Acting CEO's Message
Like most (~70%) of the allied health workforce, I am a woman. And like many of those 75%, I have chosen to have a child, and have entered the realm of juggling - work and career, school, fun and of course all of the tasks of running a family and home (which I share with my partner).
I’m going to imagine that this Sunday I’ll get to sleep in and not be woken up before I’m ready to rise, at my own pace and then only do the things I want to do. That would be Mother’s Day.
No doubt, this weekend mothers will be high on the list for politicians. We will probably hear announcements designed to fit with the occasion. It would be especially good if any sentiments conveyed on the day and through the detail of announcements showed some genuine respect for the complexity, contribution and capacity of women, many of whom are mothers - as well as many other things.
That respect might extend beyond announcements that too often are seen as women’s issues - which they may be, but not exclusively. We will almost certainly hear about who is offering the better approach in childcare. The care workforce - overwhelmingly women - will be mentioned, including the need to increase the lowest pay rates, which continue to reflect the under-valuing of these roles in society.
The test, however, might be in seeing whether anyone challenges the ingrained orthodoxy of Australian political campaigns.
Will we see any politician stand up and recognise that for many women - like my mother, who worked for the first part of her career as a nurse in Tenant Creek, before leaving work to raise three relatively well functioning humans - the decision to stop working and raise a family has left her with very little superannuation, and now living on the government's somewhat meagre pension. The gender gap we hear so much about continues into retirement and old age.
Will we see any politician stand up and declare that the greatest area of jobs growth in the country is among allied and other health professions, who are predominantly women? Or will that continue to be ignored, while media and political attention drifts toward the hardhats and safety vests.
It is possible that there will be stories about women - and especially mothers - participating in what continues to be seen as more historic male roles, in industry, farming, construction etc. That’s good. People should be able to work in whatever field their interests and skills take them. But it remains entirely disheartening, however, that the sector that has outstripped jobs growth in any other sector for two decades and is projected to lead employment growth and demand across the entirety of the next term of government (Health and Social Assistance) features as an afterthought in Australian workforce policy.
Employment, climate, enterprise, industry, economic policy, education, training, health, services, defence, environment, foreign relations - all of these are women’s issues - as much as childcare. And although banal, I worry more about these things since becoming a mother.
Allied health professions lead the governments projected workforce demands. They are highly skilled positions which make a major contribution to the health, well-being and productivity capacity of our communities, society and economy. Women make up around 70 per cent of that workforce; many are mothers and some are not. Either way, we need to be recognised and treated with a genuine respect that would see a focus on issues of substance, not on novelties and trite homage to narrow stereotypes.
What we imagine for mother's day and what happens may be different things, I would say there is zero chance of a sleep in, but that's ok too :) . Nevertheless I know I will enjoy my day, and hope you do to.
Happy Mother's day to my mum, you and yours this weekend.
Go well!
Gemma (and Al G)
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In this week's podcast meet SARRAH's Education Program Manager Dr Melodie Bat. Gemma and Mel talk about how they see SARRAH contribute to developing rural and remote allied health professional leaders; they reflect on allied health professionals who are mothers, mother's day, periods, grant writing and more!
So connect your Bluetooth - hit the road, and have a listen.
Apologies that the this week's audio is not top notch, but we think you'll agree, still worth it.
And don't forget to Listen to Win!!
Listen to Gemma and Allan's election chat to learn how to win a free ticket to SARRAH's National Conference in November. Entries will remain open until a winner comes forward or 21 May - whichever comes first...
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Help raise awareness of the importance of Allied Health in improving the lives of all Australians!
Download <our template> outlining key election issues to bring to the attention of your local Members of Parliament and aspiring representatives.
Feel free to make changes to emphasis your particular concerns. The more politicians are aware of the important role Allied Health plays in health, disability, aged care and mental health, the more likely we will see the changes needed to improve health, social and economic outcomes for all Australians.
Make Allied Health a focus for political candidates in this year’s election.
Allied Health Matters!
Please contact sarrah@sarrah.org.au for further information.
