Roaming Education and Community Health Project Launched in WA

An innovative primary health care project run by student nurses in Western Australia will offer support services to people in need.

The Roaming Education and Community Health (REACH) project, launched by Central Institute of Technology, is the first of its kind and will provide health checks for people who do not have access to a general practitioner.

The project will be run at Central Institute of Technology’s Mt Lawley campus and is expected to involve up to 500 student nurses each year.

Training and Workforce Development Minister Terry Redman said REACH offered health care to disadvantaged members of the community - and at the same time, provided future nurses and health professionals with high quality training and placement opportunities.

“REACH will provide a referral pathway for those people who do not have a regular general practitioner,” the Minister said. “The initiative will offer health checks to the community and health assessment and wellness sessions to the homeless, socially disadvantaged, migrants and youth.

“Student nurses will play a key role in delivering services at the project’s wellness centre, managing issues such as chronic health conditions, women’s and men’s health concerns, immunisations and medical clearances.

“Workplace settings such as those provided through the REACH Wellness Centre and the sites where the students visit through this program take the student experience to another level.”

REACH is a partnership between Central Institute of Technology, Curtin University School of Nursing and the Department of Health’s Nursing and Midwifery Office.