The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) urges all political parties and candidates to release their policy platforms explaining how they will build strong, resilient, and sustainable rural and remote health services.
ACRRM President Dr Sarah Chalmers says long-standing deficiencies with respect to the rural medical workforce have been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The shortage of doctors with appropriate skills in rural areas has reached crisis levels for many rural, remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities.” Dr Chalmers says.
“We are concerned that these deficiencies, together with the challenges of maintaining viable practices, will have a long-term impact on the rural and remote workforce, and consequently on health outcomes for people living in these areas.”
To attract more doctors outside the urban footprint, ACRRM’s election platform calls for urgent action to address workforce maldistribution, support local Rural Generalist-led care, and improve the viability and sustainability of rural practice.
“This includes increasing Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) funding for rural and remote primary care and overcoming barriers to workforce recruitment and retention,” Dr Chalmers says.
“The College notes the report from the recent Senate Inquiry into the provision of General Practice and Related Primary Health Services to Outer Metropolitan, Rural and Regional Australians, and says all actions need to be backed by sufficient funding to be effective. They also need to be implemented in a manner which ensures high level commitments translate to ground level resourcing in rural towns and remote centres.
“These broader strategies should be supported by specific measures which include recognition of the important role of telehealth in supporting face-to-face primary care,” Dr Chalmers says.
“The College welcomes the introduction of permanent MBS rebates for primary care telehealth consultations: however, there is potential to increase community access further.
“Alongside this,” Dr Chalmers adds, “is a need to put a spotlight on the disparities of the health status of Indigenous Australians and those of remote Australians.
“Targeted funding which attracts, trains, and retains Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in rural and remote general practice will go a long way to bridging the gap in healthcare access.
“This has been on the agenda of governments for some time,” Dr Chalmers says.
“As a College, we are well placed to make a significant contribution to securing strong and sustainable rural and remote healthcare services. We will continue to advocate for our members and for the rural and remote, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people they serve.”
ENDS
To view ACRRM’s election priorities, please click here.
ACRRM President Dr Sarah Chalmers says long-standing deficiencies with respect to the rural medical workforce have been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The shortage of doctors with appropriate skills in rural areas has reached crisis levels for many rural, remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities.” Dr Chalmers says.
“We are concerned that these deficiencies, together with the challenges of maintaining viable practices, will have a long-term impact on the rural and remote workforce, and consequently on health outcomes for people living in these areas.”
To attract more doctors outside the urban footprint, ACRRM’s election platform calls for urgent action to address workforce maldistribution, support local Rural Generalist-led care, and improve the viability and sustainability of rural practice.
“This includes increasing Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) funding for rural and remote primary care and overcoming barriers to workforce recruitment and retention,” Dr Chalmers says.
“The College notes the report from the recent Senate Inquiry into the provision of General Practice and Related Primary Health Services to Outer Metropolitan, Rural and Regional Australians, and says all actions need to be backed by sufficient funding to be effective. They also need to be implemented in a manner which ensures high level commitments translate to ground level resourcing in rural towns and remote centres.
“These broader strategies should be supported by specific measures which include recognition of the important role of telehealth in supporting face-to-face primary care,” Dr Chalmers says.
“The College welcomes the introduction of permanent MBS rebates for primary care telehealth consultations: however, there is potential to increase community access further.
“Alongside this,” Dr Chalmers adds, “is a need to put a spotlight on the disparities of the health status of Indigenous Australians and those of remote Australians.
“Targeted funding which attracts, trains, and retains Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in rural and remote general practice will go a long way to bridging the gap in healthcare access.
“This has been on the agenda of governments for some time,” Dr Chalmers says.
“As a College, we are well placed to make a significant contribution to securing strong and sustainable rural and remote healthcare services. We will continue to advocate for our members and for the rural and remote, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people they serve.”
ENDS
To view ACRRM’s election priorities, please click here.