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1
ALUMNI ACTI
ON
June 2012
I n t h i s I s s u e :•NRHSNAlumniSteeringCommittee•CaringforthecarersinSA•Alumni-Wherearetheynow?•NRHAChairProfessorLesleyBarclay
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Alumni
Cover photo: Christopher Bryg, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
HellofromtheNRHSNAlumnisteeringcommittee.Ihopethismagazinefindsyouwell,andenjoyingwhatlifehastoofferoutsideofurbanboundaries.WeconsistofthreeformerNRHSNmemberswhoarepassionateaboutpromotingandencouragingruralhealthcareers,assistedbythehelpofRHWstaff.TheNRHSNarenowahugely
positiveforceingarneringinteresttowardsruralandremotehealth,andareconstantlyincreasingtheirnetofinfluenceatUniversitiesaroundthecountry.However,ithasalwaysbeenfeltbyfinalyearstudentsthatthereis
TheNRHSNisultimatelyastudent’snetwork,howeveritisacknowledgedthatourmembersdonotremainstudentsforever(eventhoughsometimesitfeelslikewedo!).Ourmemberseventuallygraduateandmoveintotheworkplace. WehopethatourpastmembersarestillpassionateaboutruralhealthandpursuingcareersinruralAustralia.Considertheprofessionalpathofa
member.Weseethattheymovealongacontinuumfromschooltouniversitystudyandintotheworkplace.TheNRHSNandNRHSNAlumnihaveavitalroletoplayinhelpingtosupportmembersacrosstheirruralhealthjourney.
2012Executive:(fromlefttoright)Simon Reid, James Roth andBenjamin Crough
Dan MahoneyisaphysiotherapistatKatanninginWAandisaboardmemberofSARRAH(ServicesforAustralianRural
andRemoteAlliedHealth).
Jasmine Banner isaResidentMedicalOfficeratRoyalDarwinHospital,on
placementinKatherine(PrevocationalGeneralPracticePlacementsProgram).
Emily DaltonisagraduatenurseatRoyalBrisbaneWomen’sHospitalintheDepartmentofEmergencyMedicine,
withruralhealthinhersights.
AlumniSteeringCommittee
2
somewhatofaleapintothedarkupongraduation.TheAlumninetworkideahasbeenfloatingaroundforawhile,butwasfinallykickedoffinanattempttobridgethisgap.UltimatelyouraimsaretoencouragemoreAustralianhealthdegreegraduatestotakeupjobsinruralareas,largelystillsufferingfromworkforceshortage,andsupportthosewhodo.Thisisbynomeansaneasytask.Atthisstage,withnoextrafunding,ourprojectsarelimited.Someideaswehaveincludeanannualnetworkingeventandawebsitetooltosearchforcareeropportunitiesorcontactsina
TheRuralHighSchoolVisitprogramprovidesagreatopportunitytoengagewithpotentialmemberswhilsttheyarestillatschoolandatacriticalstageinconsideringtheirfuture.ThisasanimportantavenuetoprovideatangiblemeasureoftheimpactoftheNRHSN.In2011,over300RuralHealthClubmembers
certainlocation.Wearetryingtokeepcommunicationlinesopenwithregularemailbulletinstocomplementthismagazine.Asthisnetworkisinitsinfancy,weare
stillgatheringdifferentideastopossiblyimplement.Whatwouldencourageyoutogetoutbush?Whatwouldhelpinkeepingyouthere?Whateveryouaredoing,whereveryouare,we’dlovetohearfromyou.Contactusat [email protected]
Cheers,Jas,DanandEmily
volunteeredfortheRuralHighSchoolVisitsprogramtovisitover150schoolsinregional,ruralandremoteAustralia.WeknowthatthesehaveapositiveimpactininspiringruralstudentstoenrolinhealthprogramsatUniversity.Youmayhaveevenbeenoneofthesestudents.Towardstheotherendofthe
continuumarethosemembersoftheNRHSNwhohavegraduated.Thisrepresentsamassivechangefortheindividual.OurAlumniprogramrepresentsawaytoremainengagedandcontributebacktotheNRHSN.ManyofourmembersacknowledgetheimportantroletheNRHSNplayedintheircareerandparticipatingintheAlumniprogramcanallowyoutohelpstudentswhomayonedaybecomeyourcolleaguesinruralAustralia.
