The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) congratulates Mark Butler on his appointment as Minister for Health and Aged Care, and Linda Burney, who has been appointed Minister for Indigenous Australians, in the newly elected federal government.
The College also extends congratulations to Ged Kearney who is the new Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Malarndirri McCarthy as Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians and Indigenous Health, and Emma McBride as Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health and Mental Health.
ACRRM President Dr Sarah Chalmers says the College welcomed the Labor Party’s commitment to a $970 million general practice reform package and $146 million in funding to expand training programs and provide further workforce incentives for the rural health workforce.
“These are positive commitments, and now it’s time to put those commitments into action,” Dr Chalmers says.
“The government’s reform package is designed to provide better care through improved admission and access to general practice, greater patient affordability, decreased pressure on hospitals, and better management of complex and chronic conditions.
“While we welcome these initiatives, we are hopeful the Labor Party will offer specific solutions to address the healthcare needs of rural and remote communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“We look forward to raising these issues with the Minister, through both independent advocacy and as a member of the Medicare Taskforce the government has committed to establishing.
“The College will also seek to have our election statement priorities addressed, and work with the government to design solutions that support our vision of having the right doctors in the right places with the right skills, providing rural and remote people with excellent healthcare.
“As a College, ACRRM is committed to working with government, community, and industry stakeholders to secure strong and sustainable rural and remote healthcare services,” Dr Chalmers says.
“We will steadfastly advocate for our members and for the rural and remote, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples they serve.”
ENDS
The College also extends congratulations to Ged Kearney who is the new Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Malarndirri McCarthy as Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians and Indigenous Health, and Emma McBride as Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health and Mental Health.
ACRRM President Dr Sarah Chalmers says the College welcomed the Labor Party’s commitment to a $970 million general practice reform package and $146 million in funding to expand training programs and provide further workforce incentives for the rural health workforce.
“These are positive commitments, and now it’s time to put those commitments into action,” Dr Chalmers says.
“The government’s reform package is designed to provide better care through improved admission and access to general practice, greater patient affordability, decreased pressure on hospitals, and better management of complex and chronic conditions.
“While we welcome these initiatives, we are hopeful the Labor Party will offer specific solutions to address the healthcare needs of rural and remote communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“We look forward to raising these issues with the Minister, through both independent advocacy and as a member of the Medicare Taskforce the government has committed to establishing.
“The College will also seek to have our election statement priorities addressed, and work with the government to design solutions that support our vision of having the right doctors in the right places with the right skills, providing rural and remote people with excellent healthcare.
“As a College, ACRRM is committed to working with government, community, and industry stakeholders to secure strong and sustainable rural and remote healthcare services,” Dr Chalmers says.
“We will steadfastly advocate for our members and for the rural and remote, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples they serve.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact communications manager Petrina Smith at p.smith@acrrm.org.au, 0414 820 847 or 1800 223 226.
ABOUT ACRRM
The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine is the only College in Australia entirely dedicated to training and supporting Rural Generalists and rural General Practitioners to serve rural and remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Our vision is to have the right doctors, in the right places, with the right skills, providing rural and remote people with excellent health care.
For more information, visit acrrm.org.au