Gone bush to improve healthcare

11 Oct 2022

Host Tash Miles is joined by Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner, Professor Faye McMillan AM, and CEO of New South Wales Rural Doctors Network, Richard Colbran on both the practitioners experience working in rural and remote areas but also what innovations are being born out of the challenges these communities face.

As a proud Wiradjuri woman and registered pharmacist, Professor Faye McMillan is particularly protective of rural and remote communities and a huge advocate for what they can offer practitioners.

‘It is the opportunity to be part of the community, not an add on ... It’s the opportunity to look at how multiple components of communities need to come together.’

As CEO of NSW Rural Doctors Network, Richard Colbran works supporting rural doctors to deliver care to their communities. He sees the challenges practitioners face, and also the passion.

‘Rural health is actually the last bastion of whole of health care if you like. It’s where a team works as a team. It’s where clinicians get to practise, or train and then practise at the top of their scope. And it’s where groups of people come together and think about having the patient at the centre.’

And it’s this passion for patients and access to safe care that has demanded innovative way to deliver, treat and communicate with patients.

‘We have places where we don’t have GP-led models. We do actually have allied health led models where a GP is part of that team, but because they’re not there all the time they are working with the other health professionals that are there,’ Professor McMillan said.

Hear more of this conversation and the about the innovative work in the full episode.

Did you know?

The Taking care podcast series offers professional and consumer perspectives on current issues and answers some frequently asked questions about public safety in healthcare. Download and listen to the latest Taking care episode today. 

Ahpra releases a new episode fortnightly, discussing current topics and the latest issues affecting safe healthcare in Australia. You can also listen and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and by searching ‘Taking Care’ in your podcast player.

Contact us

• For media enquiries, phone (03) 8708 9200. 
• If you have questions or feedback about the podcast, email communications@ahpra.gov.au
• For registration enquiries, please phone 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 9285 3010 (overseas callers).