Grafton
GRAFTON
One of Australia's most beautiful provincial cities, GRAFTON [population 18,500] is famous for its trees, graceful old buildings and mighty river. The Jacarandas flower each year in October, providing a spectacular setting and the theme for Australia's longest running floral festival. Grafton's Regional Art Gallery rates as one of the outstanding provincial galleries in Australia. The Gallery presents a variety of exhibitions featuring many notable artists and crafts people throughout each year.
Grafton Base Hospital is a fully ACHS accredited 107 bed hospital. Grafton Base Hospital provides acute medical, surgical, paediatric, geriatric, maternity, high dependency, renal, oncology, palliative care, emergency, some specialist outpatient services and day surgery facilities to the people of Grafton and the surrounding districts. Community Health provides a comprehensive range of services including Aboriginal health, mental health, rehabilitation and extended care [non hospital], drug and alcohol, sexual health, children’s and women’s health.
See the Clarence Valley Tourism site for further information at http://www.clarencetourism.com/
CLIMATE
WINTER - Grafton’s climate is mild in winter with cool evenings and pleasant days. A jumper is needed in the evenings.
SUMMER – Grafton can be very hot in summer with temperatures in the mid to high 30C’s.
PRIOR TO PLACEMENT
Contact the Student Co-ordinator to let her know you will be attending Grafton Base Hospital for your placement, dates of placement, estimated time and date of arrival and if accommodation is required.
All students must either email or fax the following information 4 weeks prior to placement to the Student Co-ordinator:
• University identification badge with photo and student number
• Criminal record clearance
• Immunisation records showing compliance with NSW policy directive PD 2007_006
• Proof of rent or mortgage payment
STUDENT CO-ORDINATOR AND KEY CONTACT DETAILS
The key contacts during your placement at Grafton Base Hospital are listed below.
Position | Name | Phone | Fax | |
Student Co-ordinator | Jane Nichols | 02 66402484 | 02 66402499 | |
Administration Assistant | Leonie Valuntas-Achilles | 02 66402482 | 02 66402499 | |
Accommodation | Deanne Perry | 02 66402480 |
What To Bring To Your Placement?
• Originals of all the above documents
• Personal effects
• University uniform or smart casual clothes (depending on discipline)
• A smile and a sense of humour !
ACCOMMODATION
Where is the accommodation in relation to my placement?
The accommodation centre is located within the hospital grounds in the old nurse’s quarters. All rooms are single with linen supplied. Students are required to clean their own rooms.
Accommodation features:
• Fully-equipped kitchen
• Non-smoking
• Communal bathroom and toilets
• Lounge and dining room – both with LCD TVs and DVD players.
• Laundry facilities with washing machine, dryer, ironing and inside clothesline. You will need to supply your own detergent
• Secure access to Library and hospital.
Twenty rooms have been recently refurbished. These rooms have air-conditioning, carpets and reading lamps.
Located on the hospital grounds and accessible for students to use are:
• In ground swimming pool
• Badminton/volleyball net and equipment
• A limited number of bicycles donated by the Medical Faculty of the University of NSW and the Northern Rivers University Department of Rural Health (NRUDRH) are available for students to use. Students are welcome to bring their own bikes. A lockable shed is available to store bikes.
What is the cost of the accommodation for me?
Medical students $47.40 per week
Nursing students $56.73 per week
Allied Health students $47.40
However, if you bring a photocopy of your lease, mortgage or rental receipts then this fee is waived. This documentation must be provided before you commence placement.
Students who are doing placement outside the Grafton Base Hospital, for example in a General Practitioner’s surgery will be charged $36.30 per night (includes GST). Students doing placement at other NCAHS sites - $14.85 per night.
The accommodation supervisor will raise an account and give the account to you. Accounts are to be paid through the cashier’s office – 8:30 – 5:00pm weekdays. EFTPOS is available, for account payments only during these times.
How do I collect my key?
Your accommodation key will be available from the Emergency Department anytime over the weekend prior to your placement. Staff will direct you to the accommodation centre.
FIRST DAY INSTRUCTIONS
All students must report to the Staff Development Centre/Library on their first day for orientation.
As a general rule the starting time for the first day is :
8:00am Nursing Students
8:30am Allied Health Students
9:00am Medical Students
Orientation will include:
• Orientation package
• Grafton Base Hospital student identification and swipe card
• Tour of relevant areas
• Infection Control and Occupational Health and Safety Information
LIBRARY AND COMPUTER ACCESS
A well stocked library is accessible after hours with up to date resources donated by the University Medical schools and NRUDRH.
Computer and Internet access is available 24 hours in the student computer room in the library.
TRANSPORT
What about public transport in Grafton?
Timetables for Grafton’s Busways buses are available from http://www.busways.com.au/. The bus route that stops outside the hospital will take students down town.
Grafton Taxi’s can be contacted on 131008.
How can I get to the beach without a car?
A bus service runs from Grafton to Yamba on a regular basis every day. See the Busways web-site http://www.busways.com.au/ for further information. The hospital has a swimming pool that students can access.
How can I get to Grafton?
Regular flights come into Grafton airport. This route is serviced by Rex Airlines further information is available at
http://www.regionalexpress.com.au/home.aspx
Grafton is serviced by Countrylink trains from both Sydney and Brisbane. See the countrylink web-site http://www.countrylink.info/
Regular bus services also pass through Grafton. Contact your travel agent for the range of coach services available.
What is parking like, if I were to drive?
If staying in the student accommodation limited car parking is available on site behind the conference centre. There is no undercover or security parking.
ENTERTAINMENT
What is there to do in Grafton at night?
There are many different restaurants, clubs and pubs to visit while you’re in Grafton
What is there to do in Grafton on the weekends?
There are plenty of activities to do in Grafton including a wide range of sports including:
• Gym and indoor swimming pool
• Tennis
• Golf
• Ten pin bowling
White water rafting can be undertaken at Nymboida
Grafton is a perfect spot for bike riding and walking.
Within a one hour drive of Grafton is:
• Yamba - beaches
• Coffs Harbour – beaches, shops, movies
• Minnie Water & Wooli – fishing, swimming and boating
• Maclean – Scottish theme and coffee shops, galleries
• Ulmarra - Antiques
• Nymboida -Russell Crowe Museum and White Water Rafting
Byron Bay is a two hour drive north of Grafton and Brisbane now only four hours.
Grafton has a number of National Parks within a short driving distance.
Appendix A - Grafton Base Hospital – Key Policy Documents and Hyperlinks
The list below shows key clinical and corporate documents that should be read before commencing your placement. You will need to verify that you have read and understand the Code of Conduct at orientation. You will need to either complete at orientation or provide evidence of completing the Hand Hygiene Australia on-line learning package.
Document | Hyperlink |
NSW Health Code of Conduct | http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/policies/pd/2005/PD2005_626.html |
NSW Health Infection Control Policy | http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/policies/pd/2007/PD2007_036.html |
Hand Hygiene Australia Online Learning Package | |
NSW Health Communicating Positively – A guide to appropriate aboriginal terminology | http://www.nursesreg.health.nsw.gov.au/pubs/2004/aboriginal_terms.html |
Occupational assessment, screening and vaccination against specified infectious diseases | http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/policies/pd/2007/PD2007_006.html |
Appendix B – Map of Grafton
File located at http://www.clarencetourism.com/pdffiles/grafton_guide.pdf
Copyright © 2006 Northern Rivers University Department of Rural Health
Authorised by UDRH | Page last updated: Jun 1, 2010
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