RWAV Conference 2024 Overview
The RWAV Conference, ‘Pathways to Progress: Healthcare Access in Rural Victoria,’ was held on 15 – 16 February 2024. RWAV would like to thank all delegates who participated in the program and attended the event.
RWAV were delighted to meet with you to discuss the key sub-themes at our Conference which included:
- Future Workforce: Building the Pipeline,
- Multidisciplinary Teams: Uniting for Better Care,
- Sustainability: Building a Thriving Rural Health Future,
- Data Capability: From Data to Action
Keynote Speakers
Keynote Speaker
- Karen Heap OAM, CEO of Ballarat & District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC)
- Lauren Cordwell, CEO of Rural Workforce Agency Victoria
- Adj. Prof. Ruth Stewart, National Rural Health Commissioner
- A/Prof Rex Prabhu, Executive Director, Swan Hill District Health
- Kate Temby, General Manager Strategy and Partnerships, RWAV &
Chez Lim, Team Leader Analytics and Reporting, RWAV
Panels
Panel 1 – Sustainability: Building a Thriving Rural Health Future |
Hosted by Prof Grant Phelps, RWAV Deputy Board Chair. Panel members include:
- Dr Pat Giddings, CEO, Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS).
- Bronwyn Morris-Donovan, CEO, Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA).
- Dr Hung The Nguyen, Medical Educator MDRAP Support, RWAV.
- Jemma Abraham, MD Student, Melbourne University, Ballarat.
- Sally Kendall, Social Worker (Retired), Monash Rural Health Advisory Committee, President of Ensay Bush Nursing Centre Committee of Management
Panel 2 – Future Workforce: Building the Pipeline
Hosted by Ellen Jackson, MC. Panel members include:
- Dale Fraser, CEO, Grampians Health
- Tayla Cameron, RWAV student ambassador, Deakin University,
- Durga (Bhakta Bahadur Bhattarai), 2024 Victorian Young Australian of the Year.
- Carla Taylor, CEO, GP Supervision Australia.
- Prof Louisa Remedios, Professor, Federation University.
- Dr Kathy Kirkpatrick, Medical Advisor, RWAV.
Panel 3 – Multidisciplinary Teams: Uniting for Better Care
Hosted by Ellen Jackson, MC. Panel members include:
- Briana Baass, Chief Allied Health Officer, Safer Care Victoria.
- Cath Maloney, CEO, Services for Australian Rural & Remote Allied Health (SARRAH).
- Adj Assoc Prof Morton Rawlin AM, Board Chair, RWAV
- Michelle Whitelaw, Care Coordinator, Nurse Practitioner Rural Outreach Model, Northern District Community Health.
- Emma Gunn, Medical student, The University of Melbourne & Registered Nurse
Lightning Presentations
Lightning Sessions, Sustainability: Building a Thriving Rural Health Future
- Dr Melanie Trivett, General Manager Primary Health Care, Royal Flying Doctors Service Victoria, & Mario Gupta, Primary Health Consultant at Larter Consulting, Abstract title: Building a Sustainable Rural Healthcare Model: A Case Study from Robinvale, Victoria View here
- Stacy Doan, Allied Health Assistant, Plena Healthcare – Zenitas, Abstract title: Developing unconventional approaches for group-based physiotherapy exercise programs in rural residential aged care settings: An Occupational Therapy perspective Authored by: Ms Stacy Doan, Ms Alix Reeves, Plena Healthcare, Zenitas, Geelong, Victoria, Australia View here
- Isobel Gribben, Manager, Goulburn Valley Regional Training Hub, The University of Melbourne Abstract title: Supporting and Connecting Rural Doctors to Sustain the Rural Health Workforce Authored by: Ms. Trikkelle Flynn View here
Lightning Sessions, Multidisciplinary Teams: Uniting for Better Care
- Jane Dow, Clinical Director and Physiotherapist, Allied Therapy Services.
Abstract title: Can a podcast increase a clinicians understanding of the key components needed for working collaboratively in a mobile allied health workforce? Authored by: Jane Dow, Renee De Wit View here - John Chen, Senior Podiatrist, Latrobe Community Health Service & Latrobe Regional Health.