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The major contestants in the Election are far more likely to tell us there are stark differences in the policy positions they are putting to us than many people might discern. The tactic seems to be to stay as close to the other side as possible, hint at subtle differences in approach and only go hard where they feel they have the advantage - or more often, where the opponent is vulnerable.
From that perspective this is a tight election. Issues we might have thought would dominate - like climate change impacts - haven’t: possibly because the parties who would change a vote on those issues have probably already decided. They seems to be betting most of us (or at least the undecided) don’t want too much change, are even scared of it. Carefully defined and tightly scripted offerings.
Increasing access to allied health service - rural or otherwise - doesn’t seem to part of the script. Health may be - with general support for Medicare, PBS costs, GP shortages, hospital loads and nurses in aged care. According to
specialist healthcare communications agency, London Agency, health isn’t the focal issue it was in previous elections. Their analysis (which seems to be based on a count of mentions made in election media coverage and reactions) suggests health is not getting much focus or cut through. If true, that might reflect a lack of difference and / or substance in the material being put out by the contenders rather than public interest.
An announcement by the Coalition on Tuesday 3 May this week is significant - Landmark investment to boost rural doctor workforce - provides some insights, and at least suggests allied health is somewhere on the radar. The measures are very much designed for and around doctors, but there are references to increasing allied health service access. While little detail is provided it seems there will be support for GP led team-based models if care and what appears to be an expansion of the Workforce Incentive Payment (WIP), which is funding provided to GPs to employ/engage nurses, nurse practitioners and allied health staff. Readers may be aware that SARRAH, along with most if not all of the allied health sector have consistently expressed serious concerns about the design and effectiveness of the WIP - which has been designed essentially to support GP (not allied health practitioners) and about which almost no public access or performance information is available.
Nonetheless, it provides some acknowledgement and potentially the opportunity to input. According to an AMA media release issued on Thursday 5 May AMA Welcomes Election Focus on Rural Health, the ALP intends to match these announcements (although, at time of writing we have not seen advice from the ALP confirming this).
For those of you who want to dig deeper into the differences on health policy between the major parties, the following links are helpful:
The Conversation - How do the major parties rate on medicare: We asked five experts and Croakey’s continuing election health updates.
And….. for the truly avid - Croakey is also holding an on-line forum this Sunday (8 May) on Rural Health - you can register here.
Both parties committed to reduce the cost of medicines - The Coalition announced that, if elected, it would lower the Maximum Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) co-payment from $42.50 to $32.50. Labor announced said, if elected, it would lower the co-payment even further to $30.00.
Allied health in aged care? Important, but not to be addressed from Opposition.
On Friday 29 April, ALP Shadow Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Clare O’Neil MP, participated in an on-line discussion organised by the Council of the Ageing (COTA) and hosted by Ian Yates, COTA Chief Executive and chair of the national Council of Elders, formed in the wake of the Royal Commission. COTA is hosting a series of discussion with politicians during the campaign. In a lengthy discussion, Mr Yates, responding to our on-line questions, asked about Labor’s plan regarding allied health in aged care. Ms O’Neil’s response was to acknowledge it is an important issue but noted the resources available to the Opposition are limited and this would be an issue they would deal with if they won Government - “I’m very keen to address it, but not from Opposition”. In that event, Ms O’Neil indicated she would “sit down with the Department”. Given the extent of sector concern about the issue we broader consultation will inform action. You can access the recording of the session here. The relevant section is from around 38 minutes and 30 seconds into the session.
In other election news:
The influential Group of Eight (Go8) universities released a (30 page) report “Securing Australia’s Medical Workforce Will Avert Pending Health Crisis” aimed at influencing an incoming government to increase domestic medical places. The Go8 are all metropolitan based (with campuses elsewhere) and have the majority of medical places.
Readers will be aware that the number of undergraduate medical training places is a hotly contested issue in Australia, with many medical bodies arguing that there are sufficient training places already. Some argue the issue is to distribute them so more training occurs in rural settings. Of course, established medical schools (and universities) generally don’t want to lose places. It isn’t surprising then that some argue for an increase overall. However not everyone agrees.
