Rural Member Network

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With approximately 25 per cent of the APA membership living outside urban areas, the APA recognises the need to provide equitable services to these members. The APA continues to demonstrate a strong commitment and support for rural and remote members, and continues its role in advocating for equitable access to physiotherapy services for consumers.

To meet the challenge of service provision to rural and remote members, the APA convened a working party to develop a model to address some of the inequities experienced by members. The premise for this new model recognises that although it is impossible to provide the same services equitably to all members, the APA endorses a policy to provide services ‘delivered in different ways’ as a way of providing equity to rural and remote members. Special services for rural and remote members include:

A 1300 phone number for the exclusive use of rural and remote members.
A quarterly Rural e-News publication. (Clinical articles for the Rural e-News, provided free by National Special Groups.)
Access to over 1000 online journals via the APA website, subscribed to for the benefit of rural and remote members.
Access to professional development courses at special rates, with places held for rural and remote members.
Professional development programs developed for rural and remote members using distance education models including video link-ups, satellite broadcasts, and video recording lending libraries in each branch.
Free membership of rural groups—rural and remote members are automatically designated by postcode to their Regional Group (RG).
Annual budget allocation by branches for RG activities.
Annual visits to RGs by branch council representatives or rural representatives.
Regular communication via email or teleconferences with RG representatives.
A rural representative or portfolio holder on each state branch council.
Specific rural and remote representation on the National Advisory Council.
Representation on the APA Board via the National Rural Issues Committee, which is a Standing Committee reporting directly to the BOD on rural and remote issues.

The APA remains committed to providing appropriate services to its rural and remote members, and lobbies strongly on their behalf on issues of particular concern such as workforce shortages, recruitment and retention, incentives for rural health professionals, and the urgent need to improve health services for Indigenous Australians.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 23 September 2008 00:09 )