Northern Rivers communities could benefit from a stronger pipeline of locally trained health workers under a renewed partnership between the University of Sydney and Northern NSW Local Health District.
The organisations have extended their Memorandum of Understanding for another three years, supporting the training of medical, nursing, midwifery, allied health and dentistry students at hospitals and health services across the region.
The partnership aims to encourage more students to build their careers in Northern NSW after completing rural placements, helping strengthen the long-term health workforce and local access to care.
Fifteen University Centre for Rural Health medical students currently on placement at Lismore Base Hospital have already indicated an interest in remaining at the hospital for their internships.
“This demonstrates that what we set out to achieve as two institutions is working – training students in a rural setting and creating a pipeline into the local rural workforce,” said University Centre for Rural Health director and Head of Rural Clinical School, Northern Rivers, Professor Vicki Flood
Medical students undertake placements at Lismore Base Hospital, Ballina District Hospital, Casino and District Memorial Hospital and Grafton Base Hospital, as well as Aboriginal medical services, mental health services and general practices.
Northern NSW Local Health District Executive Director Medical Services and Clinical Governance Dr Marco Giuseppin said giving students experience in local health services could help attract future clinicians to the region.
“Training in a real-world, modern healthcare setting is invaluable for students as they prepare for their professional careers,” Dr Giuseppin said.
“Through our ongoing partnership with the University of Sydney and University Centre for Rural Health (UCRH) partners, we can continue to support high-quality clinical education, attract talented future clinicians to the region and build a sustainable workforce for years to come.”
The renewed agreement continues a 25-year relationship between the university and health district and supports clinical placements, medical training pathways, workforce development and research.
Flood said the partnership was central to the organisation’s work.
“Few partnerships are more important to UCRH’s success than our relationship with Northern NSW Local Health District.
“The MOU reflects the scale and maturity of that collaboration and provides an ongoing framework for its continued growth.”
The agreement will also support co-ordinated workforce planning and collaboration across student education, simulation and research.
Research undertaken through the partnership focuses on issues affecting local communities and health services.
In 2025, UCRH supported 21 Doctor of Medicine student research projects involving University of Sydney and Western Sydney University medical students.
Those projects included research into the health impacts of extreme weather events and work designed to improve local clinical services.
Current research includes the HeLP-R clinical trial, which is examining whether virtual multidisciplinary pain care can be as effective as face-to-face care for people living with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
The trial is operating through physiotherapy departments at Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and Grafton hospitals, involving local clinicians and patients.
The partnership also includes the North Coast Medical Education Collaboration between the University of Wollongong, Western Sydney University and the University of Sydney, supporting a regional approach to training and retaining health workers.
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