Better health for rural australians
“People in regional Australia experience higher rates of chronic disease and injury than people in cities.” Dr Wooldridge said.
“The Government is serious about addressing these issues and realises that in country settings, where people don’t have the same access to doctors and health services as people living in urban centres, local solutions are needed. By providing funding to these organisations to develop and pilot local solutions in their own communities, we stand a much better chance of making a difference to the rates of chronic disease and injury experienced in rural Australia.” he said.
The RCDI will assist rural communities with populations of less than 5000 people to find ways to prevent and better manage diseases such as asthma; heart disease; stroke; renal failure; Type 2 diabetes; osteoporosis; cancers; depression; and disabilities caused by preventable injuries.
Each of the Pilot Sites will work with a consultant to document all work carried out. The information collected during the pilot phase will then assist up to 100 more communities that will receive one-off funding in the second phase of the RCDI – a larger scale roll out expected to commence next year.
The RCDI is part of the Commonwealth Government’s Regional Health Strategy: More Doctors, Better Services, announced in last year’s Budget.
A list of the ten pilot sites follows:
PILOT SITES;
Dorrigo Multi-Purpose Service Based at: DORRIGO NSW
Northern Rivers Division of General Practice Based at: LISMORE NSW
Upper Murray Health and Community Services Based at: CORRYONG VIC
Yarram and District Health Service Based at: YARRAM VIC
Esperance Multi Purpose Health Centre Based at: DOVER TAS
Pinnaroo Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital Inc Based at: PINNAROO SA
Pika Wiya Health Service Inc Based at: PORT AUGUSTA SA
Lower Great Southern Health Service Based at: ALBANY WA
Anyinginyi Congress Aboriginal Corporation Based at: TENNANT CREEK NT
Wowan Dululu Multi-Purpose Centre Based at: WOWAN QLD