The Albanese and Minns Governments are working together to strengthen access to health care in regional, rural and remote NSW, with representatives meeting today in Cootamundra for the latest Bilateral Regional Health Forum.
The forum is co-chaired by the Federal Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, Emma McBride and NSW Minister for Health and Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park.
It provides the opportunity to discuss regional, rural and remote health issues and monitor progress on both governments' commitments to ensuring a collaborative approach to improving health outcomes.
Focus areas for today's Bilateral Regional Health Forum include primary care, aged care and mental health services and the rural generalist workforce.
Delegates will receive an update on the expansion of the NSW Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway (RGSEP) which supports doctors to train and live in regional areas as they work across both the general practice and hospital settings.
The new Aged Care Act 2024 will also be discussed at the forum and how it relates to the 66 Multi-purpose Services which are located across eight rural local health districts in NSW.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, Emma McBride:
"The Albanese Government is working in close partnership with the Minns Government to make healthcare in rural, regional and remote communities more accessible and affordable.
"Today's Bilateral Regional Health Forum allows us to hear about the unique challenges of healthcare in the bush.
"We know that the best way to build a regional health workforce is by educating and training health practitioners in these communities - that's why our government is investing in rural clinical training schools and funding more Commonwealth Supported Places."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health and Regional Health, Ryan Park:
"We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Albanese Government in strengthening the systems and supports needed to ensure people living in regional, rural and remote communities can access high quality health care.
"The Bilateral Regional Health Forum gives us the opportunity to build on this partnership as we work together to improve health outcomes and overcome the challenges faced by people living in our rural and regional communities.
"We have already seen important outcomes from our partnership including the expansion of the innovative single employer model which will help strengthen the regional health workforce through a Rural Generalist training pathway, producing more GPs.
"The positive engagement and experiences of our staff in the rural generalist pathway provides a great foundation for this model to be built on."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson:
"This forum is a vital opportunity to bring both levels of government together to tackle the unique challenges facing regional communities and ensure that health services- including mental health- are better tailored to meet local needs"
"The expansion of the Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway is a game-changer- not just for general practice and hospital care, but for mental health too. When we support doctors to live and work in regional communities, we build stronger, more resilient health systems for the long term."
"We're committed to strengthening mental health services in the regions, supporting the local workforce, and making sure people can get the quality help they need, close to home."