A l u m n i A c t i o n J u n e 2 0 1 2
NRHSNexecutive
Address: 1500 Midland Hwy, Creswick, Victoria
rural health workforce
CONNECT ENGAGE INSPIRE at NURHC 2012
Stay tuned for more information at www.nrhsn.org.au/nurhc and www.facebook.com/nrhsn
The National University Rural Health Conference (NURHC) 10-11 August 2012 Creswick, Victoria
• Welcome evening on Thurs 9th Aug• Venue – Novotel Forest Hill Resort at picturesque Creswick• Inspiring speaker program• Special rate available for NRHSN Alumni members
Enquiries: [email protected]
2012
The National University Rural Health Conference (NURHC) is a conference for NRHSN members, supported by financial assistance from the Australian Government and hosted by Rural Health Workforce Australia.
Now,morethanever,Australianeedsyourskills,passionanddesiretomakeadifference.ThereleaseoftherecentHealth
Workforce2025reporthighlightsthemagnitudeoftheshortfallindoctorsandnursesfacingAustraliaunlesspolicymakerstakeaction.Ifwedonothing,therewillbean
estimatedshortageof109,000nursesand2,700doctorsby2025,exacerbatedbythegrowinghealthneedsofanageingpopulation.That’sunlikelytotranslatewellforthecountry.Asweallknow,theneedisgreatest
thefurtheronetravelsfromAustralia’scapitalcities.CountrypeopletendtohavepoorerhealthoutcomesthantheircitycounterpartsandthisisnothelpedbythefactthattherearepersistentshortagesofhealthprofessionalsinpartsofruralandremoteAustralia.Whatthismeanstoyouasahealth
professionalintheearlystagesofyourcareeristhatyouareindemand–andwillbewellintothefuture.Forourpart,weareheretosupportyou
–whetheryouarealreadypractisinginatownorregionalcentre,orifyouhavejuststartedonthepathtoaruralcareer.I’drecommendgettingtoknowour
memberRuralWorkforceAgenciesineachstateandtheNorthernTerritory.Thesearenot-for-profitorganisationsthatrecruitandsupporthealthprofessionalstolive,workandstayinthebush.
Theyrunfamilyweekends,organiseprofessionaldevelopmentseminarsandhavefantasticlinkswithlocalcommunities,trainingprovidersandotherhealthorganisations.Thismeanstheycanhookyouupwith
dreamjobsinsomeprettyamazingplaces.Thisyear,RuralWorkforceAgencies
aremovingintonursingandalliedhealthrecruitment,inadditiontotheirtraditionalroleoflookingafterdoctors.Youcanfindtheirdetailsatwww.rhwa.org.au Atapolicylevel,youcanbeassured
thatRuralHealthWorkforcewillcontinuetoadvocateformoreopportunitiesforpostgraduatetraininginavarietyofruralandregionalsettingssupportedbysufficientlevelsofsupervisionandmentoring.Wewanttomakesurethatyougetall
thehelpyouneedasyouprogressalongtheruralpathway.I’dbehappytohearyourthoughtsonhowwecanmakethatjourneyeasierforyou([email protected]).