- The AMA cautioned against the move suggesting it was “premature, and potentially diverts funding away from where it is desperately needed” and the Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) “strongly opposes the Group of Eight Universities' recommendation” saying "The simplistic suggestion that increasing medical student numbers is a solution to the multi-faceted problems facing healthcare is false and irresponsible. Having more medical students will not fix the maldistribution of Australian doctors nor ease current workforce pressures," citing modelling “by the Department of Health suggests that by 2030 we will have an oversupply of 7,000 doctors. This is due to an almost doubling of medical school places in Australia from 2,222 to 4,153 between 2006 and 2021”. The Royal College of Physicians backed the Go8 call, but noted student places also need to be matched by employment positions.
- Despite the Government’s modelling, the medical workforce remains the focus of the large majority of Commonwealth Health investment.
- Australia does have a comparatively high number of doctors on a population basis, but has serious problems with distribution and too few choosing to be GPs.
- As SARRAH constantly points out however, access to allied health professionals in rural and remote Australia is severely restricted by workforce shortages and demand for this working is growing at a faster rate than for other health professions.
- SARRAH has also sought advice from the Go8 as to whether they will be issuing similar policy papers relating to the allied health workforce
The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) continued efforts to push for specified allied health funding for aged care in the Federal Government's proposed new funding tool, the AN-ACC. The APA launched a campaign promoting how physiotherapists can help our ageing to maintain their physical and mental health, reduce falls, manage pain and increase their quality of life.
Incumbent Minister for Regional Education, Bridget McKenzie announced “more than $700,000 will be provided to six projects under Phase 1 of the Regional Partnerships Project Pool Program” to help more regional Australians pursue higher education opportunities.
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Report delivered after more than two year inquiry in NSW
On 5 May, the NSW Parliament released its report Health outcomes and access to health and hospital services in rural, regional and remote New South Wales
SARRAH contributed a written submission (January 2021) to this Inquiry and presented evidence before the Committee. The Chairperson’s opening statement notes “Overall, the committee has found that residents of rural, regional and remote New South Wales have poorer health outcomes and inferior access to health and hospital services, and face significant financial challenges in accessing these services, compared to their metropolitan counterparts. This is a situation that can and should not be seen as acceptable.” The NSW upper house committee was chaired by the ALP Opposition and NSW Regional Health Minister, Bronnnie Taylor, responded to the report with:
“The NSW Government has today reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening healthcare in rural and regional NSW, following the publication of the findings and recommendations of the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry. Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the Inquiry shone a light where it needed to, hearing directly from rural and regional communities, patients, their families and healthcare workers. "To those who shared their deeply personal experiences, thank you. The NSW Government has listened and accepts that there is a need to do more to improve patient care in regional and rural locations," Mrs Taylor said.” Minister Taylor indicated a full response will be delivered in coming months.
SARRAH notes this is an extensive report and encourage members working in NSW especially to consider the:
- Summary of Findings - 21 in all - can be found on pages xii through xiv. Allied health acknowledged, but again inadequate focus, such as in maldistribution - lack of objective advice?
- Recommendations - 44 - summarised on pages xv-xxi and
- Specific section on Allied Health - pages 111-115.
There is scope for strong further engagement with Minister Taylor and NSW officials in addressing the issues raised in the report, but that will require strong advocacy to ensure the prominence of allied health is markedly improved in the provision of health services in rural NSW. On page 141 the report states “In relation to allied health, we urge NSW Health to finalise the workforce plans currently being developed across 14 allied health professions as quickly as possible.”
Several recommendations open the prospect for a substantial improvement in allied health service and workforce enabling supports.
SARRAH is cited substantially - with both President Ed Johnson and CEO Cath Maloney quoted in the report.
That said, the Recommendations themselves do not match the focus needed to address the gaps with regard to allied health, and the Committee’s report tends to be more specific in looking to bolster hospital-based, medical and nursing services and workforces.
We note, the Department provided the Committee with the following workforce statistics.
“There were 41,916 registered health professionals based in regional New South Wales in 2020, including 5,694 doctors, 24,259 nurses and midwives and 5,061 full-time equivalent allied health workers”. (Page 8).
- One observation we make about these figures is that AHPs make up around 12 percent of this workforce.
