000 students have participated in training at the centre assisting them to develop skills and better understand the challenges and rewards their future workplace will offer.”
The centre also features: Student common room, training rooms, a library, offices, outdoor yard, and hand washing throughs.·
The name Ngara, is an Aboriginal word from the Darug language meaning Listen, Hear, Think.
Today’s official opening began with a traditional Aboriginal smoking ceremony undertaken by local elder Uncle Steve Williams.
The $6.2 million Ngara Education Centre was jointly funded by both the NSW and Federal governments.