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After two years of development, the Government is consulting on its draft 10 Year Primary Health Care Plan.  We welcome the Plan and as we noted in a recent Connected, there’s much that is positive in it, it builds from important, innovative thinking by the Primary Health Reform Steering Group, and it appears to have been responsive to feedback. But there are opportunities to clarify and improve what this will mean for rural and remote allied health service access and practice.  We’ll be looking at that over the next few weeks ahead of lodging our submission, which is due by 29 November 2021. 

The Plan … "represents a high-level response to the draft recommendations of the Primary Health Reform Steering Group, which has been working since October 2019 on future directions for primary health care reform. The focus of the 10 Year Plan is Australia’s primary health care services provided through general practices, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS), community pharmacies, allied health services, mental health services, community health and community nursing services and dental and oral health services".(Source: The Hon Greg Hunt MP - Media Release 13 October 2021)

Two of the points we’ve stressed throughout the development process, and elsewhere, are:

  • Primary Health Care is about more than medical general practice. The Government’s draft Plan picks up the point more clearly and directly than has been evident in the process to this point. It is very welcome. As AHPs know, this is a fundamental issue that is more than semantic and goes to the core of what services are recognised as contributing to the health and well-being of the community and what services are supported to that purpose.
  • Decision-makers must better understand the breadth and circumstances of AHP practice if the policies they oversight and develop are to better match services, access and population health outcomes. 

Regular readers may be aware of our reservations about the Commonwealth’s Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) which is occasionally pointed to as a leading Commonwealth support for allied health service access in rural areas. In 2019, an extension to the pre-existing WIP was announced for certain AHP services. Yet we still have little to no information about take-up, targeting, service types, or resourcing. Apart from the apparent lack data, a core concern with the WIP as regards allied health, is that the service must be provided through a GP practice: with no avenue for direct access to an AHP – even one with an established practice in the same rural community. Is this efficient or patient-centred? The WIP measure was developed without, we understand, input from SARRAH or other allied health peak bodies. And that seems to be the problem. Despite enormous shifts and evolution of the health system over recent decades, too much of the policy framework AHPs are expected to work and deliver services through seems super-glued to a 1980’s mindset, where the hospital, community-based GPs and occasional, public sector funded community health clinics “exist” – regardless of funding shifts, withdrawals and re-allocations. Developments in clinical knowledge, capacity and expertise might be recognised - if and when it suits. 

In very recent years, the Commonwealth has resorted less to the argument that allied health is a State and Territory issue: a questionable assertion in light of responsibilities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, chronic disease management, mental health, veterans’ health and Private Health Insurance.  The imperative is now impossible to ignore given the NDIS and, we hope, aged care service needs. 

Of course, the arguments in support of allied health will be more compelling when current gaps in AHP workforce and service data are addressed: but we have enough now to dispel the myth described above, tenacious as it can be. The following table is derived from the Department of Health’s workforce data set.


SARRAH is always interested in better understanding and presenting the nuances and complexities involved in delivering allied health care in rural and remote Australia: please share these with us. Your insights and examples can make a big impression on decision-makers’ understanding of issues: more than you may realise. They are powerful. The other thing that should be powerful is basic, even overwhelming, facts: but too often they aren’t enough.

We want to use both in our Submission to the Government.     

Stay Safe!
Cath

 


SARRAH AGM: The next SARRAH AGM is scheduled to be held on Friday, 26 November 2021 at 12:00pm (AEDT).

SARRAH Board Nomination - Close on 3 November 2021
Nominations are sought from members with demonstrated experience and skills, in areas such as strategy, governance, and financial literacy.


For more information please click here. Please note that you need to log in as a member to view this content.