RHWCEOGregSam
Heretohelp
Rural Health WorkforceRural Workforce Agencies www.rhwa.org.auNSW Rural Doctors Network 0249248000 www.nswrdn.com.au
Rural Workforce Agency Victoria 0393497800 www.rwav.com.au
Health Workforce Queensland 0731057800 www.healthworkforce.com.au
Rural Doctors Workforce Agency (SA) 0882348277 www.ruraldoc.com.au
Rural Health West (WA) 0863894500 www.ruralhealthwest.com.au
NT Health Workforce 0889821000 www.gpnnt.org.au
Health Recruitment Plus – Tasmania 0363342355 www.healthrecruitmentplus.com.au
Greg Sam CEORuralHealthWorkforce
Address: 1500 Midland Hwy, Creswick, Victoria
rural health workforce
CONNECT ENGAGE INSPIRE at NURHC 2012
Stay tuned for more information at www.nrhsn.org.au/nurhc and www.facebook.com/nrhsn
The National University Rural Health Conference (NURHC) 10-11 August 2012 Creswick, Victoria
• Welcome evening on Thurs 9th Aug• Venue – Novotel Forest Hill Resort at picturesque Creswick• Inspiring speaker program• Special rate available for NRHSN Alumni members
Enquiries: [email protected]
2012
The National University Rural Health Conference (NURHC) is a conference for NRHSN members, supported by financial assistance from the Australian Government and hosted by Rural Health Workforce Australia.
Inside Alumni ActionAlumni—where are they now? 4–5Caring for the carers in SA 6Profile: NRHA Chair Prof Lesley Barclay 7Reach Out: Community & Advocacy 7Alumni Action is published by Rural Health Workforce Australia. E: [email protected] Ph: 03 9860 4700Suite 2, Lvl 5, 10 Queens Rd, Melb VIC 3004
Where are you from? Brisbane,Queensland
Where did you study? Which Rural Health Club were you a member of?QueenslandUniversityofTechnology(forbothNursing/PublicHealthandParamedicdegrees).TROHPIQ.
Where are you now? IliveinClermont,butworkinEmerald(Queensland).
What do you do there? IworkfulltimeasanAdvancedCareParamedicinEmeraldforQueenslandAmbulanceService,anddotheoddnursingshiftatClermontHospital.
What is the best thing about your town/job?IabsolutelyadorebeingaParamedic.Ilovethecamaraderiewithmycolleagues,IlovetheclinicalautonomyIhave(comparedwithNursing),Ilovethechallengesofworkinginthepre-hospitalsetting,andIlovedrivingtheambulancewithlightsandsirensgoing.
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing - what would you be doing? Iwouldbeapoormusicianplayinginanorchestra.
Best rural experience? MeetingmyhusbandinMountIsa(Matthew’sanotherParamedic/Nurse).OthergreatruralexperiencesincludecampingattheGregoryRiverCanoeRacesandseeingsunsetsintheOutback.
What’s the one thing you want the world to know about you?Iwanttobeanacademic,researchingParamedicissuesandteachingthenextgenerationofParamedics.
The thing you don’t want the world to know?Iactuallylikenightshifts.
Words of wisdom for others thinking about a rural health career?Ifyou’renotsureifaruralhealthcareerisforyou,considerworkingasalocuminthebush.Workinginruralhealthisnotalifesentence,butyoucanbeassuredthatyourruralexperienceswillstaywithyouforlife.Beforeyougraduate,itisessentialthatyouhaveamentorwhomyoucancontactanddiscusswhatyou’regoingthrough.WhenIwasagraduatenurse,mymentorbecameinvaluable,especiallyinnormalisingmyexperiences.Generally,beinginruralandremoteareasisenormousfun.Makethemostofallopportunities.Gotoallthelocalsocialevents(liketheraces,theshow,footymatches,evenbingo)andgetinvolved.Explorethenaturalbeautyoftheareaandappreciatewhereyouare.
Anything else at all?AbigshoutouttoalltheTROHPIQAlumni–IhaveawesomememoriesoftheKingaroytrips,formaldinnersandNURHCs.Goodlucktothosestillstudying.Icannotwaittomeetyouandworkwithyouinthebush.Ruth would be happy to offer her services as a mentor to a student or early career graduate. Email [email protected].
Ruth Davenport (nee Hosking)
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Where are you from? IwasborninBallarat,Victoria,grewuponMagneticIsland(offTownsvilleCoast,Queensland)untilage8,andreturnedtoBallarat.
Where did you study? Which Rural Health Club were you a member of?IcompletedaBachelorofScienceatDeakinUniversity,Geelong,andPostgraduateMedicineatFlindersUniversity,Adelaide,whereIjoinedFURHS.