Abstract title: Collaborative Inpatient and Community Care: A Novel Approach to Diabetes-Related Foot Disease for Regional and Rural Victoria. Authored by: Mr. John Chen, Latrobe Community Health Service, Victoria, Australia, Ms. Alison Lang & Dr. Scott, Latrobe Regional Health, Victoria, Australia McNeil View here - Assoc Prof Hieu Pham, Psychiatrist & Deputy Director, North West Victoria Regional Training Hub. Abstract title: Delivery of a Multidisciplinary Psychiatry Education Program for an MMM 5 Health Service Authored by: AP Hieu Pham, Monash Rural Health and Mildura Base Public Hospital, Erin Fisher, Mildura Base Public Hospital, & Cheree Schneider, West Wimmera Health Service View here
Lightning Sessions, Future Workforce: Building the Pipeline
- Assoc Prof Lara Fuller, Director of Rural Medical Education (GP), Deakin University School of Medicine. Abstract title: ‘Growing our own’ in southwestern Victoria: end-to-end rural pathways to health professional careers View here
- Amy Poynton, Manager, Gippsland Regional Training Hub from Monash Rural Health, Monash University. Abstract title: Doctor What? Doctor Where? A podcast to inspire the future rural workforce Authored by: Ms. Amy Poynton, (submission has co-authors also) View here
- Dr Kyra Postlethwaite, Junior Doctor, Monash Rural Health & Grampians VRGP. Abstract title: Rural Origin Definitions for Medical School Entry and Measuring Outcomes View here
- Susan Trevillian, Pharmacist, Deputy Director Pharmacy Northeast Health Wangaratta. Abstract title: Reconnecting the Workforce Pipeline – 8 Years of Growing Career Rural Hospital Pharmacists View here
Lightning Sessions, Data Capability: From Data to Action
- Sarah Crowe, Digital Health Manager, Western Victoria Primary Health Network. Abstract title: Measuring Digital Maturity in General Practice Authored by: Sarah Crowe Western Victoria Primary Health Network, Alyce Cuman – Semantic Consulting, Tim Blake – Semantic Consulting
View here - Jim O’Shea, COO & Company Secretary, Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO). Abstract title: Workforce, Population and client demand projections for Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations Authored by: Jim O’Shea, Hannah Gheller and Brooke Sando View here
- Assoc Prof Cath Lees, Director Integrated Projects and Partnerships, Murray PHN. Abstract title: Identification of general practitioner workforce needs and place-based solutions – the value of data informed decision making. Authored by: Adj Prof Catherine Lees, Shane Boyer & Rakesh Rawat, Murray Primary Health Network View here
- Kerina Princi, Project Manager – Healthcare Reform, RWAV and Dr Catherine Keniry Director – Research and Medical Evaluation, School of Rural Medicine Charles Sturt University Abstract title: Enhancing rural registrar training for improved sustainability pilot project: A mixed methods study Authored by: Kerina Princi, Project Manager – Healthcare Reform, RWAV & Dr Catherine Keniry PhD, Director – Research and Medical Evaluation, School of Rural Medicine Charles Sturt University View here
Training – Neurodiversity Affirming Practice
Neurodiversity Affirming Practice
Presented by Sandhya Menon of Onwards & Upwards Psychology
RoundTable – Conference Learnings
Hosted by Prof Grant Phelps, RWAV Deputy Board Chair.
Reflecting on the discussions across both days of the RWAV Conference, delegates were prompted to explore and examine the barriers and enablers and the opportunities.
This session clarified attendees common understanding of the challenges and hope for the future of rural healthcare.
I am pessimistic because:
- GP criticism – unrealistic societal expectations
- Aging workforce
- Increase in competition for finite resources
- No common understanding/priorities between healthcare organisations
- Funding models
- Lack of focus on prevention
- Lack of strategic planning by government à changing governments
- Duplication of effort à opportunity to partner better
- Impact of government decisions (payroll tax)
- Learned Helplessness
- Siloed work
- Housing and Social services
I am optimistic because:
- Being able to challenge the norms and be proactive
- Incremental change is a step in the right direction
- Future generation able to create change in the system
- We have the foundation to connect the dots
- Willingness to share for a greater goal
- Technology is improving the way services can be delivered
- Future generations are empowered to take opportunities
- Rural training for rural students
- Unstoppable force when collaborating together à beginning to occur
- Resilience to continue to make progress
- Increase in rural voices in decision making
Sponsors and Partners
