A scholarship fund has been launched to provide healthcare workers the opportunity to sample life in the bush, as local healthcare providers look to overcome a disparity in outcomes for rural communities.
Continuing GP shortages and increased work stress amid natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic is placing considerable pressure on the mental health and wellbeing of Australia’s rural primary health workforce.
University of New South Wales associate professor John Kramer shared his concern for our rural health care workforce in the 2021 Rural Doctors Network annual report.
"In spite of these fierce and sustained challenges, high-quality health care remains the standard for the bush," he said.
Promoting the rural lifestyle
Recruitment of healthcare professionals is an ongoing challenge for regional healthcare providers.
They are competing with the lure of attractive metropolitan placements and greater access to specialised graduate programs offered in the cities.
However, a Country Women's Association (CWA) scholarship program auspiced by the Rural Doctors Network is providing medical students, student nurses, midwives and allied health students an opportunity to explore the unique benefits and rewards of working in the bush, while gaining hands-on experience early in their training.
Regional councils are providing ongoing funding for the program with the aim of encouraging students to experience the rewards and lifestyle benefits of working in the bush.
Students experience bush health
Bachelor of Nursing student Caitlin Moore, recently completed a two-week $1,500 Bush Bursary placement with Wentworth Community Health, providing a diverse range of health practice experiences that was funded by the Wentworth Shire.
"It highlighted the importance of collaboration between health providers and demonstrated true community spirit."
Placements providing unique experience to students
Phillipa Kensit is the program lead for the NSW Rural Doctors Network, a registered nurse who is also studying Medicine is passionate about the future the rural healthcare workforce and is researching strategies to support, attract and recruit healthcare professionals into considering a rural career pathway.
Ms Kensit coordinates Bush Bursary placements for students throughout regional NSW and the Northern Territory, by matching each student to unique rural and remote health service experiences, tailored to their specific interests.
Rural health a hot political topic
The member for Murray, Helen Dalton, said that Wentworth has become the worst kept secret, the beautiful river community experiencing massive population growth over recent years has brought with it a complexity of healthcare needs, placing considerable stress on the regions existing health resources.
“We really need an ongoing effective recruitment plan to ensure Wentworth's existing healthcare workforce and the new hospital can provide adequate services for the community," Ms Dalton said
"Waiving of the university HECS debt for all medical and nurse practitioner students committed to working in regionals areas and providing suitable accommodation while they're here, is essential if we want to fulfil our healthcare staffing needs."
