The Support Scheme for Rural Specialists

In this Newsletter

	SSRS Round Seven – Applications close 14 June 2007
	RHEF Program 12 June 2007 – Multidisciplinary Management of Chronic Diseases
	Specialist Obstetrician Locum Scheme (SOLS) - RANZCOG

What is the SSRS?

The Support Scheme for Rural Specialists is an initiative of the Committee of Presidents of Medical Colleges and the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Each Specialist College contributes to the operation and management of the Scheme.

Email:
info@ruralspecialist.org.au

Phone:
02 9256 9615

Outcomes from Round Six SSRS

Round Six of the SSRS has recently come to a close. Key program and project outcomes include the following:

Over 100 CPD and peer support activities held;
More than 750 rural specialists involved as participants or clinical leaders;
Strengthening of inter-College collaboration and capacity to develop, implement and evaluate rural specific CPD projects;
Networking and collaboration between overseas trained specialists, specialist trainees and other medical and non-medical workers to reduce professional isolation and strengthen collegiality and clinical systems;
Reported acquisition of new or improved skill, knowledge or confidence in relation to specific clinical or professional areas; and
Greater understanding of the integration of CPD or quality assurance activities in a site based context.

To access a copy of abstracts from Round Six Final Reports, please click here.

SSRS Round Seven – Applications close 14 June 2007

Applications are now open for funding under Round Seven of the SSRS. Specialist Medical Colleges are encouraged to collaborate with their rural Fellows and submit applications for needs based rural specific CPD and peer support projects.

Initially, Program funding will be available to Colleges via two Streams:

Clinical and Professional Skills (up to $80,000 per Project)

Clinical Systems (up to $150,000 per Project)

The Project Management Unit is able to provide Colleges assistance in the development of applications, up until the closing date of 5:00pm, Thursday 14 June 2007.

You will need to refer to the following documentation prior to submitting an application.

Round Seven Application Instructions
Round Seven Funding and Application Guidelines
Round Seven Application Form

To access these documents at the SSRS website, please click here.

For further information, please contact Belinda Pond at the Project Management Unit on (02) 9256 9615 or at info@ruralspecialist.org.au.

RHEF Program 12 June 2007 – Multidisciplinary Management of Chronic Diseases

A new Rural Health Education Foundation program airing on June 12 2007, presents a series of case studies to explore the principles of prevention and multidisciplinary management of chronic disease in rural and remote health services.

Funded by the Department of Health and Ageing, this Program addresses the early intervention and identification of risk factors, effective management of people already diagnosed with a chronic disease, the concept of self management, barriers to multidisciplinary care and potential solutions.

This program will be broadcast via the Foundation's satellite network on Tuesday 12 June 2007 at 8:00pm AEST and the broadcast will also be repeated on Friday 15 June 2007 at 12:30pm AEST.

For further details about the Program, please click here.

Specialist Obstetrician Locum Scheme (SOLS) - RANZCOG

The SOLS pilot aims to maintain and improve the access of rural women to quality local obstetric care, by providing the rural specialist obstetrician workforce with efficient and cost-effective locum support.

The pilot program which commenced in July 2006 also aims to sustain safety and quality in rural practice by facilitating access to personal leave or professional development or breaks from on-call commitments for rural obstetricians and to date, 14 locum placements in rural areas have occurred.

For further information on this Program, please contact Anna Maloney; SOLS Project Manager on (03) 9412 2913 or at amaloney@ranzcog.edu.au.

For a copy of the May 2007 SOLS newsletter, please click here.