ACRRM acknowledges its reciprocal responsibilities in terms of making a positive contribution to rural and remote communities as well as receiving community advice and input. Our Community Reference Group (CRG) supports the College to deliver programs and activities that promote the best possible healthcare outcomes for rural and remote people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 

The Group has recently launched a new webpage to encourage community members to connect with the work of the College.  Community Reference Group members are diverse in location, age, background and interests. Their unique community perspectives are invaluable in keeping the College informed of community priorities and needs. The Group provides a conduit for strengthening community partnerships  and  a vehicle for community input and advocacy in College operations.

Meetings are held quarterly by videoconference, with ongoing informal email discussion where members raise issues of interest as well as responding to requests for feedback from the College, and the group reports directly to the College Council.

The CRG:

• Provides advice to the College Board, Council, and relevant Committees to ensure activities and programs continue to reflect community priorities and needs.
• Informs the  College about important concerns for communities that could be supported through College activities
• Facilitates the College’s engagement and consultation with a broad pool of rural and remote consumers, though consumer representation opportunities such as workshops and focus groups
• Raises community awareness of the College, its activities, and rural generalist medicine more broadly CRG in Action

Chair of the CRG Annabelle Brayley, and Jenny Johnson, Senior Policy and Development Officer attended the  Isolated Childrens Parents Association (ICPA)  conference in Darwin recently to raise awareness about the College, explore opportunities for future partnerships and advocacy, and recruit additional members to the CRG. 

Annabelle’s presentation created lots of interest. It was great to hear of ICPA offspring who were studying medicine and were either already part of, or interested in, the ACRRM training program. 

There were also stories of the challenges that many of these families have in accessing health care services. It was unsurprising, but still noteworthy, that our advocacy messages are very similar and based around the need for specific policies and tailored solutions for rural and remote communities and the common barriers to recruiting and retaining professionals in these areas.

This is an issue in which the CRG is particularly interested and an opportunity for a broad range of partnerships. The CRG webpage is now live here. 

The Group would warmly welcome new members so please encourage any of your community contacts to join using the Expression of Interest form on our website.