ACRRM welcomes new Queensland Office of Rural Health

The establishment of an Office of Rural Health to support doctors and communities outside cities in Queensland is positively welcomed by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).

College President Dr Ewen McPhee says the Queensland Government's  commitment to establish the office to provide people in the bush with increased access to doctors is a great step forward for rural generalism.

“This initiative is entirely in line with our vision of having the right doctors in the right places, with the right skills, providing rural and remote people with excellent health care,” Dr McPhee says.

“We commend Queensland Health Minister Stephen Miles for his forward-thinking actions which recognise the importance of rural health and rural generalism and addresses the needs of rural and remote communities.”

The office is being established to stimulate rural and remote health planning, improve health care access, address workforce requirements and ensure quality and safety for patients living in regions.

“We also acknowledge the Queensland Government’s decision to establish the office out of the city and at the Mount Isa-based North West Hospital and Health Service.