The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and The Australasian College of Paramedic Practitioners (ACPP) have joined forces and formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the aim to work together to support the provision of primary healthcare in rural and remote communities.

Signed by ACRRM President Dr Sarah Chalmers and ACPP President Greg Reaburn, the MOU recognises the organisations’ agreement to collaborate on a range of issues including the integration of paramedics within the primary healthcare system, skills and educational support, and increased access to a skilled medical workforce within rural and remote communities.

ACRRM President Dr Sarah Chalmers says the ACPP represents paramedics who have developed advanced primary healthcare skills, so strengthening the relationship and sharing resources is vital for patients, especially those in rural and remote communities.

“ACRRM recognises the importance of health teams working together in rural and remote regions, to ensure we can provide holistic and integrated models of care. We look forward to a long and successful relationship with this College, which has achieved a lot in just two years since its inception.”  Dr Chalmers said.

ACPP President Greg Reaburn explains that contrary to firmly held beliefs, paramedics are increasingly encountering aging and complex patients and believes specialist paramedics, with emergency and primary healthcare skills, should practice in all areas of the healthcare system. 

“Many paramedics are developing advanced primary health care skills both on the job and through post graduate studies and should be enabled to practice both within and outside ambulance services.”  Mr Reaburn says. 

“These paramedics are ideally suited to support rural doctors, and we are therefore delighted to align with ACRRM - which is recognised as the expert College for rural generalism. We look forward to both supportive and collaborative practice arrangements.”

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For interviews please contact ACRRM marketing and communications manager Petrina Smith on 0414 820 847 or p.smith@acrrm.org.au