New Publication on Rural Health
A Bright Future for Rural Health:
Evidence-Based Policy and Practice in Rural and Remote Australian Health Care
Potential innovations for rural health delivery in Australia have been presented in a new publication by the Australian Rural Health Education Network (ARHEN) today.
The Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health, Warren Snowdon, launched the book, A Bright Future for Rural Health: Evidence-Based Policy and Practice in Rural and Remote Australian Health Care, in Brisbane today at the Second Rural and Remote Health Scientific Symposium.
Mr Snowdon said the publication, funded by the Rudd Government, is set out in plain English, and features a series of studies conducted in rural Australia either solely by, or in collaboration with, University Departments of Rural Health.
“The research presented in this book has a number of applications that I am certain will be of considerable benefit to people living in rural and remote Australia,” Mr Snowdon said.
Mr Snowdon said the publication featured 19 projects covering the areas of clinical services, Indigenous health, mental health, service delivery and workforce development.
“In effect, it is a valuable snapshot of just where we are at with our health services in the vast areas of this country outside the main centres of population,” Mr Snowdon said.
“But this publication goes further, offering potential solutions to challenges involving health service delivery in the bush.”
Mr Snowdon addressed the symposium, urging a closer relationship between research organisations such as ARHEN and policymakers in order to achieve a consensus on priorities, and to work collaboratively on the development of policies of benefit to Australians living in the rural and regional Australia.
“The evidence that your research presents is crucial to the Government’s program of health reform,” the Mr Snowdon said.
People in rural and remote Australia will benefit from significant improvements in the delivery of health, hospital and aged care services under the Rudd Government’s health reforms.
The 2010–11 Budget continues the Government’s commitment to ensuring all Australians get the health care they need, when they need it, regardless of where they live. The Rudd Government is investing more than $795 million in targeted rural health programs, a 65% funding increase on rural health programs provided by the previous Government in its last budget.
From the media release distributed by the Hon Warren Snowdon MP
Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery
09 June 2010
