Funding extended for RAHC
The Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) will continue to operate in 2010-11
478 placements, 1700 weeks of health service delivered in the NT to date.
The Department of Health and Ageing and Aspen Medical have signed an agreement to continue the operation of RAHC for another 12 months based on the success of the first two years of operation.
RAHC was established with funding from the Australian Government to facilitate urban-based health professionals – GPs, nurses, allied health and dental - to undertake short-term, paid, placements in remote, primary health services of the Northern Territory.
RAHC has supported 478 placements since December 2008, including 53 GP, 287 registered nurse, 47 allied health and 91 dental professional placements. As of 30 June, these health professionals have delivered 1733 weeks of primary health care in remote communities throughout the NT.
More than 250 health professionals have participated so far and many are coming back multiple times and on a regular basis. RAHC’s ‘top performer’ has done 13 placements around the NT while several others have done 8 or more. Many other health professionals have been so taken by the challenges and rewards of remote health work that they have moved into permanent, ongoing positions in the NT.
RAHC General Manager, Dr Lisa Studdert says the organisation has been overwhelmed by the positive response from so many health professionals to this opportunity.
“Australian health professionals want to be part of ‘closing the gap’ and they are excited when they learn that there is a simple but effective way to get involved.”
“Importantly, we work closely with the health services to respond to their specific needs. RAHC health professionals only ever go where they are invited and they work as part of the team already on the ground.Health professionals are paid and supported throughout their placement and RAHC’s extensive training and orientation programs ensure they are well prepared to deliver effective health care in new and challenging environments.”
“Our aim with this contract extension is to ensure more and more urban-based health professionals know about this opportunity and to expand the pool of available, trained and skilled health professionals returning on a regular basis. We believe this offers a new and unique approach to addressing some of the ongoing health workforce challenges in remote Australia and for Indigenous health and look forward to an ongoing role in devising solutions.” Dr Studdert said.
