The Fight for Equitable Access to Primary Health Care

It is time the community drove the conversation about rural health in general, especially in remote and very remote Australia.

RAM (Remote Australians Matter) is a newly established organisation born as a result of a group of like-minded people concerned about the lack of access to appropriate primary health care in the outback. RAM’s focus is on the three percent of the population who occupy the 70 per cent of the country that is classified remote or very remote according to DHAC's Modified Monash Model.

There is no mandated minimum standard primary health care in remote Australia.

There’s no end of studies that demonstrate the positive impact that appropriate primary health care can have on our lives. ?And if you’re still in doubt, look to your own experiences. I’m sure you’re aware that apart from the excellent service provided by the Royal Flying Doctor's Association, access to appropriate primary health care is practically non-existent.

Every person living in remote Australia should have access to a mandated minimum standard of Primary Health Care that aligns with the standard available to urban Australia and is appropriate to their needs.

Remote Australians Matter (RAM) is taking this fight to Canberra, and we need your help.

What should you do?

First & foremost support the upcoming conference.

At the Remote Australians Matter conference in Charleville on September 27th a group of passionate Australians will gather together to promote the formation of new place-based models of primary health care that are innovative, equitable, appropriate, well-funded and sustainable in remote Australia. The National Rural Health Commissioner, Associate Professor Ruth Stewart, will deliver the keynote address.

Attend. Send a company representative. Delegate someone to attend online. Lend your profile & influence to this event and demonstrate your support for this issue. Because after all, it will ultimately affect your bottom line. Retention of skilled staff in our industry is a struggle. Access to appropriate health care is a big reason why people leave remote areas and RAM wants to change that.

In a world where ESG is the keystone of corporate operations this is a project that is social with a capital S. I can personally guarantee that your support of this issue will get lots of positive coverage on social media and in traditional press. I’m giving my support and profile to this cause to improve access to primary health care in remote areas because in the words of Peter Quill from Guardians of the Galaxy ?“I'm one of the idiots who lives in it!”.

Secondly, money talks.

The RAM board is made up of five passionate Australians - the Chair is author and advocate Annabelle Brayley of Morven, and fellow directors are Judy Treloar, Angus White, Robin Bryant and Stan Starvos, all who either live remotely or have strong links to remote areas. The governance and standards of this group is first class and what they have managed to achieve so far is astounding, but advocacy ain’t cheap. Especially when it involves travel from some of the most far-flung regions of Australia to our nation’s capital.

Thirdly, open your address books.

We all know that generating widespread public support for an issue is only part of the battle. The other half is getting meetings with the right people. And to get those meetings we need someone to help RAM open the right doors, invitations to the right events and to speak to the right people.

This is a cause worth supporting, and the people involved are dedicated, experienced and skilled advocates. They can be trusted to do the right thing and have a history of delivering results.

To find out more about the Rural Australians Matter conference visit: www.remoteaustraliansmatter.com

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