The Australian Journal of Rural Health (AJRH) Volume 29, Issue 5 
AJRH October release is now available to review. The Journal features:
  • Editorials - Return of the unexpected: Rural workforce recruitment and retention in the era of COVID‐19 and Australia's Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training program: Preparing for the rural health workforce that Australia needs.
  • Reviews - Importance of attachment to place in growing a sustainable Australian Rural Health Workforce: A rapid review, Building a rural workforce through identifying supports for rural, mature‐aged nursing and allied health students: A systematic scoping review
    and Retention of General Practitioners in remote areas of Canada and Australia: A meta‐aggregation of qualitative research.
  • Original Researches: some of the research topics includes, Rural employment, rural allied health workforce challenges, Empowering clinicians in smaller sites and more. 
SARRAH members can access to full journal via the Membership Resources page on the SARRAH website.
WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK TO IMPROVE OUR SERVICES!

The Annual SARRAH Engagement Survey is now open for your feedback. Thank you very much to those who have already completed the survey.

The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes – please click on the link to have your say – and feel free to send on to your colleagues:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SARRAH_Engagement_Survey. The survey will close on Friday 3 December.
 
SARRAH: Making a difference – together!
 
Edward Johnson, President and Cath Maloney, CEO
 
SARRAH is looking for self-motivated and innovative team members in Project Support or Project Officer positions. The positions are part-time (FTE negotiable), until June 30 2024. There is no specific location of work for these roles, with options available for remote working environments. 

SARRAH Project Officer (Identified) - The position will have a specific emphasis on engaging with and promoting allied health workforce development and service capacity with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The position requires the incumbent to have a demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with a knowledge of health and/or related policy and service issues. Read more here 

SARRAH Project Officer - This position is designed to work closely with the Project Director, CEO and project team, role will support the implementation and monitoring of project activities within SARRAH including, the Allied Health Rural Generalist Education and Training Scheme and the Building Rural and Remote Allied Health Assistant Workforce project. Read more here

Applications close on 7 November 2021.

Please contact  Gemma Tuxworth, Principal Project Manager (ARHGWES) 0491 207 215 or  gemma@sarrah.org.au for further information.

SARRAH SUBMISSIONS AND REPRESENTATIONS 

Health outcomes and access to health and hospital services in rural, regional and remote New South Wales
In January this year, SARRAH provided a Submission to the NSW Legislative Council (upper house) parliamentary inquiry into 'Health outcomes and access to health and hospital services in rural, regional and remote New South Wales'. This is a long running inquiry. Earlier this week we received an invitation to appear before the Inquiry at a public hearing on Friday, 3 December 2021 – from 10.55 am to 11.40 am.  We anticipate SARRAH Members will be familiar with the issues discussed, which impact rural and remote AHPs and communities across Australia.

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Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Participant Service Guarantee and Other Measures) Bill 2021

SARRAH has been invited to provide a submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee which is inquiring into the abovenamed Bill. The Committee is due to report by 25 November 2021. The Bill and accompanying documents can be accessed at: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/NDISParticipantService
The Committee is seeking submissions and requesting these be lodged by Monday 8 November 2021.

As ever, if SARRAH members would like to contribute to raise an issue or contribute to a SARRRAH Submission, please contact allan@sarrah.org.au.

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Palliative Care Services in Australia

Palliative care services in Australia has been published as a web only report since 2015. Read the report here
Palliative care services aim to improve the quality of life of patients with an active, progressive disease who have little or no prospect of cure. With the growth and ageing of Australia's population, and an increase of chronic and generally incurable illnesses, the types of patient groups requiring palliative care has widened.

Palliative care is delivered in almost all settings where health care is provided, including neonatal units, paediatric services, acute hospitals, general practices, community settings (such as people's own homes) and residential aged care services. Specialist services operate from a variety of settings, including inpatient, hospice and community based services.

The introduction to the Report cites a detailed WHO definition of palliative care, which includes – “Palliative care: ….Uses a team approach to address the needs of patients and their families, including bereavement counselling, if indicated.”

However, the AIHW do not appear to recognise allied health professionals as being among the palliative care workforce: with the data collection concentrating wholly on doctors and nurses.   Others, such as the Australian Government Department of Health, Palliative Care Australia, the Victorian Government, the Tasmanian Government, the Cancer Council (Victoria and NSW), the U.S. National Institute on Ageing, the UK National Health Service (NHS), various Australian universities offering Masters of Palliative Care (or similar) to a range of health professional graduates, and many more seem to take a different view, identifying numerous allied health professions as having a role in palliative care.   We’ll add another letter to the list. 
 