- Nationally AHPs are about 25 per cent of the health professionals.
- Notwithstanding arguments about who’s responsibility it is, allied health professionals are under-represented in rural and remote NSW (and Australia) across every service system and this has a detrimental impact of the health and wellbeing of people living there.
State Budgets
Both Victoria and WA delivered state Budgets this week. We’ll identify the most pertinent elements in Connected next week, but for now, see:
Victoria - Which includes a Better at Home program - to help more than 15,000 Victorians access home-based care each year, in addition to telehealth check-ups.
It allows Victorians to access experienced nurses, clinicians and allied health professionals at home, surrounded by their loved ones as part of a more convenient and tailored experience.
Western Australia
External Grant Opportunities
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Are you seeing unmet need in your community and having to turn clients away because you don’t have capacity to see them? Have you thought about employing an AHA but don’t know where to start?
If yes, then this course is for you!
Listen to Dr Anna Moran, the presenter of the course
By the end of the course you will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Outline the key steps required to design and implement AHA models of care in rural settings
- Outline the core principles of workforce redesign
- Design a model of AHA care to fit your individual setting
- Generate an implementation plan for your new AHA model of care
- Develop strategies to ensure that your AHA model of care is successful
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
CLICK HERE TO ENROL
Course Management
SARRAH Online courses are being managed by Dr Melodie Bat, Education Program Manager and she will be the best person to contact for more information and for your membership discount code at melodie@sarrah.org.au.
If you would like to take advantage of the SARRAH membership discount, then please visit www.sarrah.org.au for more info on our membership options.
OTHER SARRAH ONLINE COURSES
SARRAH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM - COMMENCES 16 May 2022 - LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE
SARRAH GRANT WRITING COURSE - FREE FOR MEMBERS
INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
DISCOUNTED PRICE AVAILABLE FOR MEMBERS
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The program supports rural and remote workforce development in private and non-government organisations that provide allied health services in MMM 3-7 areas.
For the eligible organisations SARRAH will provide:
Education fees assistance for early career allied health professionals wishing to commence on the allied health rural generalist pathway. These fees will cover the Rural Generalist Program (JCU) for new graduates commencing on the Level 1 AHRG Pathway, or the Graduate Diploma of Rural Generalist Practice (JCU) for early career professionals.
Workplace training grants are paid directly to the organisation. These grants can be used to cover backfill/and or support the rural generalist trainee to complete education, supervision, and project components of the program.
Your organisation will provide you with:
- support for the trainee to complete the formal education
- structured supervision
- allocated development time
- a service development project and project support and guidance
More information can be found in the program guidelines
Your employer can apply via this link
contact us at tahrgets@sarrah.org.au
Please share this information with your collogues and networks.
CLICK HERE FOR THE PROGRAM FLYER
This project is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health
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SARRAH Members exclusive - save $500!
Expert Mentor Program (EMP)
6 June – Interactive Online - Only 6 spots available.
SARRAH has engaged Women and Leadership Australia (WLA) to run their highly-regarded Expert Mentor Program at discounted price of ($395+GST) exclusively for SARRAH members.
NOTE THIS IS OPEN TO ALL GENDERS - NOT ONLY WOMEN!!
The EMP is designed to equip leaders with the confidence and ability to be effective mentors. Guided by experts with practical mentoring experience, participants will explore the mindsets and approaches needed to create meaningful outcomes for their mentees.
“The Expert Mentor Program is about paying it forward. It’s about enabling today’s leaders to cultivate meaningful relationships with the next generation and become the role models they so critically need.”
Dr Janet Smith, WLA Director of Program
Program Snapshot
| Delivery Format |
Interactive Online |
| Duration |
Full Day (10:00am – 5:00pm AEST) |
Fee (normal price)
SARRAH Members |
$895pp +GST
$395pp +GST |
| Inclusions |
Digital workbook provided |
| Participant Level |
Current and aspiring mentors |
Learning outcome:
- Define mentoring and understand how it differs from other helping practices
- Explore the mentoring mindset and reflective practices
- Learn the elements of successful mentoring partnerships
- Understand the phases of the mentor relationship and practice tools for each phase
- Engage in peer group discussion to both support and challenge your thinking
Limited spaces are available at this discounted price.
