Australian Medical Association

This submission responds to the HWA draft background paper - Rural and Remote Health Workforce Innovation and Reform Strategy released in July 2011 as part of the consultation process.

The AMA believes it is important that the Government gets it right to ensure that the health workforce in rural and remote areas is sustainable and that people in rural communities can access affordable, appropriate health care services when needed.

State Programs for Doctor Health

The Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) has developed changes to the federal legislation which restricts access to Medicare provider numbers and effectively limits where international medical graduates and “former overseas medical students” can work for a minimum period of 10 years – the “10-year moratorium”. AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, has written to Minister for Health and Ageing to request that the proposed amendments be introduced into Federal Parliament.

AMA/RDAA Rural Workforce Rescue Package Fact Sheet

AMA Policy for Better Health Care in Regional, Rural and Remote Australia

Ready resource of rural workforce programs and initiatives

This is a joint statement by the Australian Medical Students Association (AMSA), National Rural Health Network (NRHN), Doctors in Rural and Remote Training Association (DIRRTA), AMA Council of Doctors-in-Training (AMACDT) and the General Practice Registrars' Association (GPRA) opposing the introduction of geographic restrictions on provider numbers.

AMA Position Statement: Rural and Remote Health - 2001

West Melbourne Division of GP Name Address Info Tel Contact Tel to access service Summary Doctors for Doctors 9 Ashley Street West Footscray VIC 3012 e-mail 03 9689 4566 03 9689 4566 Program designed to provide an opportunity for GPs to form an ongoing professional association with a peer for the purpose of maintaining or improving their health status. GP Health Weekend 9 Ashley Street West Footscray VIC 3012 e-mail 03 9689 4566 03 9689 4566 A family weekend away which supports

Macarthur Division of GP Name Address Info Tel Contact Tel to access service Summary GP Health Weekend 1 Bolger St Cambelltown NSW e-mail 02 4625 9522 02 4625 6522 Southern Highlands Division of GP Name Address Info Tel Contact Tel to access service Summary GP Health Weekend PO Box 724 Bowral NSW 2576 e-mail 02 4861 6084 02 4861 6084 Central Sydney Division of GP Name Address Info Tel Contact Tel to access service Summary GP's Physical Activity Study 381 Liverpool Road Ash