Where are you now? IworkinColacandliveinElliminyt,Victoria(previouslylivedinnearbytownBirregurra).
What do you do there? IworkasaruralGP,specialisinginWomen’sHealth,Obstetrics(antenatalcareanddeliveringbabies)andMentalHealth.
What is the best thing about your town/job?Iliveinabeautiful,close-knitcommunitysurroundedbyopencountryside,near
A l u m n i A c t i o n J u n e 2 0 1 2
ColacGP Anne McGuane andherdaughterOliviaenjoyedtakingsometimeoutduringatrippromotingtheVictorianrurallifestyletofuturemedical
practitionersaspartoftheGoRuralCampaign.
Where are you from? IgrewupinVillawood,SouthWestSydney–haveyouheardofitlately?
Where did you study? Which Rural Health Club were you a member of?AfterayearofForensicScienceatUTS,ImovedtoSydneyUnitostudyOccupationalTherapy.MIRAGEwasmyruralhealthclubandoneofmyroleswaspresident.AfteruniversityIstuckaroundasamentorandhelpedwithotherkeenfriendstoformanalumnigroupcalledGraduateAssistanceandPartnershipsProgram(GAPP).
Where are you now?ImovedtoLauncestonforayearin2003.IhadmyfinalplacementinHobartandpinedtoreturntoTasmania.Asaresult,Iamstillhere.
What do you do there?IworkattheIndependentLivingCentreTasmania(ILCTas)inthe
Christopher BrygconquersCradleMountain,Tasmania
LaurenConehaspursuedherruraljourneysincefinishinghermedicaldegreeattheUniversityofNewSouthWalesin2007.TheformerRAHMSmemberis
currentlybasedinTamworthwheresheisdoingextendedskillstraininginpsychiatryatTamworthRuralReferralHospital.It’saplaceshe’squitefamiliarwith,
havinggrownupinnearbyGunnedah–whereshewasduxofthelocalhighschool–andhavingbeenaninternonandoffatthehospitalsincehergraduation.She’salsopickedupplentyof
experiencealongthewayworkingasaGPinInverellandArmidale.DrConeisamemberoftheNSW
RuralDoctorsNetwork’sRuralMedicalSupportForum.HerconnectionwiththeNSWRDNstartedatuniversitywhenshewasacceptedintotheruralworkforceagency’scadetshipprogram.AsaNSWRDNcadet,shereceived$15,000ayearforthefinaltwoyearsofhermedicaldegreeinreturnforworkingfortwoyearsinaruralNSWbasehospitalduringtheearlystagesofhercareer.DrConecontinuestobeamajorfanof
thecadetshipsystem.“Itwasoneofthebiggestinfluencesin
keepingmeontrack,”shesays,referringtoherpathintoruralmedicine.“Therealbonusisthenetworking,
thefriendsyoumakeandthewonderfulruraldoctorsyoumeet.It’sthekindofexperienceyoucan’tbuy.”Shesaysthesupportiveenvironment
ofthecadetshipprogramgoesalongwaytocounteringentrenchedattitudestowardsruralmedicine.
Lauren Cone…lovinglife asaruraldoctor.
theOtwaysandGreatOceanRoad.Itisaprivilegetobecloselyinvolvedinpeople’slives.
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing - what would you be doing? Iwouldbegardeningorplayingathomewithmykids.IhavethreechildrenJoshua(18),Thomas(16)andOlivia(11).
Best rural experience? Ilovetoattendlocalfootymatchesandwatchmysonsplay.IenjoybeinginvolvedintheBirregurraFootballClubasayellingMumandattendingdoctor–ifrequired.
What’s the one thing you want the world to know about you?Ilovemylife–itisverycool.Ihavean
awesomehome(twoacresofgarden,dam,tenniscourtandpool),happy,healthykidsandsupportivepartner.Ilovemyjob.Itisfun,challenging,hardworkandsupremelyrewarding.
The thing you don’t want the world to know? Iburpalot.
Words of wisdom for others thinking about a rural health career? Getintoit.Giveitago.Haveatry.Ifyouareremotelyinterested,exploreruralearlyinyourcareer–asastudentorresident.