If you work with people receiving palliative care, we’d be interested to hear from you. Please contact allan@sarrah.org.au.
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Coming Soon - Aged Care Nursing and Allied Health Dementia Scholarships
 
We recently reported in Connected, that the Aged Care Nursing and Allied Health Dementia Scholarships, announced by the Commonwealth Government in the 2021-22 Budget would open for application in the near future.  Over 150 scholarships will be available for allied health professionals wanting to gain qualifications in dementia care.  The scholarship program will be managed by the Australian College of Nursing (ACN).  We anticipate the Grant Opportunity, for which the ACN is the only eligible applicant, should be formalised shortly and applications for the scholarships advertised shortly afterward.  We’ll let you know as things develop.  

Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training Program (RHMTP) funding to continue

On Sunday 23 October, Minister for Regional Health, Dr David Gillespie MP, announced funding agreements with universities under the RHMTP would be extended for a further three years.  This is welcome but not surprising news.  Existing funding arrangements were due to expire on 31 December 2021. The RHMTP provides funding for University Departments of Rural Health, among other things. An Evaluation of the RHMTP completed in 2020 recommended greater emphasis go to allied health.  The announcement noted the “program provides high-quality clinical rural training experiences for students in a range of career paths, including GPs, nurses, dentists and allied health professionals”, but we have yet to see whether or how the increased emphasis on allied health will be achieved. Please read the press release here.


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AIHW releases report on MBS subsidised GP, Allied Health and Specialists care by Local Areas: 2019-20 to 2020

On Wednesday, 27 October, the AIHW released a report on non-hospital Medicare-subsidised services, such as GP, allied health, specialist, diagnostic imaging, and nursing and Aboriginal health workers.  Little surprise that the overarching finding is that use of these services “varies depending on where a person lives in Australia”. Among the reported findings – “In 2020-21, people living in metropolitan Primary Health Network (PHN) areas were less likely to visit their GP than people from regional areas. However, on average, those people in metropolitan PHN areas who did see a GP received more services.”
The release includes a large dataset, which SARRAH will need some time to assess.  It promises to be a valuable resource – we hope – and will share any highlights we find over coming weeks.  See: here to access the AIHW report.


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Climate and Health Alliance Update (CAHA)

Climate and Health Alliance released a framework for Healthy, Regenerative and Just: a framework for a national strategy on climate, health and wellbeing.

The framework offers strategies for comprehensive climate risk management. It is not a framework just for the health sector - it offers a pathway to responding to climate change in ways that also protects health and wellbeing and tackles historical injustices. It calls for strong 2030 targets, for climate financing, and for children and young people to have a seat at the table on climate decisions.

The intention of the framework is to provide a roadmap that can be progressed into a formalised strategy and implemented by the federal government in cooperation with states and territories.

Here is the framework 2-page summary
Here is the full framework.


Does your organisation have a rural or remote health vacancy? To advertise here please complete the Advertising Listing Form and submit to sarrah@sarrah.org.au.

Early Career Social Worker: Rural Generalist Program
This is an excellent opportunity to be part of the Hunter New England’s Local health District (HNELHD) Allied Health Rural Generalist Program. The program aims to provide early career allied health professionals with the experience of living and working in rural areas, while developing the skills to cope with rural practice – in a sole position if necessary. Read more here

Occupational Therapist - Bundaberg Hospital
An exciting opportunity is currently available for experienced Occupational Therapists to join the Occupational Therapy Department at the Bundaberg Hospital within the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service. The Wide Bay area is arguably one of the most beautiful regions of Queensland. The Health Service stretches from Agnes Water in the North to Maryborough in the South and provides acute care services to a population of over 200,000 residents including several rural communities. Read more here.

