International Nurses Day - 12 May
12 May 2011
Today the Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) celebrates International Nurses Day to acknowledge the contribution made by every nurse to the health of society.
Along with GPs, Allied Health and Dental professionals, RAHC recruits and supports urban based Nurses and Midwives to fill short term paid placements in remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory (NT). 51% of all health professionals placed by RAHC into the NT are registered nurses or midwives.
The theme for International Nurses Day 2011 is, Closing the Gap: Increasing access and equality. RAHC nurses contribute to this theme by assisting in the expansion of service delivery in areas that do not have easily accessible health care.
RAHC nurses provide support to the hard working staff in remote health centres, enabling permanent staff to take leave or undertake professional development as required. As recognised by the International Council of Nurses, nurses have an important role to reduce health inequities.
Since establishing in 2008, RAHC has filled more than 880 placements and contributed to over 3145 weeks of additional primary health care service being undertaken in remote NT health centres. This equates to more than 78 full time health professionals working per year in the NT.
Philip Roberts, RAHC Acting General Manager says, “RAHC is fortunate to have attracted a large number of dedicated health professionals, including nurses and midwives, to take up short-term placements in the NT on a regular basis. These health professionals are passionate about working in remote communities and improving Indigenous health comes. RAHC nurses often comment on the rewards and sense of achievement gained both personally and professionally after working in a remote Indigenous community.”
“Happy International Nurses Day to our RAHC nurses - your contribution to ‘Closing the Gap’ and remote health is much appreciated.”
