The Future Focus – Next Generation Healthcare Youth Takeover Project is being delivered at Rochester Elmore District Health Service in partnership with Campaspe Cohuna LLEN and Rochester Secondary College.
Campaspe Cohuna LLEN project co-ordinator Cath Elms said the initiative built on earlier group work experience programs, which had been embedded into schools over the past two years.
“The beauty of it is it’s giving hands-on work experience and personal skills to the students,” she said.
“The focus is on young people and having them wrapped up in the community.”
Students began the program with an induction at the hospital and will spend eight weeks rotating through departments including urgent care, general practice, district nursing, allied health and community care.
Alongside their placements, students will explore how the Rochester community is changing and what that means for future healthcare needs.
“The chosen industry provides a challenge or problem that needs to be solved,” Ms Elms said.
“In this case, it’s about future healthcare needs in the community, looking at who is moving here and what services will be required.”
Students will conduct surveys and research before presenting their findings back to the hospital, with the potential to inform future planning.
“They can see the value of what they’re doing and that their voice matters,” Ms Elms said.
The program also aims to build employability skills and expose students to a range of career options within the healthcare sector.
Their final presentations will be delivered at the end of the term to an audience including hospital staff, school representatives, families and local leaders.
