ACRRM welcomes National Rural Health Commissioner bill introduction

The Australian College of Rural & Remote Medicine welcomes the announcement today that the Health Insurance Amendment (National Rural Health Commissioner) Bill 2017 has been introduced into parliament by the Hon. Dr David Gillespie, MP, Assistant Minister for Health. This bill establishes the role of a National Rural Health Commissioner.

‘The National Rural Health Commissioner will be an independent advocate, advising government on regional and rural health reform and representing the needs and rights of regional, rural and remote Australians and will lead the establishment of a National Rural Generalist Pathway’, said Associate Professor Ruth Stewart, ACRRM President.

‘The establishment of this statutory office holder position under the Health Insurance Act offers ongoing sustained attention to health and health services in rural and remote communities.

‘The College has been working towards the implementation of a National Rural Generalist Pathway for a number of years, and we are pleased that this important initiative has been given a high priority.

‘The National Rural Generalist Pathway develops doctors with a wide range of advanced procedural skills, making it the ideal solution to chronic skills and workforce shortages in rural and remote communities.

‘The College looks forward to working closely with the Commissioner on all issues that affect the health of rural and remote communities, our Fellows and members’, she said.