Spencer Gulf Rural Health School in Whyalla, Whyalla, Australia | School

Welcome to Spencer Gulf Rural Health School, Whyalla, Australia. The Spencer Gulf Rural Health School (SGRHS) is a regional multi-disciplinary School of health science created as a joint initiative of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia. SGRHS is supported by the Australian federal government’s Department of Health and Ageing through the Rural Clinical Schools program (RCS), the University Department of Rural Health program (UDRH), the Rural Undergraduate Support and Coordination program (RUSC) and the Primary Health Care Research Evaluation and Development program (PHC_RED).

SGRHS research and evaluation projects are funded by competitive grants from national schemes (eg NHMRC), from the state Department of Health, from regional health services and from other rural organisation including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.

The Spencer Gulf Rural Health School (SGRHS) was established in 2001 as a joint venture between The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia. The School is a multidisciplinary entity that brings together the University Department of Rural Health and the Rural Clinical School as a single operational unit.

The SGRHS is based in Whyalla and operates from two campuses, one based at the University of South Australia and the other at the Whyalla Hospital. The School also supports a number of Learning Centres throughout the region including Pt Augusta, Booleroo Centre, Pt Pirie, Minlaton, Maitland, Pt Lincoln, Clare and Kadina. These Learning Centres are equipped with dedicated student facilities including student accommodation, study areas, libraries and up-to-date information technology.

The SGRHS comprises a multidisciplinary team of highly trained and experienced health professionals and key support staff. Staff have a range of backgrounds including health disciplines (medicine, nursing, pharmacy, mental health, podiatry), administration, business and finance, public service, education, clerical and information technology.  The purpose of the SGRHS is to "... conduct education and research to improve the health of rural and remote communities...". We do this by providing quality placements for undergraduate and post graduate students; by assisting in the planning and establishment of effective models of health service delivery; by conducting research and evaluation to improve the health of rural South Australians; and by providing education, training and support to existing health professionals in the region.  The SGRHS provides a wide range of consultancy and support services to the rural and remote health sector. As a group we have experience in many health service areas and also in Aboriginal cultural settings, and are working to meet the needs of Indigenous Australians. Our core activities include research and consultancy, education and training, and facilitation of clinical service delivery.