Flinders University Speech Pathology student Monica Hatswell has just completed her fourth-year placement with Desert Therapy in Alice Springs.

During her placement at Desert Therapy Monica saw clients both in the clinical setting, at the clients’ supported accommodation and out at Indigenous community camps. “Being able to experience remote health and work in close contact with Indigenous speech, language and disability have allowed me to understand the components of social determinants of health”, says Monica.

Since Desert Therapy is a private practice funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Monica was also able to get an insight into the workings of government funding which helped her to recognise the intricacies of providing health in the disability sector.

Once Monica finished her placement, she was offered a job immediately as a Therapy Assistant and stayed on for an extra month, obtaining more hands-on Speech Pathology work, and experience in a transdisciplinary setting.

“Attending placement in Alice Springs with Desert Therapy has been the most amazing placement experience thus far”, Monica said.

Read about other placement experiences with Centre for Remote Health and Flinders NT.