Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine urges government to think rural in the Federal budget

National Rural Generalist Pathway, support for College-led training, and rural health outcomes on the agenda

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) is urging the Federal Government to think of rural communities in the lead up to the Federal Budget release on 7 May, identifying key areas in which the College and the government can work together to improve health outcomes for rural communities.

Associate Professor Ruth Stewart, ACRRM President, says it's time rural generalism was given priority focus as part of the overall health budget.

"The appointment of a National Rural Health Commissioner with a mandate to develop a National Rural Generalist Pathway is a firm step in the right direction for improving rural health outcomes, but when it comes to health, more can always be done," said A/Prof Stewart.

"People living in rural and remote areas continue to experience poorer health outcomes than their urban counterparts, and we would like to see the health budget contain proactive measures to continue to address this disparity.

The College has identified several priority areas for investment.

A commitment to a National Rural Generalist Pathway

There is strong evidence that the rural generalist model of practice provides rural and remote communities with better access to the services that they need.

"But it doesn't stop there; this model of practice also improves recruitment and retention of health professionals, and delivers a wide range of services in a way that is sustainable and cost-effective."

The College strongly supports an integrated National Rural Generalist program which includes industrial measures and investment in infrastructure to ensure that rural generalists are appropriately recognised, remunerated and supported.

Targeted investment to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

"As a key part of the College's mission to achieve better health for rural and remote communities, we especially seek to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, said A/Prof Stewart

"Earlier this year, the Close the Gap Campaign Steering Committee released their ten-year review, which showed that in spite of the measures which have been put in place, health inequality has in fact worsened since the Close the Gap Strategy was produced.

"The recommendations of the review serve as a timely reminder that there is still much to be done to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and we hope to see a further commitment from the Federal government to make these improvements."

A/Prof Ruth Stewart says that these measures should include targeted support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors to train as rural generalists.

"When the College launched its Reconciliation Action Plan in October last year, we committed to increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander registrars and Fellows, and this isn't a commitment we took lightly.

"Access to supported training in the first step in achieving this goal."

Support for the transition to College management of the Australian General Practice Training Program

"ACRRM welcomed the October 2017 announcement that Colleges would be taking ownership of AGPT training from January 2022.

"Since then, we've been working with the Federal Government and other key stakeholders to determine how the transition from government-led to College-led training will be implemented.

Realistic funding allocations will be required to support this transition and the ongoing program administration; to achieve a seamless and uninterrupted transition for our current and future registrars and supervisors; and to increase access to health care services for rural and remote communities.

Support for doctors working in rural and remote communities

A/Prof Stewart said that it was important to maintain, and preferably increase, funding for current programs that support rural and remote doctors and practices.

"Current programs (including the Practice Incentives Program and its associated rural loading; the Rural Procedural Grants Program; and indemnity support under the Medical Indemnity Insurance fund) contribute significantly to the recruitment and retention of doctors and the sustainability of rural and remote practices," she said.

"The College would also welcome new programs which were specifically aimed to increase access to high quality continuity of care for rural and remote people.

"For example, we are aware that there are a large number of doctors working in rural and remote areas who have yet to achieve a recognised vocational qualification.

"ACRRM acknowledges that these doctors have provided an important service and would welcome an opportunity to support them to achieve Fellowship of the College.

"We would also like to see investment to support rural and remote mental health care services, including additional training opportunities for rural doctors who are at the front line in providing mental health care in these communities. These doctors, together with other rural and remote health care professionals, also need support in terms of their own physical and mental safety and wellbeing.

"ACRRM looks forward to working with the Commonwealth government to improve rural and remote health outcomes and provide these communities with equitable access to high quality health care services delivered by rural generalist doctors and their health care teams.