Anything else at all?Iamveryfortunatetobewellsupported,appreciatedandwellpaidindoingwhatIlove.Whatmorecouldanyofuswant?
Wherearetheynow?
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TechnologyAccessService.Iprovideassessment,trainingandadviceonimplementationofassistivetechnologyenablingpeoplewithdisabilitiestousecomputers,communicateandoperateelectronicdevicesforqualityoflifeandindependence.JustrecentlyIstooddownaschairoftheTasmanianDivisionofOccupationalTherapyAustralia.Myotherinterestisperforming.I
performwithlocaltheatrecompaniesinplaysandmusicals.LastyearIperformedinmyfirstopera(TheMagicFlute)inHobartwithUniversityofTasmania.
What is the best thing about your town/job?Iloveworkingwithchildrenwithdisabilitiestohelpdevelopskillstheyneedforplay,communicationandaccesstolearningusingtechnology.WhatIloveaboutLauncestonisthatitprovidesmewithallthethingsIneedformyinterestswhilealsobeingonthedoorstepofbeautifulcountryside,fantasticfoodandbushwalkinginthewilderness.Best rural experience?Icannotbeatmythirdyearclinicalpracticeexperiencewhenwespentacoupleofhoursinabuilder’sutetogoonahomevisit.Aswearrived,freshsconespoppedoutoftheoven.
Words of wisdom for others thinking about a rural health career? Gosomewherewhichappealstoyourinterest.Getyourselfoutthereandconnectwithpeople.Itisokaytospendtimeworkinginacity(Idid).Mostimportantly,don’tdismissschnitzelnightatthelocalfootyclub.
Lookingafteroneselfisjustasimportantforhealthprofessionalsasitisforpatients.SeehowanewprograminSouthAustraliaisaddressingthisissueformedicalstudentsandDoctors…Anewclinicfordoctorsandmedical
studentshasopenedinAdelaidewiththebackingofRDWA,SouthAustralia’sRuralWorkforceAgency.Theclinic,whichaimstotacklepoor
healthandburnoutintheprofession,complementsRDWA’s“DrDOC”wellbeingprogramforruraldoctors.“Havinghealthydoctorsleadsto
healthycommunities,”saysDrKarenSumner,theMedicalDirectoratRDWA.“Healthcareisacorepartofourretentionstrategyforruraldoctorsandwe’redelightedthatthiskindofserviceisnowbeingofferedtoallDoctorsinourstate.”ThenewDoctorsHealthSAclinic
operatesafterhoursandonweekends,makingitconvenientfordoctorstoattend.Theclinicispartofabroaderprogramofservicesthatsitunderthe
bannerofDoctorsHealthSA,including24-hourconfidentialphoneadviceandaninformationwebsite.Akeyaimoftheprogramistohelp
doctorsandmedicalstudentsfindadoctorofchoice,withresearchshowingthatonlyabout60%ofdoctorshavetheirownGP.Forfurtherdetailsgoto
www.doctorshealthsa.com.au
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A l u m n i A c t i o n J u n e 2 0 1 2
Caring for the carers in South Australia
RDWA’sDr Karen Sumner ispicturedatthenewclinicwith Dr Roger Sexton,MedicalDirectorofDoctorsHealthSA.
Dr DOC – just what the doctor orderedRDWA has long recognised the importance of healthcare as part of an integrated approach to retention of doctors in rural communities - alongside locum relief, family support and professional education.That’swhyitestablishedtheDrDOC
(DutyofCare)programmorethan10yearsago.DrDOCsupportsruraldoctorstotakecareofthemselves,theirfamilyandtheircolleagues.
Email [email protected].
