Riverland General Hospital Simulation Centre

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (15:28): I am very proud to stand up and acknowledge the great work that Flinders University is presenting in the Riverland, and last Friday I was lucky enough to visit the Riverland General Hospital at Berri to witness the opening of the new simulation centre. Professor Jennene Greenhill, Director, Flinders Rural Health here in South Australia is a proud proponent of the simulation centre, which will enable students and clinicians to work in the Riverland General Hospital and maintain a state of clinical skills through artificially experiencing real-life situations.

Deputy Speaker, I wonder whether you would understand what the word 'moulage' means. The rural health centre was opened at the Riverland General Hospital. Flinders' lecturer Sarah Boyd has published a book on the subject, entitled Moulage: Making Simulations Come Alive on a Budget. I witnessed simulations, through make-up and all sorts of false wounds and burns, on mock patients, after which medical staff dealt with them. The thing that really got to the back of my throat was that they burnt hair to simulate the smell. They also use a lot of make-up and simulation equipment that typify what health professionals go through when dealing with real-life scenarios.

The Riverland General Hospital now has a simulation centre and it also comes on the back of the Renmark clinical school, which trains doctors and nurses who live in the Riverland. It offers undergraduate nurses degrees and nursery and midwifery training, with a three-year degree. What more could you ask for than living in the Riverland and experiencing the lifestyle, while doing your medical training and undertaking a 12-month program based on medical practices? Each year, more than 200 professionals undertake training at Flinders Uni's medical facilities at Renmark. They will now be able to undertake the simulation training at the regional hospital. It is a great initiative.

I would also like to pay tribute to Professor Jennene Greenhill, the Associate Dean of the School of Medicine at Flinders University at Renmark. She was recently awarded honorary membership of the Australia and New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators, the ANZAHPE honorary membership. It is a prestigious category of membership that recognises exceptional, sustained contributions and loyalty to the health system.

Many Riverlanders know Jennene Greenhill. The health professional network is very familiar with her work and her passion. Her opening presentation at the Riverland General Hospital at Berri highlighted her passion and what she brings to both the Riverland Hospital and the Riverland General Hospital. It was great to see the Hon. Senator Anne Ruston open the facility. She is also a local Riverland woman, and she told great stories about what this means to the Riverland.

It gives health professionals the opportunity to come to the regions to undertake training. Living in regional centres, we all know that it is very hard to attract health professionals and it is very hard to keep them. A lot of the health professionals who come to the Riverland experience the place, the lifestyle and the friendly nature of people who live there. Giving health professionals such opportunities will give the Riverland the best opportunity to have them remain in the region and keep our health networks in safe hands. It was a great experience. Professor Jennene Greenhill is an asset to the Riverland health system.