Curtin University, in partnership with Juniper, has unveiled a new simulated training facility to advance the education of future healthcare professionals and aged care staff, and improve client outcomes and care.
The Juniper Simulation Centre will annually provide over 500 health sciences students with a safe, hands-on experience using cutting-edge technology and enhance Juniper’s ability to up-skill its staff to meet future healthcare needs.
The new Centre is already in operation and replicates a typical home in the community or a residential aged care facility to provide a realistic training environment that incorporates a state-of-the-art control room with audio/video recording and monitoring equipment.
It has been designed to promote interprofessional simulation-based training for all health sciences disciplines using the latest technology and equipment.
Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said Western Australia was experiencing a growing demand for healthcare services as a result of an ageing population and increased rates of chronic and preventable disease.
“To meet the healthcare needs of our community, we are training more students to become health professionals and one of the most efficient and effective ways to deliver increased levels of clinical training is through simulation education,” Professor Terry said.
“Simulation education is a cost-effective and safe method of teaching and assessing students’ skills using scenarios replicating real-life events.
“The Centre will complement existing clinical training techniques at Curtin’s Bentley Campus and boost the quality of clinical training opportunities for health sciences students.”
Juniper Chief Executive Mr Vaughan Harding, said the long-standing relationship with Curtin University has continued to deliver benefits to older Western Australians.
“As a forward thinking organisation, Juniper is working hard to meet community needs and having a skilled workforce is key to our – and the wider aged care sector’s – response,” he said.
“We envisage further innovative education and training initiatives with Curtin in the future.”
Located at Juniper Ron Wilson House, opposite Curtin University’s Bentley Campus, the Juniper Simulation Centre, was officially launched on Thursday 24 June 2014. The project was made possible by funding received from Health Workforce Australia.
