The College leaders work with the policy and advocacy team to represent members’ perspectives and those of their communities in key national policy reforms, consultations and forums.

Key policy development over June and July have included: 

  • ACRRM represented on Peak National Workforce Advisory Committee
    ACRRM is pleased to advise that it will have a representative position on the newly established Department of Health and Aged Care's Medical Workforce Advisory Collaboration (MWAC). The appointment on the collaboration will give our members a strong voice in the future direction of workforce reform. MWAC, is a national planning and advisory body that will support implementation of the National Medical Workforce Strategy provide a platform to address the workforce shortages facing people in remote and rural areas and First Nations communities.
  • National Maternity Services Framework – The National Rural Health Commissioner has been leading work to review and update the National Consensus Framework for Rural Maternity Services, which was published in 2008.  The College has been represented on the Advisory Committee, along with a range of other stakeholders. The Framework is in the final stages of completion.  It consists of a set of principles and supporting strategies to frame policy and planning conversations, with a balance between evidence-based models and ethical and safe care principles, with the focus on women’s choice
  • Specialist International Medical Graduates Expedited Pathway – The College is meeting regularly with the team tasked with implementing an expedited pathway as an additional route to Ahpra registration for doctors with specialist qualifications deemed equivalent to those in Australia. ACRRM continues to assert its concerns: 
    - that international doctors that take up roles in remote and rural communities are appropriately assessed for safe practice and receive support from their professional peers through their relevant college 
    - that the fast-track pathway strengthens the remote and rural workforce and does not inadvertently exacerbate urban oversupply.   
  • After hours incentives program – The College continues to participate in consultations around the Department of Health and Aged Care’s sponsored review of after-hours primary care programs and policy.  This review follows a recommendation from the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce report.  The review report is due to be provided to government in early July.  Further consultations will then take place with the MBS and other stakeholders as required.  
  • Diabetes in Australia 2024 Report - The Report on the State of Diabetes Mellitus in Australia 2024, by the Standing Committee of the Australian House of Representatives has just been published. The report includes recommendations to consider MBS supported longer consultations for diabetes management, national screening programs, and an intergovernmental initiative to tackle obesogenic environments through social infrastructure and initiatives. The report reflects and references College advocacy for people in remote rural and First Nations communities, including lack of access to services, access and affordability of healthy food, lack of social infrastructure for healthy lifestyles, and the need for better screening, support and follow up for gestational diabetes during and post pregnancy.  The College provided a submission last September and President Dan Halliday provided testimony to the Standing Committee public hearing in November last year.   
  • Senate Inquiry into Menopause and Perimenopause Support – New ACRRM Board Director, Dr Alice Fitzgerald will appear by teleconference at a Senate Committee hearing on 29 July.  The College previously made a submission which outlined the important role of Rural Generalists in the management of menopause and perimenopause within the rural, remote and First Nations contexts; the need for appropriate funding models to facilitate effective continuity of care; and how these items are covered within the College curriculum. More information about the Inquiry is available here.  
  • College Council meeting – College Council met on 9 July and considered several draft policy position statements and reviewed reports from State and Territory representatives and College Committee and stakeholder representatives. Council is ACRRM’s peak representative body which guides the college’s positioning in policy and advocacy matters.

College Submissions over June and July have included: