New complementary health care centre for Central TAFE

9/5/03
People with an interest in complementary medicine will benefit from the establishment of a designated centre of excellence at Central TAFE's Mount Lawley campus, Health Minister Bob Kucera announced today.
Mr Kucera said the Complementary Health Care Centre would provide training to students and professionals on complementary medicines and therapies.
"Complementary and alternative fields of health have become a very real growth industry as more and more people choose to be pro-active about their health and well-being," he said.
"That has resulted in an increasing demand by the health industry for nationally accredited training and a need for industry standards, regulations and further research."
Mr Kucera said education and training was a major initial step towards implementing regulation and control of complementary and alternative medicines and therapies.
"Ideally, this training needs to focus on evidence-based research and professional practice that moves towards State regulation," he said.
"Central TAFE has certainly been a pioneer of complementary and alternative health curriculum products and services in Western Australia."
Central TAFE hopes to become the State's lead agency in complementary health care education and training through the centre, providing:

• national health training package qualifications and professional services to the health industry;

• educational forums and conventions for practitioners, health professionals, research academics and members of the public;

• applied research projects and nationally accredited training and education programs;

• open access to a range of complementary therapy clinics for health and allied health professionals, educators and the public; and

• opportunities for partnerships, networking and delivery of services by members of the health service industry, universities and other key stakeholders.

Today's launch was timed to coincide with this week's Australian Innovation Festival (AIF) - a nationwide event that celebrates the best in Australian innovation.
"The festival's mission is to increase awareness about the importance of innovation based on the three pillars of future economic growth, excellence in research, and development and commercialisation," Mr Kucera said.
"Central TAFE's participation in the festival shows its strong support of the local community, industry and government in building and promoting a vision for complementary health."
Minister's office: 9213 7000