Senior Rehabilitation Consultant - Counsellor
Recovre is looking for talented and motivated allied health professionals including Occupational Therapists, Exercise Physiologist, or Physiotherapists to join our vibrant teams in Newcastle, Townsville, Tamworth , Wollongong. Read more here

Planned Care for Better Health Coordinator - Manning Hospital
The Planned Care for Better Health Coordinator will work autonomously within Manning Hospital, as well as with health services, primary care and community service providers across the LMNC Sector. This dynamic new role will facilitate the provision of integrated care for vulnerable patients at risk of hospitalisation or emergency department presentation, championing collaborative care approaches with patients, families, carers and multidisciplinary teams to achieve identified goals and outcomes. Read more here

Stroke Care Coordinator - Manning Hospital
As the Stroke Care Coordinator, you will be working at Manning Hospital and networking with Stroke Services across HNELHD and NSW Health. In this role, you will innovate, facilitate, support and actively participate in the delivery of evidence based stroke care for residents of Lower Mid North Coast Sector. Read more here

Senior Clinician - Social Worker Level 3 - The Maitland Hospital
We have a part time opportunity for a passionate, skilled professional to join our supportive, small team in community health to provide counselling, support and information across the Lower Hunter Sector! Working closely with community and government agencies, this position providing you with the opportunity to make a difference to those who have experienced sexual assault. Read more here

Regional Physiotherapist, Transitional Care Program - Whyalla and Port Augusta
Working on a full- time ongoing basis, you will apply your clinical experience, increasingly generalist and / or specialist clinical knowledge and professional competence to plan, implement and evaluate a comprehensive and integrated range of services, appropriate to the needs of the local community in Whyalla and Port Augusta. Read more here

Occupational Therapist - Top End Health Service
If you want your career to go places then join Department of Health in the Northern Territory. The challenges and opportunities in health and community care in the Territory are like no other in Australia, from remote Aboriginal health to tropical health and urban tertiary care. Continued investments in Aboriginal health, remote health, acute care and community services offer many opportunities for health professionals who want to be part of making a difference. Read more here 

Speech Pathologist - Alice Springs
The Children’s Development Team in Alice Springs is seeking an enthusiastic paediatric Speech Pathologist to join our friendly and supportive multidisciplinary team. This role is an opportunity to develop your clinical skills and see a unique part of Australia, all whilst making a difference to the lives of children living in Central Australia. The position is based in Alice Springs, and includes some travel to remote communities to deliver outreach services. Read more here 

Rehabilitation Consultants - Darwin, Dubbo and Bathurst
Recovre is looking for talented and motivated allied health professionals including Occupational Therapists, Exercise Physiologist, or Physiotherapists to join their vibrant teams in Darwin, Dubbo and Bathurst. Read more here

Speech Pathologist Level 3 -  Narrabri
This is a Speech Pathologist Level 3 position. However, if there are no appropriate Level 3 applicants, applications from Level 1 and 2 will be considered. The selection criteria reflects the requirements for a Level 3 applicant. Responses from Level 1 or 2 applicants need to demonstrate their level of competence with regard to the same criteria and their ability to work towards Level 3. The expected performance of the incumbent will be commensurate with his/her years of experience and current level at commencement of appointment. The incumbent will work towards meeting the criteria for Level 3. Read more here
 
Occupational Therapist - Dundaloo Health Services
Dundaloo Support Services is a highly regarded person-centred disability service provider of meaningful Supported Independent Living, Community Assistance and Disability Day Programs throughout the beautiful Manning Valley and Great Lakes area in the Mid North Coast region of NSW. Read more here

Psychologist or Accredited Clinical Social Worker - Dundaloo Health Services
Dundaloo Support Services is a highly regarded person-centred disability service provider of meaningful Supported Independent Living, Community Assistance and Disability Day Programs throughout the beautiful Manning Valley and Great Lakes area in the Mid North Coast region of NSW. Read more here 

Clinical Educator (Allied Health) - Southern Queensland Rural Health - Charleville
This position will see you supporting effective, high-quality rural training experiences for undergraduate allied health students across regional, rural, and remote Southern Queensland. You will also facilitate interprofessional learning opportunities during student placements and enhance of support and education to both students and clinical supervisors. Read more here

Speech Pathologist Rural Generalist, Mount Isa, QLD
This opportunity is allowing a Speech Pathologist with min. 2 years' experience to step into a supported leadership position, supervising a small team of new graduate speech pathologists whilst conducting a service planning project through the level 2 Allied Health Rural Generalist Graduate Certificate. Read more here.

