ACRRM says today, RU OK and World Suicide Prevention Day, provides a timely reminder to rural and remote health professionals to look after themselves and each other.

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A Queensland Government trial to enable pharmacies in the state to undertake COVID testing is a recipe for disaster and a sure-fire way to spread the virus, Australia’s peak rural medical bodies warned again today. ACRRM and RDAA said it would be “incredibly difficult” to control the spread of the virus in pharmacies, if customers with symptoms attend pharmacies to be tested.

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The latest figures on unintentional drug deaths in Australia show why it has been so important for changes to be made to the way opioids are prescribed. ACRRM and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) supported changes introduced in June by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which included reduced pack sizes for opioid medications. ​

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As travel restrictions are eased across much of Australia, rural doctors are urging visitors to their towns to work with them to ensure the local doctor workforce can continue to provide sustainable health services after what has been a horror year. ACRRM and the RDAA say public education is crucial in informing visitors that hospital care in rural areas relies on local GPs being called out of their homes after-hours - not in-house doctors who are at the hospital all the time. ​

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Rural Australians are being urged to ensure they are not avoiding important medical checks for chronic conditions or other potentially serious illnesses during the COVID-19 crisis. ACRRM and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) warned today that delaying important health checks now could have serious implications in the months to come.

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ACRRM announces Dr Sarah Chalmers will lead the College as President from October 2020. Dr Chalmers will succeed Dr Ewen McPhee whose two-year tenure as President ends at the College’s Annual General Meeting.

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The rapid spread of COVID-19 through aged care settings in Victoria is an early warning bell for aged care providers everywhere to urgently assess their lines of defence against coronavirus, Australia’s peak rural medical bodies said today. ACRRM and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) have warned that now is the time for aged care facilities, regardless of their location and size, to critically review their current infection control protocols.

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Australia’s peak rural medical bodies have urged rural Australians to ensure they are looking out for their mental health as the COVID-19 pandemic continues and heightened restrictions return in some states. ACRRM and the RDAA said those concerned about their own mental health, or that of their family or friends, should ensure they get help as soon as possible, rather than holding off.

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With 10 Victorians in their 20s in intensive care with COVID-19, it’s clear that it’s a killer for young and old alike, Australia’s peak rural medical bodies warned today. ACRRM and RDAA are urging young rural Australians to take social distancing, mask wearing and hand hygiene messages very seriously.

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Australia’s peak rural medical bodies say now is an ideal time for families to ensure their relatives in rural aged care facilities are well prepared for potential lockdowns in the weeks and months ahead. ACRRM and RDAA said while lockdowns may not eventuate, it is better for families to be prepared early.

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With more than 500 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Victoria yesterday, and NSW continuing to battle outbreaks, rural doctors say all Australians – including those in rural communities – need to take COVID-19 seriously and treat it like the killer disease it is.

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The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) welcomes the announcement the government has committed further funding to support Rural Generalist training as part of its commitment to deliver better health outcomes for rural communities.

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With more cases of COVID-19 being confirmed in regional locations, rural Australians must remain vigilant in protecting themselves, their families and communities, ACRRM and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) warn.

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Australia’s peak rural medical bodies have warned rural Australians that, while most of the recent COVID-19 cases have been in metropolitan areas, there is significant potential for new cases to present in rural communities in the coming weeks. Both ACRRM and The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) have urged those living in, and travelling through, rural communities to ensure they don’t drop the ball on COVID-19 and are being COVID safe at all times.

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It’s more important than ever to adopt safe practices including downloading the COVIDSafe App to minimise the spread of coronavirus, say peak rural medical bodies ACRRM and Rural Doctors Association (RDAA). And, without acting now, it could be too late.

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The appointment of Associate Professor Ruth Stewart as the National Rural Health Commissioner will keep the implementation of the National Rural Generalist Pathway (NRGP) on track and ensure all rural and remote Australians have access to the healthcare they deserve, says the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).

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While masks can play an important role in preventing the spread of coronavirus, the ‘gold standard’ defence against COVID-19 is still social distancing and hand-washing – and it is critical that all Australians continue to follow these measures diligently, ACRRM and Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) said today.

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With the NSW and Victorian ski resorts starting to open for the 2020 ski season, rural doctors are warning skiers and snowboarders that they must do everything they can to be COVID safe. Peak rural medical bodies, ACRRM and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA), have warned that includes self-isolating and getting tested - even if you are already partway through your snow holiday.

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With preventable hospitalisations and deaths occurring every day from the misuse of opioids, changes are being made to the way they are prescribed. Rural peak bodies, the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) are supporting the regulation changes in relation to labelling and pack sizes, saying that opioids can hide symptoms that should be checked by your GP.

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With COVID-19 rapidly fading from memories with the relaxing of restrictions, rural doctors are sending a reminder that social distancing needs to be the ‘new normal’. Dr Adam Coltzau, Clinical lead of the COVID-19 Rural and Remote Response said that an increase in presentations of the common cold to doctors’ surgeries is a telling sign.

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