Hunter Clinical School
The University of Newcastle Hunter Clinical School is located within the Hunter New England Local Health District. The Hunter Clinical School provides high quality clinical placements and education with access to research opportunities. Students can experience a diverse range of medical experiences at different locations within the Hunter Clinical School.
Our health district
Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) covers a region of 131,785 square kilometres. It encompasses a major metropolitan centre, regional communities, with a small percentage of people located in remote communities. The estimated resident population is 920,370 people. with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people making up 5.9 per cent of the population. In one 24 hour period 1,124 people visit an Emergency Department in the District; 181 people have surgery; and 5,725 non admitted patients receive care in an outpatient clinic, community centre or in their home, Strategic Plan for HNELHD - Looking Forward to 2021.
Students with simulation patient
Students with simulation patient
Students with simulation patient
Students sitting at table in a lab class with teacher
Hunter Clinical School Hospitals
The Hunter Clinical School places students at John Hunter Hospital and Belmont District Hospitals.
The John Hunter Hospital consists of 796 beds in total. The complex consists of a single building, which is divided into 694 adult beds and another 126 paediatric beds in the John Hunter Children's Hospital. The John Hunter Children's Hospital and Royal Newcastle Centre are located within the same building as the John Hunter Hospital. Also on the same grounds are Rankin Park Hospital (Rehab), Newcastle Private Hospital and the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI). Planning is now underway for the John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct.
The John Hunter Hospital is the region’s major tertiary referral hospital for both paediatric and adult care. JHH ED sees approximately 67,500 presentations annually (18,700 are children) and is Australia’s only major trauma centre outside of a capital city. It is the busiest trauma service and ED in NSW. Our Hospital plays an important part in the state’s network of tertiary services, serving not just its local and regional communities, but people from around NSW. With support from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and NSW Ambulance, the hospital provides a retrieval service for critically ill patients from the Hunter and North Coast.
Belmont District Hospital is located in Lake Macquarie and is a 140 bed hospital (80 acute care beds), servicing the City of Lake Macquarie. The Emergency Department sees on average 70 patients per day, medical services include acute and sub-acute general medicine, cardiology, stroke rehab, Lakeview Detox - Drug and Alcohol and residential care transition. Surgical Services include acute general surgery and elective only surgical work in subspecialties. Other services include: Lakeview Detox Unit, Birthing Service, Imaging including CT, Ultrasound and Echo, and a Pathology Lab.
Our facilities
Hunter Clinical School facilities include:
- Simulation Centre
- JHH Library
- JHH Student Common Room fitted with lockers
- Lecture Theatres, tutorial rooms and meeting rooms
Our location
John Hunter Hospital
John Hunter Hospital is situated at New Lambton Heights in the City of Newcastle, which has plenty of opportunities for sun, sand, and surf without the crowds of Sydney.
Belmont District Hospital
Belmont District Hospital is situated at Belmont in the City of Lake Macquarie. Lake Macquarie is a city with a lake at its heart, encircled by distinctive towns and villages. Lake Macquarie City has a population of about 200,000 people and has a unique coastal, lake and bush environment.
Easy access
The John Hunter Hospital is serviced by multiple bus routes all of which stop at the main entrance of the hospital. For timetables, please refer to the Newcastle Buses website.
Study-life balance
Students are able to balance their studies by taking advantage of the many lifestyle features of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, including:
- Affordable housing
- World Class Beaches in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
- Bush Walks - Newcastle to Glenrock Lagoon; Awabakal Walk
- Bike Riding or Walking Tracks – Fernleigh Track and Lake Macquarie
- Cafes, water front bars, breweries and restaurants
- Sporting and cultural activities
- Close to the waterways of Port Stephens, the Hunter Valley Vineyards and Hunter Valley Zoo
Our students
The University of Newcastle Hunter Clinical School is committed to providing world class education and research. Its location and facilities afford students a diverse clinical experience with access to placements in both John Hunter and Belmont Hospitals.
With dedicated staff, the Hunter Clinical School is able to provide a high level of support to all students including dedicated support for Indigenous students.
All Joint Medical Program students, enrolled at either University of Newcastle or University of New England, will be able to nominate placements at the Hunter Clinical School in the latter years of the program.
Student testimonial
I was very fortunate to get to spend the final year of my degree doing placement at JHH and Belmont Hospital. The staff were enthusiastic and made me feel like a valued member of the team. Despite being such a big hospital I enjoyed the sense of community that both Belmont and JHH offered, having the opportunity to really get to know the doctors and other staff. It was especially fun getting to work with the interns, many of whom were recent Joint Medical Program graduates themselves and thanks to them and the other academic and hospital staff I am feeling excited and well equipped to start my internship next year.”
Contact us
Postal address:
Level 3 Clinical Skills Training Centre
John Hunter Hospital
New Lambton Heights NSW 2305
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.