Media Statement - 2nd December 2008
The Australian Government will boost the rural health workforce with
$2.7 million in grants to help support, train and educate health
professionals. The funding will assist 22 health organisations in rural and remote communities around Australia.
These grants will not only assist in supporting, training and educating
the rural and remote health workforce, but also assist to remove the
barriers to recruitment and retention.
The successful organisations will collectively address the health needs
of rural and remote communities with projects that emphasise community
development, participation and the strengthening of local networks.
These grants have been awarded under the Rural Health Support Education
and Training Program and the National Rural Primary Health Projects.
The grants will complement other Australian Government initiatives in
the areas of rural and remote health and continue our commitment to the
health workforce.
The Australian Government is committed to ensuring families in rural,
regional and remote Australia get the health services they need and
deserve.
That is why we are already delivering:
- $148 million for 175 extra GP training places.
- 1094 additional university nursing places from 2009.
- $12 million to support the expansion of the Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program to improve rural and remote community access to a range of medical specialist services.
- $7.9 million to support and expand the Specialist Obstetrician Locum Scheme.
- $4.6 million to double the number of John Flynn scholarships for undergraduate medical students to undertake placements in rural and remote medical practices.
- $2.5 million for clinical placement scholarships for allied health students.
- $35 million for the Expansion of Additional Education Places, Scholarships and Clinical Training for mental health nurses and psychologists with a specific focus on regional, rural and remote Australia.
The successful organisations are:
- La Trobe University, Bendigo Campus in collaboration with Bendigo Community Health
- Royal District Nursing Service of South Australia Inc
- The Australian Institute of Radiography
- Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
- Services for Rural and Remote Allied Health Inc
- Australian Physiotherapy Association
- Australian Association of Occupational Therapists Queensland
- Hunter Rural Division of General Practice
- Australian Rural Nurses and Midwives
- Australian National University
- Epilepsy Queensland Inc
- St Luke’s Anglicare
- Aged Care Queensland
- New England Division of General Practice
- CommunityWest Inc
- Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corp
- Injury Control Council of West Australia
- University of Sydney – Broken Hill University Departments of Rural Health
- North West Slopes (NSW) Division of General Practice New South Wales
- Continence Foundation of Australia
- Association for Prevention and Harm Reduction Programs Australia
- Ballina District Community Services Inc.