Image supplied by Coolamon Shire Council (click to see full size image)
Rural Health
The Shires Association is vitally concerned about the increasing demands on rural and remote councils across a range of medical and related health services. The Association conducted the research project to quantify levels of activity and financial support in this area by rural and remote councils, which was published as Rural and Remote Council Support of Medical and Related Health Services (121KB).
The Shires Association Executive took the view that with better data the Association can play a stronger role in advocating for much-needed Commonwealth and State Government assistance. 85 councils responded to the survey. This was just over 80 per cent of all members and associate members of the Shires Association at December 2003, which is a remarkable response rate for such a survey.
These councils are spending around $2.2 million per year providing the types of medical and related health services that are arguably the role of central governments to provide. These councils are also spending almost half a million dollars per year subsidising medical and related health services. Responding councils have also made met significant capital costs over recent years.
The Shires Association Executive believes this data assisted in the lobbying processes that lead to the election commitment on the Rural Medical Infrastructure Fund which has $15m over three years, commencing in 2005-06, to help offset the costs faced by local councils in their bid to keep doctors in the bush. The RMIF was announced as part of the 2005-06 Federal Budget. Details, including guidelines and application form, are available at www.regionalpartnerships.gov.au.
