As they prepare to close their doors, the owners of the University of Wollongong's on-campus general practice claim the education provider views its students as commodities.
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Earlier this week, Campus Clinic announced it was closing at the end of the month after more than five years of operation.
Lead physician Dr Jennifer Bowler and her husband, Dr Cartan Costello, said they had been unable to negotiate a lease with the university for an appropriate facility, having worked from a 2.5-room clinic since opening in April 2016 that was insufficient and unviable.
Dr Costello said the university needed a shift in its outlook and approach to student healthcare.
"I believe that the closure of Campus Clinic can be traced back to culture within UOW that treats students and healthcare as commodities to be exploited," Dr Costello said.
The Wollongong Undergraduate Student Association has launched a petition to save the clinic, demanding the university renew the lease and provide new facilities.
"This is an appalling attack on student services and a further demonstration of the administrations' determination to line its own pockets at the expense of students and staff that has been on display all year," WUSA said.
The university was contacted for a response, but declined to provide further comment beyond the statement it provided to the Mercury earlier this week.
At that time, a spokesperson said UOW Pulse - the body responsible for student experience - had offered campus tenants a "significant level" of support, especially over the course of the pandemic.
In an email to members, UOW Pulse chief executive officer Alf Maccioni said the organisation understood how important health services were to the campus community and was working on providing a new service.
"We are taking this opportunity to engage in broad University and community consultation to work together and reimagine medical services that address, physical and mental health needs of our students, staff, and the local community," Mr Maccioni said.
But a former UOW student and clinic patient said the university already had these services in the Campus Clinic.
He said UOW's approach to the matter appeared to take precedence over the wellbeing of students, and it was inconsistent with the image of a vibrant campus that Pulse wished to portray.
In an email to patients announcing the clinic's closure, Dr Bowler said staff were upset with the university's lack of engagement over the years.
Dr Costello said other universities were more supportive of on-campus health services through investment in infrastructure and other financial assistance.
"I hope UOW and the new vice-chancellor take the time to reflect on what has gone wrong," Dr Costello said.
"We sincerely hope top-class healthcare develops for the students and staff, who deserve it."
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
