Rural Clinical School - Ballarat

The Rural Clinical School - Ballarat ('Dunvegan') is adjacent to Grampians Health - Victoria's second largest regional health service.

The  Rural Clinical School - Ballarat ('Dunvegan') is adjacent to Grampians Health (prev Ballarat Health Service) - Victoria's second largest regional health service.  Grampians Health provides a comprehensive range of general and specialist care across key medical and healthcare disciplines including Acute Care, Sub-Acute Care, Residential Aged Care Services, Community Care, Psychiatric Services, Dental Services and Rehabilitation Services.

The key services are based at two sites, the Base Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Centre. Each site is located close to the central business district, with the remaining residential, day centres and community sites located throughout Ballarat.

Ballarat offers the best of both worlds for students - its proximity to Melbourne makes it close enough for frequent weekends home, and visits from family and friends. It's also large enough that the hospital covers all the 'bread and butter' medicine medical students need to thrive.  At the same time, the country attitude means that clinicians are approachable, friendly, and happy to go the extra mile to help and teach students.

Living in the Rural Clinical School - Ballarat accommodation provides easy access to 'Dunvegan' and Grampians Health. Plenty of bike paths means there is an environmentally friendly way to get where you want to go.

Fast Facts

  • Grampians Health has over 790 beds
  • Emergency Department sees over 52,000 patients annually
  • Grampians Health clinical streams include Acute Care, Sub-Acute Care, Residential Care, Community Care, Psychiatric Services, Rehabilitation Services
  • One hour from Melbourne
  • Students have access to the Clinical Skills Lab at Grampians Health and its high fidelity simulation equipment.
  • Access to the Grampians Health Library
  • Wireless IT connection throughout  accommodation and 'Dunvegan'

FAQ's

  • Where is the Rural Clinical School - Ballarat located and how do I get there?

    The fast rail train service means a rail trip between Ballarat and Melbourne is close to 60 minutes, and it's only 90 minutes by car, making weekends in Melbourne easy and affordable.

    Ballarat is one of the largest inland cities in Australia. With a population of over 90,000, there's most of the shopping and entertainment here that is found in Melbourne (just on a smaller scale!). Ballarat is also one of Victoria's premier tourist destinations attracting visitors for its gold and architectural heritage, parks and gardens and art and cultural activities. Ballarat is also close to the beach, with coastal towns like Geelong and Torquay only 60 minutes away by car.

  • 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 and clinical skills sessions.

  • What does the student accommodation offer?

    The Department of Rural Health currently manages 46 bedrooms for students in Ballarat.

    Balanada Close, Alfredton

    Located approximately six kilometres from Grampians Health, Balanada Close consists of eight double-storey townhouses.

    • Facilities in each townhouse include:
      • Four large bedrooms per house, each fitted with a double bed, desk, chair, lamp wardrobe and bedside table. (Two of the bedrooms in each unit are fitted with walk-in-robes)
      • Two shared bathroom facilities
      • Lounge and dining areas
      • Laundry facilities including washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards
      • Kitchen facilities including dishwasher, refrigerator, oven and stovetop, cooking equipment and utensils
      • Courtyard areas including an outdoor dining setting and BBQ
      • Disability/wheelchair access
      • Free wireless internet access
      • Security swipe card access to external doors and key locks to bedrooms.
      • Double lock-up garage for each house

    University of Melbourne Creswick Campus

    The AVG House is located approximately twenty kilometres from Grampians Health.

    • Facilities include:
      • Twenty bedrooms, each fitted with a brand new double bed, desk, chair, and wardrobe
      • Lounge and dining areas
      • Bathrooms with separate toilets
      • Laundry facilities
      • Fully equipped gym available for student use for free
      • Multiple shared kitchen facilities
      • Courtyard area including an outdoor dining settings
      • Large pool room with table tennis
      • Library with dedicated quiet study area
      • 24 hour computer laboratory
      • Free wireless internet access
The teaching really is sensational here.  Many of the senior doctors take an interest in our learning and they lead bedside tutorials which my friends in the city don't get at all. I have not yet been turned away by a patient who doesn't want to talk to me because they have seen too many students; they are always hoping that we will learn something from them and are happy to help us here. The hospital is close to accommodation and there is minimal travel time, which leaves more time for doing everything else. Second Year MD Student, 2012