Physiotherapist, Nhulunbuy, NT
Arnhem Physiotherapy Services are looking for a Physiotherapist keen for the ultimate adventure living and working throughout beautiful East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. Passionate about helping people and with at least one year of experience in private practice. Read more here.

Speech Pathologist, Cape York, QLD
Capability Health is looking for a Speech Pathologist to become a part of their family. They operate in various locations with a diverse range of people of all ages and backgrounds; meaning every day is different. Capability Health provides friendly, holistic, and necessary allied health services to the community. Read more here.

Occupational Therapist, Cape York, QLD
Capability Health is looking for an Occupational Therapist to become a part of their family. They operate in various locations with a diverse range of people of all ages and backgrounds; meaning every day is different. Capability Health provides friendly, holistic, and necessary allied health services to the community. Read more here.

Physiotherapist, Cape York, QLD
Capability Health is looking for a Physiotherapist to become a part of their family. They operate in various locations with a diverse range of people of all ages and backgrounds; meaning every day is different. Capability Health provides friendly, holistic, and necessary allied health services to the community. Read more here.

Speech Pathologist, Moranbah, QLD
Locally owned private practice in Central Queensland. The practice has a driven and proven focus on ensuring families living in geographically isolated areas of Central Queensland have access to high quality, evidence-based speech pathology services. Read more here.

Clinical Psychologist, Moranbah, QLD
Moranbah is located in the Isaac region of Central Queensland Australia between Mackay and Clermont. Situated on the Peak Downs Highway, the coal mining town of Moranbah services the surrounding farming community as well as the families of those employed in the mining and associated industries. Read more here.

Physiotherapist, Moranbah, QLD
Moranbah is located in the Isaac region of Central Queensland Australia between Mackay and Clermont. Situated on the Peak Downs Highway, the coal mining town of Moranbah services the surrounding farming community as well as the families of those employed in the mining and associated industries. Read more here.

Occupational Therapist, Whitsundays, QLD
Have you ever wanted to live and work in the Whitsundays? Well here is your chance to join our fabulous, close-knit team. A rapidly growing Speech Pathology clinic is seeking an enthusiastic and driven occupational therapist with a desire to make a difference within our community. Read more here.

Physiotherapist, Wodonga VIC
Do you want to re-focus your career? Are you looking for a team that thinks outside the box? What about one day off every month?! You will be mentored to become an exceptional clinician, providing hands-on physio services to a wide range of clients. Join our fun, friendly team! Read more here.

Australian Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium - Online 
3-5&8 November 2021
AASW Conference - Online 
11-13 November 2021
International Mental Health Conference 
October 18-20 -  RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast 

2021 National Closing the Gap First Nations Health Conference 
November 22-24, 2021 - Gold Coast QLD 
2021 National First Nation's Health Conference 
November 24-26 - Sea World Resort, Gold Coast QLD
IAHA National Conference - ONLINE 
1-2 December 2021
2021 First Nations Allied Health Conference

December 13-15 2021 - Pullman Cairns International Hotel, Cairns QLD
Indigenous Wellbeing Conference 

6-7 December at Pullman Cairns International, QLD
3rd National Indigenous NDIS: Working Towards a Better Future Through Partnerships and Co-operation Conference - December 14-17, 2021 - Pullman Cairns International Hotel, Cairns QLD 
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference

28-30 March 2022 - Sea World Resort Conference Centre - Gold Coast
IHPA Innovation and Collaboration - Activity based funding for sustainability in health care
4-6 May 2022 - Hybrid event


Copyright © 2021 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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