Next Wave | Page 7

The Figures 1.8 BILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT 450 BEDS IN 2016 Sunshine Coast University Hospital 750 BEDS IN 2021 As well as improving the health care capacity and capability for the Sunshine Coast and Gympie communities, the new hospital will be the catalyst for economic growth and drive the need for quality graduates and targeted research projects. To deliver this, a key component of the hospital is the Skills, Academic and Research Centre (SARC). SARC will provide opportunities for health professionals to participate in teaching, research and clinical practice in one convenient location. Health professionals will also be able to contribute to national and international improvements in patient care, and educating and training future generations of staff. The University of the Sunshine Coast will work closely with its partners in SARC to deliver multiple training programs to up-skill existing health professionals across a wide range of disciplines and provide hands-on clinical training for postgraduates and students studying to become health professionals. USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill notes, “Vitally, the next phase of research development at the University will be all about health—and the University’s partnership with the district’s new $1.8 billion public university hospital, the biggest in Australia, will be a watershed for teaching and research. “The University’s staff, students and graduates have spent two decades working to improve the health of the region and must now take advantage of the largest medical research facility available to an Australian university. The health sector is already the largest employer on the Sunshine Coast and our demography indicates its importance will only increase into the future.” 10,000 PATIENT SHIFT FROM BRISBANE 5,000 STAFF IN 2016 7,500 STAFF BY 2021 4 HECTARES 3,500 CAR PARKS 100 CHILDCARE PLACES 7