Register your interest by Friday, 20 May 2022 at sarrah@sarrah.org.au
Interested, but not a member? We’d welcome your membership Join here.
Read more here: WLA-Expert-Mentor-Program.pdf (wtaa.edu.au)
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We had a cracking discussion at our inaugural meeting of The Crackle earlier this week. Join us for our next meeting in May, where we will be discussing "Radical Candor" by Kim Scott. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, 24 May at 7:00 pm AEST.
While it is not essential to read the book to join the conversation, you will need to be a member of SARRAH to attend.
Click here to register - We will provide details closer to the date.
Not a member? Join here
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Conference Abstracts Closing on 31 May 2022
The scientific presentations include oral presentations, lightning presentations, seminar and E-poster.
Member Stories:
Do you have an inspirational or inspiring story to tell from your time as a rural and remote allied health professional?
For more information for abstract submission please click here
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT
Conference Registration includes:
- Access to all online sessions
- Access to all recorded sessions for 3 months post conference
- Online networking opportunities via the Meeting Hub
- Access to full Online Exhibitor Listing
Register online to receive a tax invoice. Payments can be made securely with a credit card when registering online or by EFT within 7 days of registering. For more information contact mail@conferencedesign.com.au
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Sponsorship Opportunities
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
KEEP IN TOUCH
You can subscribe for conference updates HERE so you are the first in the know of any news or developments. We look forward to sharing more conference developments and program details with you in the coming weeks.
For more information about the conference please click here SARRAH National Conference 2022
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Does your organisation have a rural or remote health vacancy that you wish to advertise? Please complete and submit the Advertising Listing Form to sarrah@sarrah.org.au .
Please please read our Advertising Flyer or contact SARRAH at sarrah@sarrah.org.au and a team member will be in contact with you to discuss your requirements.
Please see below the rural remote job opportunities available:
1. Speech Pathologist, Gayndah, Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service
2. Speech Pathologist, AHP1/2 - Port Pirie, SA
3. Paediatric Occupational Therapist, Alice Springs, NT Health
4.Director, Medical Education and Training (SA) - College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University
5. Director, University Department of Rural Health (NT) - Flinders University
6.Exercise Physiologist, Corryong Health - 21 Hours per week (Negotiable)
7. Occupational Therapist, Corryong Health - 16 hours per week (Fixed Term)
8. Allied Health Assistant, Corryong Health- Part time/Casual (Negotiable)
9. Physiotherapist, Corryong Health - Part time/Full time ( Negotiable)
10. Occupational Therapist - Well Balanced Care
11 .Senior Speech Pathologist - Community Allied Health and Aged Care, Alice Springs
12. Psychologist - Well Balanced Care, Cairns
13. Exercise Physiologist - Active Performance, Cairns, QLD
14. Speech Therapist - Active Performance, Cairns, QLD
15. Social Worker - Active Performance, Cairns, QLD
16. Occupational Therapist - Active Performance, Cairns, QLD
17. Physiotherapist- Active Performance, Cairns, QLD
18. Physiotherapist - Corryong Health
19. Occupational Therapist - Dundaloo Health Service, Mid North Coast Region of NSW
20. Psychologist or Accredited Clinical Social Worker - Dundaloo Health Services
21. Clinical Educator (Allied Health) - Southern Queensland Rural Health, Charleville
22. Speech Pathologist Rural Generalist - Mount Isa, QLD
23. Physiotherapist- Arnhem Physiotherapy Services, Nhulunbuy NT 0800
24. Speech Pathologist - Capability Health
25. Occupational Therapist - Capability Health
26. Physiotherapist- Capability Health
27. Speech Pathologist - Moranbah, QLD
28. Clinical Psychologist - Moranbah, QLD
29. Physiotherapist - Moranbah, QLD
30. Occupational Therapist - Whitsundays, QLD
31. Physiotherapist - Wodonga VIC
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Copyright © 2022 Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH). All rights reserved.
Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health
Level 2, 53 Blackall Street, Barton, ACT, 2600
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