Discussion of a Clinical Placement Agency Concept
Clinical Placements in Victoria: Establishing a Statewide Approach (the Strategy) aims to ensure that sufficient clinical training capacity exists in Victoria over the long term, and that training models are effective and efficient, and produce quality outcomes that meet evolving service and community needs and expectations.
One element of the Strategy involves exploring the feasibility of establishing a mechanism, such as a clinical placement agency, to build system capacity and promote a more streamlined approach to the organisation and management of clinical placements in Victorian health services. As such, stakeholder input is sought on this concept. A potential “agency” could assist in achieving sufficient capacity for clinical placements, consolidating cost-sharing arrangements, disseminating appropriate research results including innovative placement methods, assisting in statewide planning processes, and promoting both intersectoral and interdisciplinary engagement.
A discussion paper, entitled Clinical Placements in Victoria: Considering a Clinical Placement Agency, is available for download below. The discussion paper provides an overview of a number of key issues, as well as a range of options for the structure and function of a potential agency. This was the subject of discussion at four consultative workshops across Victoria. Written submissions were invited and 30 were received; 6 from education providers, 19 from community health and health services, and 5 from professional organisations.
The Discussion paper can be downloaded 
Clinical Placements in Victoria: Considering a Clinical Placement Agency (PDF 382kb)
Consultation Outcomes
Comment was requested through a series of workshops. Four workshops were held:
- Shepparton, Wednesday 21 May
- Ballarat, Monday 26 May
- Melbourne, Monday 2 June
- Traralgon, Friday 6 June.
Discussion at each workshop was started with some introductory presentations. An overview of clinical placement issues was provided by Kim Sykes, Director, Service and Workforce Planning (Melbourne and Traralgon) and Dan Jefferson, Manager, Workforce Strategy and Regulation (Shepparton and Ballarat). A representative of the education sector presented their perspective on clinical placement challenges, which was then followed by a health service perspective.
Presentations from all workshops are available below for your information.
Department of Human Services presentation – An overview of clinical placements (PDF File 911KB)
Dr Heather Wellington facilitated discussion at the workshops about the scope of problems with clinical placements, feedback about the concept of an ‘agency’, and an invitation for suggested solutions. These discussions have been summarised in a report that aims to provide a record of the input provided by workshop participants.
Clinical placement agency - report on consultation workshops - DLA Phillips Fox (PDF File 127KB)
Next Steps
Thanks to all participants of the workshops, and those who provided written responses to the discussion paper. Currently written responses to the discussion paper, in conjunction with outcomes from the workshops, are being considered and an action plan is being developed. Comment will be invited from the sector in a further phase of consultation before the end of the year. Further information will be available on this website shortly, and all forum participants and written respondents will be notified of this process.