The new year has brought a full policy agenda at regional and national levels. The policy and advocacy update provides members with an overview of the current activities undertaken by the College in the interests of its members and the communities they serve.
Practitioner health and wellbeing is an integral component of a safe and respectful workplace. As well as encouraging members to take regular steps to maintain their own wellbeing and general health, the College would encourage members to be mindful of the needs of colleagues, and check in on those who may be under stress.
On behalf of ACRRM, I welcome you to 2024, hoping you had a joyful festive season and we look forward to continuing to support you and your region this year. The College particularly acknowledges the hardship that many members, and the communities they serve, have gone through, and continue to go through, due to extreme weather events in the form of flooding, bushfires, storms and heatwaves during the holiday period.
ACRRM’s 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 First Nations communities. The CRG has been active this month, in supporting the RG Recognition consultation and looking at opportunities to support medical students training in rural communities.
Medical acupuncture - using needles and laser - has extensive scientific evidence for the treatment of common pain related presentations to general practice - including migraine/ neck related headache, musculoskeletal pain, women’s health/dysmenorrhoea, depression and insomnia. (Lancet, JAMA, Pain)
Respectful workplaces are built through the values we hold and the way we behave towards each other every day. The health and wellbeing of members is important to us, and the College is strongly committed to delivering wellbeing support to all members using a holistic approach.
The Medical Board’s Medical Training Survey (MTS) 2023 results published this week strongly reinforce the value of ACRRM registrars to building Australia’s remote, rural and First Nations workforce. They provide important information that, together with ACRRM’s own surveys and program feedback, inform our ongoing work toward training excellence for registrars.
The Mid Term Review of the National Health Reform Agreement (NRHA) released this week is welcomed by ACRRM for its emphasis on strengthening funding for remote and rural health services including promoting primary care, Rural Generalist training, and Single Employer Models for remote and rural communities.
After considerable advocacy by the College, the Rural Procedural Grants Program (RPGP) and the General Practitioner Procedural Training Support Program (GPPTSP) have been extended by the Federal Government until 31 December 2024.
This year’s survey was the first we have undertaken since transition to ACRRM-led training. We were thrilled with the response rate and the level of detail provided, and we thank all those for their participation.
he risks posed by climate change to health threaten to exacerbate many of the health inequities experienced by those living and working in regional and rural areas.1 With many of these communities reliant on primary agriculture production and vulnerable to drought, bushfires, cyclones, floods and heatwaves, these areas stand to be disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change, particularly as water security is inherently threatened by changes in climate.
JOINT RELEASE:
With less than one week to go until the public consultation closes on recognition of Rural Generalist Medicine (RGM) as a specialist field, Australia’s two GP colleges urge doctors and community members to have their say.
The Commonwealth Government has initiated a new Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participant experience in rural, regional, and remote Australia and are inviting submissions from the public to be provided by 23 February 2024.
The College has engaged in important advocacy on a range of issues over the past two months. This has included presenting evidence to national and state senate inquiries, hosting two RG specialist recognition webinars, and submitting to a number of seminal national consultations.
The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) mourns the loss of Prof Dennis Pashen, a founding member, distinguished former President and outstanding advocate for rural and remote healthcare training and delivery.
The Respectful Workplaces Committee facilitates the sharing of ideas and information throughout the College; supports the implementation of the Respectful Workplaces Framework; and advocates for appropriate working environments for our members. The Committee met last week to discuss actions arising from the recent workshop at RMA23. It is clear that ACRRM members would like to see the College setting standards for what a Respectful Workplace looks like.
The Department of Health and Aged Care has engaged KPMG to undertake a Review of General Practice Incentives across Australia. ACRRM will provide a submission to the Review and welcomes member feedback to guide our response.