Over the past few weeks we have been promoting awareness of the acute shortage of rural allied health workforce experienced by providers across the country. In the many conversations I have in all sorts of forums each week I am hearing the same thing: Allied Health Professionals are in short supply, and the situation is worsening.
Urgent action is needed to bolster the rural workforce pipeline to support aspiring allied health professionals as school leavers through to graduate and early career to ensure they see rural practice as a serious pathway for them. The former National Rural Health Commissioner explored this in depth in his June 2020 report. In October of that year the Federal Government announced additional funding through the University Departments of Rural Health to support undergraduate rural training. Grant opportunities are currently circulating to enable UDRHs to support rural workforce growth, especially in the aged care sector.
A major challenge to everyone involved here is the short supply of undergraduate rural clinical placements for allied health students. While there are many factors impacting on the availability of clinical placements, one issue I'd like to highlight is the limited capacity of experienced AHPs to provide teaching and training to undergraduates in the workplace. Although there is some variability in the public sector, teaching and training in allied health services is not always accounted for in activity-based funding models, meaning that the time taken by senior clinicians to teach may not be included in activity data. The private sector is even more challenging since there is little that a private practitioner can claim in rebates (MBS, private health insurance etc) for services delivered by students. This means that even when universities offer to pay AHPs to take on students, there are limitations in terms of learning opportunities for students in primary care settings. There systemic barriers must be addressed if we are to widen the pipeline and expose more students to high-quality rural placements.
There are many systemic barriers to growing a fit-for-purpose rural multidisciplinary health workforce. We continue to call for a systematic, integrated approach to address these barriers, even if it is by addressing just one hurdle at a time.
Stay Safe!
Cath
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The next SARRAH AGM is scheduled to be held on Friday, 26 November 2021 at 12:00pm (AEDT).
You may have considered playing a more integral role in the governance of SARRAH through serving on the SARRAH Board.
SARRAH is now calling for nominations for members interested in seeking election to its Board of Directors. I encourage you to consider nominating and contributing to SARRAH’s strategic objectives.
Nominations are sought from members with demonstrated experience and skills, in areas such as strategy, governance, and financial literacy.
The nominations close on Wednesday, 3 November 2021.
For more information please click here.
Please note that you need to log in as a member to view this content.
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Attention all NAHSSS scholars that have been supported by SARRAH over the last decade!
Consultants AHP Workforce have been contracted to conduct the evaluation as a research project that will explore and understand the impact of the allied health scholarship support streams (NAHSSS) on the supply and retention of allied health professionals in rural areas over time.
Please expect an email invitation to an anonymous questionnaire in your inbox next week. If you don’t receive an invite please reach out to us here at SARRAH.
The NAHSSS was one of the most comprehensive Commonwealth funded scholarship schemes rural allied health has seen. This research will help us to inform future policy direction around the recruitment and retention of AHPs to rural areas.
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Submissions
SARRAH has provided a submission to the Senate Community Affairs Committee Inquiry into the provision of GP and related primary health services to outer metropolitan, rural, and regional Australians.
Our submission emphasises the need to include allied health explicitly and substantially in considering primary health care (and other services where allied health is needed) and that the shortages in allied health service and workforce across rural and remote Australia are severe and longstanding. Expanding the AHRGP and a more substantial and urgent response to the former National Rural Health Commissioner’s allied health report would both be steps in the right direction. The Submission will be placed on SARRAHs website once we hear from the Senate Committee.
Raising our interests with Federal National Party parliamentarians
Late last week SARRAH wrote to all Federal National Party parliamentarians to highlight the acute shortages in allied health across rural and remote Australia, that the projected demand for these and other skilled jobs in the Health and Social Assistance sector will exacerbate those shortages substantially without concerted, coordinated and sustained effort. SARRAH encouraged the National Party to look to recognise and act on these opportunities in their current deliberations to promote the future interests of rural Australia.
Consultations
A reminder to members that the Commonwealth Government is holding a public consultation on the draft Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan. Written submissions can be provided until 11:59pm, 29 November 2021. More information is available at https://consultations.health.gov.au/primary-care-mental-health[1]division/draft-primary-health-care-10-year-plan. SARRAH will provide a submission. One of SARRAHs primary roles in supporting members and rural and remote communities is to promote operating, policy and program environments that enable you to deliver services where they are needed. That means ensuring services, regardless of the sector(s) you work in are viable, sustainable and recognised for what you do to improve health, well-being, access and equity. The Primary Health Care Plan needs to reflect that.
NDIS Reports
The ever active Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS released its report on Independent Assessment on Tuesday this week, 19 October. A link to the report can be found here.
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Services Australia Updates
Services Australia have created an eKit to promote web services and help your members and customers to prepare for the web services changes. The eKit contains factsheets, process flow charts and updates that you can print, share, and include links in your digital material. Please click here to download the eKit.
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Climate and Health Alliance Update (CAHA) - Join together we can!
Ahead of the next federal election, Climate and Health Alliance working with the allies to get as many climate stories out there as possible. CAHA is calling for human stories to put in front of our elected leaders, and make them impossible to ignore.
Together We Can is collecting thousands of climate stories from across Australia, and will take them to Parliament House in 2022. There are so many reasons to want stronger climate action. What's yours?
Read more here
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Consumer Health Forum Rural, Regional & Remote Roundtable - Expression if Interest Now Open
Do you live in a rural an, regional or remote area?
Are you interested in the issue of access to health services in regional, rural or remote areas?
Does your social/professional/community network have particular health service access issues you think need to be discussed and addressed?
Do you feel you could have something to contribute to a one-day, roundtable discussion focusing on finding some consumer-driven solutions to your health access problems?
If yes, please take a look at the Expression of Interest form below, to join CHF, the National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA) and the National Rural Health Commissioner, Ruth Stewart, at the Regional, Rural and Remote Roundtable on Health Service Access on Wednesday, 1 December from 10am to 3.15pm AEDT.
Click here to express your interest.
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Australian Digital Health Agency - Online Training
The agency has launched three new eLearning modules that are CPD accredited and self-paced:
- My Health Record in General Practice (2021)
- My Health Record Security, Privacy and Access
- Introduction to My Health Record for Healthcare providers.
Upcoming webinars
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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.
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
Physiotherapist AHP1/AHP2 - Eyre and far North Local Health Network, Port Lincoln
The Physiotherapist (AHP1), with clinical support from the Senior Physiotherapist, is responsible to the Regional Community Health Team Leader for contributing to the delivery of a comprehensive and integrated range of health services, appropriate to the needs of the local community. 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.
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