AlumniNewsAdvocacy TheNRHSNhascontributedtotheHealthWorkforceAustraliaconsultationprocessforthe Rural and Remote Health Workforce Innovation and Reform Strategy.TheNRHSNcontributionincludesprovidingawrittensubmission,hostingajointconsultationsessioninMelbournewithRuralHealthWorkforceandparticipatingintheExpertReferenceGroup(ExecutiveCo-chairJamesRoth)fortheRural and Remote Health Workforce Innovation and Reform Strategy.ThestrategywillbepublishedontheHWAwebsite. www.hwa.gov.au
Rural Health TV channel launched The RuralHealthEducationFoundationhaslaunchedadedicatedfree-to-airhealthTVchannel(RHC600),theRuralHealthChannel.Formoreinformationvisitwww.rhef.com.au/rhc/
Continuing Education ApplicationsforgrantsinRoundfouroftheRuralHealthContinuingEducation(Stream2)(RHCE2)aredueby8August2012.TheeligiblehealthprofessionsareAboriginalHealthWorkers,alliedhealthprofessionals,nurses,midwivesanddoctors.Formoreinformationvisit rhce.ruralhealth.org.au/
Hip hop and health FormerUniversityofWollongongruralhealthclubmemberMichaelO’Halloranisoneofthepeoplebehindaseriesofclipstacklingsmokingandtrachoma,starringthepeopleofLajamanuandKalkaringi. http://www.kwhb.com.au/72-hip-hop-crew-and-kwhb.html
NRHSN visits School of the Air SixNRHSNmembersconductedavirtualschoolvisitwhentheyparticipatedintheSchooloftheAirassemblyinAliceSpringsduringApril.Theybroadcasttoa‘classroom’of60remotekidsscatteredacrossanareaof1.3millionsquarekilometres.ThevisitwasorganisedbyNTHealthWorkforcewhichhasbeenhostinghighschoolvisitsintheNorthernTerritoryforthepast10years,andtheNationalRuralHealthStudentsNetwork.
7
TheNRHSNCouncilincludesfiveportfoliosthatworkcloselywiththeNRHSNExecutivetoensureourcollectivevoiceisheardloudandclearbykeystakeholders.TheCommunityandAdvocacyPortfolio
isadynamicteamthatrepresentsourstudentandAlumnimembersandprovidessupporttotheotherportfolios.Themainstakeholdersweworkwithon
behalfoftheNRHSNaretheNationalRuralHealthAlliance(NRHA)andtheAustralianRuralHealthEducationNetwork(ARHEN).Bothorganisationsarelikelytohavehadsomeroleinhelpingyoualongyourruralhealthcareer.TheNRHSNandRHWaremembersof
theNRHA.TeenaDowntonistheNRHSNrepresentative.ARHENisanorganisationthatbringstogetherthe11UniversityDepartmentsofRuralHealth(UDRH)locatedineverystateandtheNorthernTerritory.ARHENishelpingleadthechargeinprovidingequitableruralplacementopportunitiesforallhealthdisciplines,includingincreasedplacementsfordental.It’sanexcitingtimeinhealthworkforce
reform.Wewanttoensurereformstakeintoaccounttheneedsandexpectationsofourgeneration.How can you get in on the action?CheckouttheNRHSNwebsiteforour
activitiesandlatestpositionpapers.Registerforthe12thNationalRuralHealthConferenceinAdelaidenextMarch.OurrepresentativesontheAdvisoryCommitteeareMitchellMilanovic(NRHSN)andAmyStephenson(NRHSNAlumni).
