Message from our Acting CEO
Over the past two weeks we here in the national office have been very busy analysing the National Rural Health Commissioner’s discussion paper on Rural Allied Health Quality, Access and Distribution currently seeking consultations. The paper presents some interesting, and in some places challenging, ideas. We were pleased to see allied health rural generalism was a central theme of the paper, and it is clear that the Commissioner has a solid understanding of the concept. It is our view that Australia has an established allied health rural generalist pathway that has been built on the rigorous work of Queensland Health over more than 10 years. Over the past two years SARRAH has been working with Queensland Health and others to grow the number of allied health rural generalist trainee positions nationally, and our future work will focus on expanding the pathway into non-government and private sectors, while continuing to support pathway implementation in government health services, over the next two years.
We were also excited about the concept of integrated allied health hubs described in the paper. At the SARRAH conference held in Port Lincoln in 2016 I presented a paper on the outcomes of an allied health public-private partnership in the Murrumbidgee region of NSW, in which I described my understanding of market failure in rural areas, looking something like this:
I went on to describe the benefits to be derived by the collaboration of fund-holders from different sectors such as health, disability, the private sector and primary health networks, in pooling their resources to address the factors contributing to market failure. In essence, this is the principle underpinning the Commissioner’s concept of integrated allied health hubs. These hubs provide an opportunity to establish a critical mass of allied health workforce, a multidisciplinary team of allied health professionals and assistants from public, private and non-government settings, to deliver a broad range of services that meet the community’s needs. The concentration of resources in one location allows for a level of service coordination not otherwise possible in situations where allied health services are commonly delivered by a number of providers operating independently of each other. Rural generalist practice lies at the heart of this coordinated, cross-sector, multidisciplinary workforce.
In the same vein SARRAH supports the Commissioner’s notion of a rural college of allied health. A college will greatly enhance the quality and safety of allied health services in rural and remote Australia, and serve to promote career pathways for allied health professionals considering a future in rural health. The concept is complex, and will require much discussion within our sector to gain a shared understanding of the potential benefits of a rural college of allied health. For example, a college would need to draw clear distinctions around its focus on allied health rural generalism, in contrast to other areas of clinical interest in the allied health sector. A college’s linkages with education providers such as university departments of rural health will also need to be thoroughly understood.
We will be holding a meeting on Tuesday 30 July 2019 at 12 to 1.30pm (AEST) for our members interested in contributing to our response to the Commissioner’s discussion paper. If you would like to know more about the Commissioner’s proposals, and SARRAH’s position on various elements of the paper, please consider getting involved.
Cath
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Some wonderful photos to share with you all
A big thank you to Tim Farland for sharing these beautiful pictures with us taken in outback South Australia.
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SARRAH 2020 National Rural and Remote Allied Health Conference
The Organising Committee is delighted to present the SARRAH 2020 National Rural and Remote Allied Health Conference.
Hosted by SARRAH since 1995, this biennial conference is for all involved in regional, rural and remote allied health.
The Organising Committee invites you to Townsville;
- to hear a range of eminent speakers,
- to join us as we share stories to shape the future success for remote, rural and regional allied health, and
- to celebrate 25 years of SARRAH networking, advocacy and events.
When the rest of Australia is getting chilly, Townsville weather is fabulous with clear evening skies and warm days. We look forward to sharing our beautiful city with you in 2020.
#SARRAH2020
Image: View of the Shore from the Strand Jetty - Photographer Megan MacKinnon
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EOI - Would you like to join the Scientific Committee for the SARRAH Conference?
The National Allied Health Conference is SARRAH’s premier event for rural, remote and regional allied health professionals .
The SARRAH 2020 Organising Committee is seeking Expressions of Interest to join the Scientific Committee for the SARRAH 2020 National Rural and Remote Allied Health Conference.
The Scientific Committee is being established to support the Conference Committee with decisions on the selection of abstracts based on the quality of submissions and, in liaison with the Organising Committee, refinement of conference themes and content.
Associate Professor Trish Wielandt (Head of Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology, James Cook University) will chair the Scientific Committee.
The overarching Conference theme is Sharing Stories : Shaping Success
Please complete the form and forward along with your CV to sarrah@sarrah.org.au
Nominations will close on Friday 16 August 2019.
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Save the Date
Women in Leadership Summit
7th Annual Women in Leadership Brisbane Summit presented by the Women Leaders Institute, will be returning to Brisbane on 2-4 December, 2019! Providing a platform to inspire action and drive change for emerging and established women leaders in Queensland.
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Survey Request
You are invited to take part in a research project about expanded pharmacy services in rural and remote Australia. The study is being conducted by Selina Taylor at James Cook University. Your responses and contact details will be strictly confidential. The data from the study may be used in research publications and reports. You will not be identified in any way in these publications.
Pharmacists Only Survey Link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PharmacistSurveyExpandedPractice
All Health Professionals (Except Pharmacists) Survey Link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HealthProfessionalQuestionnaire
If you would like information sheets please contact sarrah@sarrah.org.au
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Other News
CRANAplus, the peak body for the remote and isolated health workforce is pleased to announce the appointment of their next Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Katherine Isbister.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released its Private Health Insurance Annual Coverage Survey for 2018. This survey is available on the APRA website at: Private health insurance annual coverage survey.
The AIHW released the following report: Cardiovascular disease in women. See: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases/cardiovascular-disease-in-women-main/contents/summary
Doctors and aged care staff must stop improper use of antipsychotic and psychotropic drugs
No Jab, No Play to improve vaccination rates in WA children
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