Executive health study tour from Thailand
A group of 30 Thai health executives, including the Ministry of Health, doctors and health service managers, attended a special study tour organised by the University of New England (UNE) Schools of Health and Rural Medicine, the Australian College of Health Executives and assisted by UNE Partnerships.
The tour commenced with a Memorandum of Understanding between UNE, the Thai Ministry of Health, the Australian College of Health Executives and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine to assist rural doctor training in Thailand.
The study tour was comprised of a series of presentations highlighting policy and practical aspects of the healthcare environment in Australia, including GP and health management training, health insurance, the pharmaceutical system and hospital reform. Kathryn Hogan, Director of Business Development at UNE Partnerships, presented a seminar on the value of building skills and capacity in health services through vocational training at various levels of administration and management. Her presentation included examination of customised case studies from UNE Partnerships’ Executive Leadership programs for the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and St Vincents & Mater Health Sydney.
In addition, the group toured St Vincents & Mater Health Sydney, visiting the Garvan Institute, Victor Chang Institute, the private and public hospital and pharmacy facilities within the hospital. Others spent the morning at the Macarthur Division of General Practice, to gain an understanding of the linkages between general practices, primary healthcare and public health initiatives in Australia. The Sydney Medically Supervised Injecting Centre was visited in Darlinghurst and elicited interesting and thoughtful responses from the group.
The study tour cemented the relationship with our Thai visitors and enhanced UNE Partnerships’ opportunities to be involved in vocational training in Thailand.
