The final report from the National Rural Health Commissioner on the Improvement of Access, Quality and Distribution of Allied Health Services in Regional, Rural and Remote Australia has been released today.  The report is a culmination of two years of consultations with the Allied Health Sector on issues and challenges impacting on access to services for rural and remote Australians.  The four overarching recommendations include:

• The establishment of so-called "service and learning consortia" across rural and remote Australia, supported by new and existing program funding. Service and Learning Consortia will consist of local private, public and not for profit service providers, training providers, and community representatives collaborating across multi-town and multi-sector networks, according to community need.
• The investment in strategies to increase the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the allied health workforce. Two strategies recommended are: further expansion of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy model to all Australian jurisdictions; and the creation of a Leaders in Indigenous Allied Health Training and Education Network.
• The Commonwealth should develop a National Allied Health Data Strategy, including building a geospatial Allied Health Minimum Dataset that incorporates comprehensive rural and remote allied health workforce data.
• The appointment of a dedicated full-time Chief Allied Health Officer (CAHO) to work across sectors and departments including health, mental health, disability, aged care, early childhood, education and training, justice, and social services. The CAHO will work with relevant peak bodies and consumer advisory groups to ensure equity of access to high quality allied health services for all rural and remote communities.

While we haven't yet had an opportunity to dissect the report in detail, an initial skim of the content suggests that the recommendations are founded on well-considered and solid principles, reflecting the deep commitment, care and attention to detail that Professor Worley has brought to his consultations.  In particular, we applaud Professor Worley's approach in giving precedence to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the allied health workforce and the comprehensive delivery of culturally safe and responsive services as key recommendations.   Whatever ensues in the implementation of these recommendations, enabling and facilitating a skilled Aboriginal Health workforce and improving the health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities should remain a top priority.

Webinar recording of "Experiences and Outcomes of Rural Generalist Trainees in QLD, NSW and TAS" now available!

On Thursday 19 March a group of Allied Health Rural Generalist trainees presented summaries of their service development projects. You can catch the recording here. 

Upcoming Events and conferences 

	OT Exchange 2020 22-23 June 2020 Online Conference
	HIC 2020 19-21 October 2020 Brisbane, QLD
	21st International Mental Health Conference 12-14 November 2020 RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, QLD
	Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference 25 - 27 November 2020 Mantra Legends, Gold Coast
	Associations Forum National Conference 30 November - 1 December 2020 Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane
	The 2020 Workplace Mental Health Symposium TBC Hilton, Brisbane, QLD1
	7th Rural and Remote Health Scientific Symposium: Shaping the future TBC Alice Springs Convention Centre, NT