DURING National Palliative Care Week, on until 25 May, peak healthcare organisations are uniting to address the urgent need for enhanced services in rural and regional communities in Australia.
Funded by the government, a new scoping review pinpoints critical gaps and proposes solutions, such as the establishment of a Rural and Remote Institute of Palliative Medicine to advance local training and support.
The 'Beyond the Burbs' review was supported by the Australia New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine (ANZSPM), supported by the National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA) and Palliative Care Australia (PCA).
The severe disparity in palliative care was highlighted by Dr Christine Sanderson, ANZSPM councillor, who noted that only 16% of specialists serve the nearly 30% of Australians living in rural areas.
Emphasising the need for attractive rural career pathways to retain talent in these regions was highlighted by PCA CEO Camilla Rowland.
Further, a National Rural Health Strategy was advised by Susi Tegen, Chief Executive of the NRHA, to ensure care from birth to death in rural regions.
The outcomes of the review have been presented to the Federal Health Minister Mark Butler for further funding.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 22 May 24
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 22 May 24
