Rural health is one step closer to seeing the benefits of the appointment of a National Rural Health Commissioner.
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New legislation has paved the way for the appointment of a new champion for rural health and the doctors, nurses and allied health workers who care for those living in communities like Guyra.
The bill establishing the role has been agreed to and the Assistant Minister for Health, David Gillespie, welcomed the development this week.
He said the result would be better health for regional and rural Australians.
“Australia’s first National Rural Health Commissioner will be an independent and high-profile advocate for regional, rural and remote health,” Mr Gillespie said.
Mr Gillespie said the bill was an important milestone that delivered on the coalition’s election commitment to address shortfalls in medical and health professionals in rural, regional and remote areas.
“The Commissioner will also consider the nursing, dental health, Indigenous health, mental health, midwifery and allied health needs in regional, rural and remote Australia,” Mr Gillespie said.
“The Commissioner’s work will be informed by rural health stakeholders, who will be part of the new Distribution Working Group, as well as the Rural Health Stakeholder Roundtable that I meet with regularly.
“I’m delighted with the passage of this legislation, which will deliver crucial outcomes not just in medical and allied health workforce issues, but also broader rural health reform.”
A national process to appoint the National Rural Health Commissioner will begin shortly.
The bill was brought before the Senate last month.