The Australian Government has appointed two new National Rural Health Deputy Commissioners to improve access to healthcare for the more than 7.3 million Australians living in rural, regional and remote Australia.
The government welcomes Professor Linda Deravin, as Deputy Commissioner for nursing, and Associate Professor Geoff Argus as Deputy Commissioner for allied health.
The new deputy commissioners, along with the commissioner, will provide a rural focus to the government's strategies, policies and plans to make sure the health and wellbeing needs of rural Australians are considered and acted on.
Data shows that people living in rural and remote areas face greater health challenges because of the tyranny of distance.
Professor Linda Deravin is a proud Wiradjuri woman with kinship ties to Bathurst, NSW and brings more than 40 years of experience in the nursing profession. Her expertise spans aged care, primary health care, rural health, emergency care, First Nations health and wellbeing, and health leadership and management.
Professor Deravin has worked extensively across both public and private sectors, with a strong focus on regional and rural communities and is Head of School and Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Southern Queensland.
Associate Professor Geoff Argus was born and raised on the Darling Downs in Queensland. He is a clinical psychologist and has worked across regional and rural and remote Australia for more than 20 years. He is an Associate Professor in Rural Health at The University of Queensland (UQ) and is the Director of Rural Health with the UQ Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences.
The deputy commissioners will also contribute to work on training opportunities in rural, regional and remote areas to build the health workforce of the future.
Linda and Geoff will support the National Rural Health Commissioner, Professor Jenny May, and have started in their roles.
The Australian Government is working to improve healthcare in regional communities including increasing bulk billing, investing in new and upgraded rural medical schools, and increasing Commonwealth Supported Places.
The government thanks the previous deputy commissioners, Adjunct Professor Shelley Nowlan and Professor Faye McMillan for their tireless work and dedication to their roles.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride:
"I welcome the appointment of Professor Linda Deravin and Associate Professor Geoff Argus to the deputy commissioner roles."
As deputies they bring a wealth of experience and expertise and will advocate strongly for improved rural health outcomes across Australia."
"The Albanese Government is working to improve access to healthcare for people living outside big cities so they can get the care they need when they need it."
Quotes attributable to Professor Jenny May, National Rural Health Commissioner:
"With nearly one-third of our population living outside major cities, it's vital that health policies and programs reflect their unique needs."
Linda and Geoff bring decades of experience and a strong commitment to rural communities to the team, and I'm confident they will be powerful advocates for improving health outcomes across the country."
"The appointment of Professor Linda Deravin and Associate Professor Geoff Argus as deputy commissioners marks a step forward in strengthening rural health leadership."
"They will deepen the office's team-based approach, which will help ensure that the voices of regional, rural and remote Australians are heard in national health policy."
