The SSRS is now calling for applications for one-off CPD grants of up to $5,000 to support individual specialists living and working in RRMA classified Remote Zones 1 and 2.

Providing targeted support to specialists practising in remote areas remains critical, given the difficulties these health professionals face in relation to accessing CPD and peer support.

Please click here to access a copy of the Application Form and Guidelines along with a comprehensive list of towns and regions which fall under Remote Zones. Applications close 5pm January 31st, 2008.

All Round Seven Projects are well underway with a number of Project events already being carried out. These include:

• A Neurotrauma workshop to give surgeons practising in rural areas access to training in burr-hole surgery for neurotrauma emergencies (RACS Project 7.05). 
• Educational teleconferences for rural gynaecologists as part of the ‘Colposcopy Audit Project’ (RANZCOG Project 7.07).  
• A Challenging Clinical Presentations course to support rural specialists managing common paediatric conditions where children are less responsive to usual therapies (RACP Project 7.11).

Check out our Events Page on the website, for further information on upcoming events.

A SSRS Strategic Planning Forum was held in September 2007 involving rural practising specialists, senior medical College staff and representatives from the Department of Health and Ageing. 

The SSRS is a valuable Program in providing CPD and peer support for specialists practising in rural and remote Australia. However, after seven rounds of funding, participants considered it timely for a review of the Program, to ensure that the SSRS can further provide an optimal level of support to rural practising specialists in the future.

Recommendations to increase the value, capacity and long term viability of the Program have now been forwarded to the Department.

National Rural Health Alliance: Now that the election is over, there will be some major developments and opportunities in rural and remote health and the NRHA would like to capture some of the ideas from people in the field to provide advice to the incoming Health Minister.

How do you think the Minister should address health workforce shortages or the lack of access to health services in rural and remote areas?

The NRHA is asking for your contributions of up to 50 words, to be forwarded to leanne@ruralhealth.org.au by Christmas. This information will be used to inform the NRHA's negotiations with the incoming government.

Understanding why doctors make decisions about their location of work - MABEL Survey: Decisions doctors make about working in rural and remote areas has important implications for the populations access to health care.

Medicine in Australia: Balancing Life and Employment (MABEL) is a new longitudinal survey aimed at improving the understanding of how changes in the working lives of Australian doctors are influencing the provision of healthcare.

The survey will track a sample of doctors including specialists and trainees. The survey will commence in May 2008. To find out more about the MABEL survey, visit www.mabel.org.au.

The Victorian Rural Doctors’ Awards recognise individual doctors and their spouses who have contributed to their communities in exceptional ways over a long period of time.

RWAV (Rural Workforce Agency, Victoria) is now calling for nominations for the 2008 Victorian Rural Doctors' Awards and nominations close on Friday 14th March, 2008.

Nomination guidelines and application forms can be downloaded from the RWAV website at www.rwav.com.au.

For further information, contact Paul Loughran (RWAV) on (03) 9349 7805

Just a reminder that the Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program (MSOAP) is an Australian Government funded Program which aims to improve access to specialist health services in rural and remote areas. MSOAP is able to provide assistance by addressing some of the financial disincentives faced by medical specialists providing outreach services.

For more information about MSOAP, please contact the Department's rural health information line on 1800 020 787 or email ruralhealth@health.gov.au. Alternatively, contact the relevant state/territory fundholder.