Jointly funded Graylands Hospital Chair in Mental Health Nursing

7/7/95

Mental health services in Western Australia will benefit in the future through the creation of a new post at Edith Cowan University.

Health Minister Graham Kierath and the Vice-Chancellor of Edith Cowan University, Professor Roy Lourens, have announced the establishment of a jointly funded Graylands Hospital Chair in Mental Health Nursing.

The position will take a leading role in postgraduate education of nurses in the field of mental health and related research at the School of Nursing.

"This appointment is the first of its kind in nursing in WA and another example of the Health Department and the university collaborating to meet the health needs of the community," Mr Kierath said.

Professor Lourens said the position would be advertised world-wide and be filled as quickly as possible.

The appointee would be actively engaged in the Mental Health Research Centre established at Graylands Hospital.

The object of the Chair was to enhance the teaching and practise of Mental Health Nursing in WA.

The Minister and Vice-Chancellor said they believed the Graylands Hospital Professor of Mental Health Nursing would make a significant contribution to an improved understanding of mental health nursing.

In the years ahead, it would also help improve standards of mental health care.

The new professor would be located at the School of Nursing at the Faculty of Health and Human Sciences at Edith Cowan University.

Media contacts: Graham Kierath 354 3933

Professor Roy Lourens 273 8205

Renee Cappetta (PR ECU) (w) 273 8288