Bendigo Rural Clinical School students attend tutorials and other teaching sessions at the Monash University Bendigo Regional Clinical School which is located on site at Bendigo Health.

Bendigo Health is a 678 bed service that treats over 34,000 in-patients, deals with over 42,000 emergency attendances and 1,100 babies are born each year. These services are complemented by a 60-bed rehabilitation unit, eight bed critical care unit and five operating theatres where around 10,000 surgical procedures are performed annually. Bendigo Health provides services in emergency, maternity, women's health, medical imaging, pathology, rehabilitation, community services, residential aged care, psychiatric care, community dental, hospice, palliative care, cardiology, cancer services and renal dialysis to the people of the Loddon Mallee region.

Students are integrated into the Monash University Regional Clinical School and study alongside Monash University students. Students receive a combination of Monash and Melbourne University tutorials that fully covers the Melbourne curriculum. Timetabling is done on site by Monash University in conjunction with the Melbourne University Sub-Dean and professional staff.

Students benefit from regular tutorials from visiting specialists from Melbourne and one on one bedside teaching. Students have access to the Clinical Skills Laboratory and high fidelity simulation equipment at the clinical school. Although not an exclusive Melbourne University site, students placed at Bendigo have the full support of the Rural Clinical School and an onsite Melbourne University Sub Dean.

Fast Facts

FAQs

Where is the Bendigo Rural Clinical School located and how do I get there?

Regular VLine train services taking just over 2 hours are an easy way to get back home for weekends or for family and friends to come and visit. By car it takes under 2 hours to get to Bendigo.

The 'Golden Heart of Victoria', Bendigo is a beautiful old city located in the geographic centre of the state. Its character and streetscape were created during the gold boom years of the 1850's to 1870's, when the local goldfield became one of the worlds richest. Today, Bendigo is one of Victoria's must-see destinations. Attractions include Australia's oldest working pottery, Bendigo Pottery, dating from 1858, the Central Deborah Goldmine and the Golden Dragon Museum, which celebrates the region's Chinese heritage. Nearby towns such as Heathcote offer artisan food, wine and art. The Bendigo Art Gallery hosts significant international exhibitions alongside national touring exhibitions, curated exhibitions and solo exhibitions by contemporary Australian artists.

RCS students placed at Bendigo attend tutorials and other teaching sessions at the Monash University Bendigo Regional Clinical School which is located on site at Bendigo Health. Students in Bendigo live in Monash University accommodation with Year 3, 4 and 5 Monash University medical students. This allows for inter-university relations to develop and cohesion of clinical groups in the hospital.

What can I expect to be doing day-to-day?

Every day can be different, depending on the term the students are undertaking. Students rotate through wards, theatres and specialist and general practice clinics. Students spend time on the various wards and are integrated into the team working with consultants, registrars and interns. Students also attend tutorials, lectures, seminars, grand rounds and clinical skills sessions. 

Are students allocated to the Bendigo Rural Clinical School only taught the Monash University curriculum?

Year 2 MD Rural Clinical School students allocated to Bendigo are integrated into Monash Year 3 groups and Semester 12 Rural Clinical School students are integrated into Monash Year 5 groups. The curriculum delivered is a combination of both Monash University and the Melbourne Medical School. Student feedback has indicated that the extra teaching is highly beneficial. All RCS students are fully prepared to complete all Melbourne University assessments including Mini CEXs and Long Case requirements and end of year examinations.

Do students placed at Bendigo Rural Clinical School have access to Melbourne University support?

Students allocated to Bendigo have the full support of both Monash and Melbourne academics and professional staff. Students have access to a Melbourne University Sub-Dean on campus and professional staff in Shepparton. Help is only a phone call or email away. As a Rural Clinical School (RCS) student you are included in all RCS activities and events regardless of the site you are allocated to.

What student accommodation is offered?

The Rural Health Academic Centre provides subsidised, fully furnished, self-catering student accommodation close to the Bendigo Regional Clinical School, in a facility (Lister House) managed by Monash University.

Lister House is located within walking distance of the centre of Bendigo, Mercy Street and both the Bendigo hospital and Anne Caudle campuses.

Facilities include:

• Wheelchair access in all areas
• Fully equipped shared kitchens with a food locker allocated
• Crockery and cutlery are required as there are no provisions supplied
• Wireless internet is available to all student rooms
• Computer centre with access to university’s network
• 46 spacious furnished student rooms on three levels
• Male and female bathrooms on each level
• Attractive common room with six kitchens
• BBQ in central garden courtyard
• TV / Video / DVD is located in the Common Room
• Washing machines, dryers, iron & iron board are located in the laundry on each floor
• Parking is available in Wattle and Short Streets