CQU and Mackay Hospital and Health Service join forces to strengthen nutrition care
CQUniversity and Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) have joined forces to strengthen nutrition and dietetic services across the Mackay region, while creating new opportunities for research, student learning and workforce development.
The new partnership will bring together Mackay HHS Nutrition and Dietetics clinical expertise and understanding of local health needs with CQUniversity’s strengths in education, applied research, evaluation and workforce development.
The collaboration aims to support evidence-informed practice, develop a sustainable regional nutrition and dietetics workforce, and drive innovation that can deliver better health outcomes for communities across the Mackay region.
Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics Rachel Bacon said the partnership reflected CQUniversity’s commitment to working alongside regional health services to address local challenges and build a skilled workforce close to home.
“CQUniversity is proud to partner with Mackay HHS on an initiative that brings together clinical expertise, education and research to address the healthcare needs of the Mackay region,” Prof Bacon said.
“By working collaboratively, we can create meaningful opportunities for students and clinicians, support research that responds to real-world health challenges, and help strengthen the regional workforce.
“Importantly, this partnership is about translating knowledge and research into practical improvements in nutrition care for the communities we serve.”
Mackay HHS Chief Executive Sean Birgan said the partnership would provide valuable opportunities to strengthen nutrition and dietetic services while supporting the professional development of clinicians and the next generation of healthcare professionals.
“Our dietitians have a deep understanding of the health needs of our local communities, and the challenges and opportunities associated with delivering services in a regional setting,” Mr Birgan said.
“Working with CQUniversity gives us an opportunity to combine that clinical knowledge with research, education and evaluation expertise to explore new ways of delivering care and strengthening workforce capability.
“It creates exciting opportunities for local students to gain valuable hands-on experience in the region, develop connections with their hospital and health service, and build long-term careers here locally.”
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will also help to deliver CQU’s new Master of Nutrition and Dietetics course – a first-of-its-kind outside of South East Queensland.
“Applications are already open for the undergraduate entry pathway with the Masters to go live from July, 2027,” Prof Bacon said.
The partnership will also explore collaborative research and evaluation projects across areas including malnutrition, chronic disease, paediatric nutrition, First Nations nutrition, food security, digital health and interprofessional healthcare.
CQUniversity nutrition and dietetics students will also benefit from structured clinical, research and internship placement opportunities, with the potential for students to contribute to service improvement and innovation projects.
There will also be opportunities for Mackay HHS clinicians to contribute to CQUniversity teaching through guest lectures, case-based learning and curriculum development, alongside reciprocal opportunities for CQUniversity academics to contribute to health service education.
The organisations will also explore the development of a northern Queensland or statewide dietetics network to share best practice, build professional capability, support clinicians working in regional and remote areas, and strengthen collaboration in research and innovation.
CQUniversity nutrition student Samantha 'Samy' Borg said the opportunity to learn alongside experienced clinicians through the partnership would be invaluable in preparing students for their future careers.
“While university study provides the theoretical foundation, there's nothing quite like seeing experienced clinicians work with real patients and learning how to adapt nutrition advice to meet individual needs,” Samy said.
“I’m looking forward to gaining greater clinical confidence, understanding how dietitians work alongside doctors, nurses and other allied health professionals and learning from people who are doing this work every day.
“Building those professional connections while still studying is also incredibly valuable. It creates opportunities for mentoring, builds confidence and helps students establish a place within the communities where they may one day work.”
Samy said partnerships like this were particularly important for regional communities, helping develop a skilled local workforce with an understanding of the unique challenges facing people outside major metropolitan areas.
“Regional communities face challenges around distance, travel costs and access to services, so having a local workforce that understands regional life can make a real difference,” she said.
“Students who train in regional areas are more likely to build connections and see opportunities to establish their careers there, which ultimately means better access to dietetic care closer to home.”
Having commenced university in 2018 as a single mother, Samy said she was passionate about encouraging others in regional Queensland to consider a career in nutrition and dietetics.
“Food is part of every family's day. It influences how we feel, how children grow and how we age, and I was attracted to a career where I could make a practical difference to people's lives.
“Nutrition and dietetics can lead to so many different career paths, from hospitals and community health to aged care, sport and public health. You don't have to move away to pursue those opportunities, and there are ways to make study work around family and other commitments.”
CQUniversity Health Partnership Development Manager Warwick Pawsey said the collaboration demonstrated the value of universities and healthcare services working together to tackle regional workforce and health challenges.
“Regional communities deserve access to high-quality, evidence-informed health care, and building strong connections between universities and healthcare services is an important part of achieving that,” Mr Pawsey said.
“This partnership creates a pathway for clinical expertise, education and research to come together — from supporting students and clinicians through to testing new approaches to care and translating research into practice.
“We look forward to seeing the benefits of this collaboration flow through to Mackay’s healthcare workforce and, ultimately, the communities that workforce serves.”
The partnership establishes a framework for long-term collaboration between CQUniversity and Mackay HHS, with future initiatives to be developed in response to local healthcare service priorities and opportunities.
