Canberra, Australia – A landmark report released today, Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce: Scope of Practice Review, is set to revolutionize healthcare delivery in rural and remote Australia. The report, led by Professor Mark Cormack, outlines a series of recommendations aimed at addressing the critical shortage of healthcare professionals in these regions.
Susi Tegen, Chief Executive of the National Rural Health Alliance, expressed enthusiasm for the report's focus on rural and remote barriers. "This review will shape health policy for years to come," she said. "We're particularly pleased to see the emphasis on rural and remote challenges and the proposed solutions."
Key recommendations include:
- Prioritizing rural and remote areas: The report urges the government to prioritize the implementation of reforms in these areas, engaging with relevant organizations and stakeholders to develop tailored solutions.
- Supporting rural healthcare education: The report highlights the need for specific support mechanisms to enable students to complete their education and training in rural and remote locations.
- Promoting innovative care models: The report encourages the development and implementation of innovative multidisciplinary models of care, such as rural generalist practices and nurse-led clinics.
- Addressing healthcare inequities: The report recognizes the significant health disparities between rural and urban Australians. It calls for increased healthcare funding for rural communities, which currently receive $848 less per person annually than urban areas.
- Implementing a blended payment model: The report advocates for a staged implementation of a blended payment model, starting with rural and remote regions and underserviced regional areas. This aligns with the Alliance's PRIM-HS model, which focuses on primary care, rural, integrated, multidisciplinary health services.
- Targeting rural and remote areas in other reforms: The report recommends that reforms such as bundled payment for maternity care, direct referral pathways, and primary care system integration should prioritize rural and remote regions.
The National Rural Health Alliance, a coalition of 53 organizations committed to improving rural health, played a significant role in the consultation process. The Alliance looks forward to working with the government to implement these recommendations and improve the health and wellbeing of rural Australians.
