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Friday 14 June 2019 | ISSUE 43
Message from our Acting CEO
 
This week I returned to my roots (of sorts) when I travelled to Wagga Wagga for the NSW Health 4Rs Summit which focused on the rural allied health workforce.  SARRAH was commissioned by NSW Health to conduct a rapid review of the evidence for strategies that work in the recruitment and retention of the allied health workforce. In a collaboration with Kris Battye Consultants and the Rural Doctors Network (NSW) we produced a synthesis of the available literature, the results of which were presented at the summit.  Reinforcement of the rural workforce pipeline and supports similar to those available to the medical workforce was a key feature of our findings. 

            
David Cross, founding SARRAH member at the summit   


Laura Hardaker, RDN (NSW) and Cath discussing workforce retention strategies at the summit

In a bonus development we were treated to a presentation by Rural Health Commissioner Paul Worley’s summary of outcomes to date in his evaluation of the rural allied health workforce.  It was pleasing to see a lot of synergy between SARRAH’s position and Paul’s assessment of the supports required to build a fit-for-purpose rural allied health workforce.  We look forward to providing commentary on the Rural health Commissioner’s discussion paper when it is released in a few weeks’ time.

Paul Worley, Cath and Kris Battye at the summit

Today we farewelled a SARRAH stalwart, Terence Janssen.  Many of you will know Terence as the friendly voice on the end of the line when you call the SARRAH national office.  Terence started his journey with SARRAH 5 years ago as a program assistant working on the National Rural and Remote Support Service.  Since that time Terence has filled a number of roles for SARRAH, contributing his broad skills set and excellent word craft to many a project.  Most recently Terence has been working on the Allied Health Rural Generalist Pathway, anchoring SARRAH’s part in transitioning the pathway to a national profile. Terence has played a vital role in supporting the functions of the national office, and providing support to Deslie and other team members. But more opportunities await for Terence, and we wish him all the best as he embarks on the next chapter of his career.  It’s good to know there are people like Terence around who have a great understanding of the issues around allied health in rural settings.  Good luck Terence!!

Deslie, Cath, Terence and Kata

Cheers Cath


SARRAH 2020 Conference
SARRAH is pleased to advise that our conference will be held on the 14 & 15 September 2020. Make sure you save the date in your calendar and come to Townsville to help us celebrate 25 years of SARRAH.

SARRAH Celebrating 25 Years

Image: View of the Shore from the Strand Jetty - Photographer Megan MacKinnon
Would you like to advertise your job vacancies with SARRAH?
Please contact us for more information.
 
Current Employment Opportunities

Australian Burden of Disease Study: Impact and causes of illness and death in Australia 2015

The study found that: chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and musculoskeletal conditions contributed the most burden in Australia in 2015. Read the report below.


National research plan leads the way to dementia cure and care

Every three seconds someone in the world develops dementia, with Dementia the second leading cause of death in Australia and is one of our greatest health challenges. More here
Upcoming Events and Conferences

JUNE
Lowitja International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference
18 - 20 June - Darwin, NT
2019 Western NSW Health Research Network - 6th Symposium
19 June - Dubbo, NSW
International Society on Early Intervention Conference 2019
25 - 28 June - Sydney, NSW

JULY
2019 AIATSIS National Indigenous Research Conference
1 - 3 July - Brisbane, QLD
Aboriginal Health Conference 2019
6 - 7 July - Perth, WA
ANZAHPE
1 - 4 July - Canberra, ACT
Occupational Therapy Australia 28th National Conference and Exhibition 2019
10 - 12 July - Sydney, NSW
CICM Regional and Rural Critical Care Conference
18 - 19 July - Darwin, NT
3rd Annual Palliative, Aged and Dementia Care Forum
24 - 26 July - Melbourne, VIC
20th International Mental Health Conference
31 July - 2 August - Gold Coast, QLD

For information on other upcoming events please click here. 

Other News

OPC calls for urgent action as obesity burden increases
Statistics published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) today show that 8.4% of total disease burden in Australia is due to excess weight and that it continues to rise.  

SA Healthy Towns Challenge winners
An exciting range of community projects which aim to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in rural and regional areas have been awarded grants of up to $50,000 as part of the SA Healthy Towns Challenge.

Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease in Australia 
This report shows that ARF rates increase with remoteness, and that rates are highest in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians, females and in young people aged 5-14.
ABOUT SARRAH
SARRAH exists so that rural and remote Australian communities have allied health services that support equitable and sustainable health and well-being. SARRAH is also nationally recognised as the peak body representing rural and remote allied health professionals (AHPs) working in the public and private sector. SARRAH develops and provides services for AHPs to confidently and competently carry out their professional duties in providing a range of clinical and health education services to people who reside in these settings.
SUPPORT SARRAH
Partner with SARRAH to make the changes people living in rural and remote Australia need. By donating you can be part of SARRAH's work and strengthening rural communities by ensuring quality health services are available to all Australians, wherever they live.

Donate to support our work here.
Copyright © 2018 Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH). All rights reserved.

Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health
Unit 4, 17 Napier Close, Deakin, ACT, 2600

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