Western Sydney University prescribes health plan for the West

Western Health launch event

Western Sydney University has made an unprecedented commitment to Western Sydney with the launch of its ‘Western Health’ plan, a 20-year vision for health and medical research that addresses the immense health challenges of the region.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover noted the strategy builds on the unique investment the University already makes to the region’s health and wellbeing with more than 12,500 students in clinical or related placements in every major hospital in the West.

“By 2038, we aim to nearly double that,” said Professor Glover.

“Western Sydney University is embedded in every key health and education precinct in our region: Bankstown, Blacktown-Mt Druitt, Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Penrith and Westmead.

“From nursing and midwifery to medicine and mental health services, our University is delivering the world-class health and medical experts Western Sydney needs. Now and into the future, this strategy spells out our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our region, Australia’s fastest growing community,” said Professor Glover.

Western Health launch event

With the launch of Western Health, the University outlines the $1.2 billion it is bringing in commercial and industry-partnered investment in advanced health and educational infrastructure for Western Sydney.

The plan sees the University commit to focus on the priority areas of:

  • Chronic Disease
  • Healthy Ageing
  • Midwifery, Maternal and Child Health
  • Mental Health and Wellbeing
  • Health Innovation

Assistant Vice-Chancellor Dr Andy Marks also noted Western Sydney University was positioned to develop the leading model of care in Australia.

“Through the University’s specialised health research teams and our partnerships with government and industry, we are bringing the best evidence and breakthroughs in health to bear on the ground in Western Sydney and across the world.

“Western Health harnesses the specialised insight and experience of the University to ensure that community wellbeing is advanced in line with the economic development of the region,” said Dr Marks.

“That’s vitally important for Western Sydney and it is a commitment central to everything our University does.”

For media enquiries and to arrange interviews, please contact Imogen Corlette, M: 0406 316 249 E: media@westernsydney.edu.au

ENDS

24 October 2018

Media Unit