Email [email protected]
Date Discipline Conference10-11 Aug 2012 All NationalUniversitiesRuralHealthConference,Creswick,VIC17-19 Sep 2012 All SowingtheSeedsofFarmerHealth,Hamilton,VIC19-22 Sep 2012 Nursing CATSINConference,Cairns,QLD20-23 Sep 2012 AlliedHealth SARRAHRuralandRemotePracticeTotallyWild,Launceston,TAS3-7 Oct 2012 Medicine AIDA6thPacificRegionIndigenousDoctorsCongress,Fremantle,WA24-27 Oct 2012 All,Nursing CRANAplus30thAnnualConference,PearlsofWisdom,Cairns,QLD25-27 Oct 2012 Medicine GP12GoldCoast,QLD26-28 Oct 2012 Medicine RuralMedicineAustralia2012,NationalConferenceofRDAA&ACRRM,AliceSprings,NT7-10 Nov 2012 Medicine NationalPrimaryHealthCareConference2012,Adelaide,SA16-18 Nov 2012 Medicine GPCEGeneralPractitionerConference&Exhibition,Melbourne,VIC7-10 April 2013 All NRHANationalRuralHealthConference,Adelaide,SA
Conferences
CommunityandAdvocacy
Driveforchange
TheNationalRuralHealthAllianceisamember-basedorganisationthatadvocatesforimprovedhealthoutcomesinruralcommunities.Thesecrettotheorganisation’ssuccessistheformulathatthealliancesupportsissuesthataffectits33nationalmembers.Eachpositionpaperissupportedbyallmembers—ifnot,theorganisationwalksaway.TheAllianceadvocatesforchangeacrossmanyhealthissuesandestablishedalistofpriorities
duetothediversityofitsmembership.OneofthecurrentissuestheAllianceislookingintoislocumworkandtheimpactof‘flyinandflyout’workpracticesonruralcomunities.The alliance advocates on behalf of early career health graduates for:More intern places, more registrar posts that are rural and regionally base for medical training, more regional and rural specialist places and mentoring for Allied Health and Nursing professionals during their early career in rural and remote locations.
Professor Lesley Barclayisastrongadvocateforruralhealth.LesleychairstheNationalRuralHealthAlliancewhileworkingasDirectoroftheUniversityCentreofRuralHealthNorthCoast.SheseesherroleatNRHAasasynthesis
ofherworkoverthepast20-30yearswhichhasbeendrivenbyadesiretocreatepositivechangeincareforclientsofhealthservices.Thejourneyintoruralhealthbeganwith
atraintrip.Eachschoolholidays,LesleywouldboardatraininMelbourneheadedforCharlton,innorthernVictoria,tovisithergrandparents.HerAuntywasa‘bushnurse’andhergrandparentslivedtwodoorsdownfromthehospital.Theseearlyexperiencesmadean
impression.LesleytrainedasanurseandtookherfirstroleasanurseintheAdelaide
Hills.Soon,Lesleyfollowedherclinicalinterestsintomidwifery.However,witheachroleLesleyidentifiedissueswithinthesystemthatrequiredchange.“Asamidwife,Icouldn’tchangethe
system.Asamidwifeteacher,Icouldn’tchangethesystem.”EventuallyLesleywasdrawnintoresearch
–lookingintosystemsofcareinmaternity,childhealthandutimatelyprimaryhealthinremotelocations.Shespentmuchtimeinthe80sand90sworkingoverseasasatechnicaladvisertoWHO,AusAIDandWorldBank.Then,tooktheroleofChairofHealthServicesDevelopmentinDarwinforfiveyears.OverthisperiodLesleyobserveditwas
difficultfornewhealthgraduatestogetcountryroles.Lesleyisastrongbelieverintheneedformentoringandsupportintheearlycareerphaseforallhealthprofessionals.Somedisciplinessuchasmedicinehavethebenefitofclinicalandbroaderpeersupportbuiltintotheirrole;otherssuchasalliedhealthornursinginremoteAustraliaoftenlackthis.OneoftheissuesthatLesleyis
advocatingforchangeasNRHAchairismoreequityinhowprofessionalslearnaboutandaresupportedinruralhealth.
Teena Downton, Chris Timms, Francesca Garnett and Mitchell Milanovic
LEAP into RURAL HEALTH
Rural Health Workforce
Level 5, 10 Queens RoadMelbourne Vic 3004 Australia
www.nrhsn.org.auTelephone 03 9860 4700Email: [email protected]
rural health workforce
JOIN THE
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NRHSN ALUMNI JOIN THE NRHSN ALUMNINetwork with medical, nursing and allied health members from across AustraliaShare your experiences with other rural health professionalsReceive and contribute to biannual newsletter Grab the opportunity to speak at eventsHost and mentor current NRHSN members on placements AND MORE …
Alumni Members register online:www.nrhsn.org.au/alumniEmail: [email protected]
www.rhwa.org.au
Were you a member of your Rural Health Club?
Are you about to graduate?