Rural Doctors Network - RDN

15/10/2025

Read more about Western Eye Health Partnership on our website: https://www.ruraldoctors.org/site/outreach-programs

15/10/2025

Last week, RDN held its quarterly meeting with the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of New South Wales (AH&MRC of NSW) as part of collaborative efforts to improve medical services in NSW Aboriginal communities.

The AH&MRC is the peak representative body and voice of Aboriginal communities on health in NSW, representing its members, the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS), that deliver culturally appropriate comprehensive primary health care to their communities.

Later this week, AH&MRC, in partnership with RDN, will also hold the Deadly Doctors Forum over two days in Little Bay, NSW. The event will bring together doctors working in NSW ACCHOs to share knowledge, strengthen networks, and celebrate the dedicated work being done by skilled and passionate GPs across the sector.

🔍Further coverage of the event will be in next week’s Monday Message, RDN's weekly masthead news email. Subscribe here: https://loom.ly/DzzJ7pc

14/10/2025

RDN staff took to the sidelines of the Koori Knockout as part of The Western NSW Eye Health Partnership (WEHP) and its aim to increase access to eye health services and, ultimately, reduce the rate of avoidable vision loss in Aboriginal communities across Western NSW.

Dating back to 1971 and offering a powerful expression of Aboriginal identity, pride, kinship and resilience, the Knockout was this year hosted by Walgett Aboriginal Connection in , Gomeroi Country and has grown to become one of the biggest Indigenous gatherings in Australia.

As part of the event, the WEHP welcomed Knockout participants to talk about the importance of and captured more than 60 detailed images of the inside of attendees' eyes using a portable retinal camera. As a result, it was determined that 16 individuals will need further follow-up and assessments and were given referrals to optometrists.

Health Access Services Manager, Amanda Masset, represented RDN and said “This impactful event was made possible through the dedicated collaboration of the Western NSW Eye Health Partnership, Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service, Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service, Walhallow Aboriginal Corporation, Paul Harvey Optometry, and the Brien Holden Foundation.”

Read more and view the photo gallery at RDN: https://loom.ly/K-N5Rzw

10/10/2025

Are you a Practice Manager, Admin Staff, or Medical Practice Assistant working in rural or remote NSW? This is your opportunity to boost your business management skills. Learn more and apply now 👉 https://loom.ly/Qi5srF4.

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the Practice Sustainability Grant aims to improve the viability and sustainability of rural private primary healthcare practices by supporting non-clinical staff to upskill in business management.

If you are thinking about attending the Rural Practice Managers Conference as part of Rural Health Pro's , you might be eligible for financial support via the Practice Sustainability Grant.

The Practice Sustainability Grant is:

✔️Open to staff in MMM 3–7 working in private primary healthcare practices in NSW
✔️Available for Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) and ACCHOs in MM 1–7 locations
✔️Designed to strengthen the long-term viability of rural practices.

Apply now!

10/10/2025

If you’re a with an interest in rural medicine, then register now for this year’s Medical Student Rural Inspiration Conference on Saturday 29 November at Hilton, Sydney! 🩺👉 https://loom.ly/quIGNmU

Program perks:
✅Hear from keynote speaker Dr Louis Peachey
✅ Join the Clinic to Community: Rural Generalists Leading Local Change panel session, facilitated by Dr Ariah Steel
✅Get hands-on with a simulation session with the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia
✅Chat with doctors and registrars working across a range of specialities in the Chat Corner: Ask Me Anything: Real Talk on Regional Speciality Training Pathways
✅Engage with delegates and sponsors at networking drinks and conference dinner

Did we mention it only costs $50 to attend?

The conference is part of Rural Health Pro's and will be co-located with the Rural GPs Conference. Partners and kids can also join the family program so bring them along and enjoy a weekend away in the city.

The event is proudly co-sponsored by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Co-hosted by RDN and the NSW Regional Training Hub Networks, the Medical Student Rural Inspiration Conference is brought to you by the National Rural Health Student Network, Australian Medical Students' Association - AMSA and the Rural Doctors' Association of NSW.

08/10/2025

Calling all health professionals! 🙏 Are you concerned about the impact of va**ng on adolescents? Join GP and Medical Educator Dr Chris Lee and Jan Orman from Black Dog Institute for a FREE informative webinar designed to empower you with the knowledge and skills to make a positive difference. Register now 👉 https://loom.ly/CvJ7Yzk

Discover:
📢The Reasons Behind Va**ng: Uncover why young people start and continue va**ng.
📢Health Risks: Learn about the physical and mental health risks associated with va**ng.
📢Effective Conversations: Find out how to approach conversations about va**ng with adolescents in a non-judgmental way.
📢Quit Strategies: Get the resources and strategies to help young people quit va**ng.

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08/10/2025

"Rolling hills, canola fields and wild brumbies" was a highlight of the final road trip for Doctor of student at the UOW: University of Wollongong, Australia, William Woolfe.

For Melanie Day, Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honors) student at University of Newcastle, it was the “dusky sunset over majestic mountains encircling Tumut” and “the sweeping coastline travelling south to Batemans Bay and Moruya; picture perfect, offering an enticing blend of work and leisure.”

The 20 intrepid travellers were taken through , , and on the south coast, before journeying up to and over the Snowy Mountains Highway to , , , and , enjoying behind the scenes access to local health services, community life and the unique opportunities available outside metropolitan areas.

Read the full story and view the photo gallery at RDN: https://loom.ly/krbRRMQ

Southern NSW Local Health District

06/10/2025

Indigenous Allied Health Australia, in partnership with National Association of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and RDN, is pleased to announce that applications for the 2026 Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme (PHMSS) are now open!

The scholarship provides access to financial, cultural, mentoring, and other supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying in health, including access to up to $15,000 per annum (full time) for the normal duration of the course.

Apply now 👉 https://loom.ly/j-NpKLM

PHMSS is funded by the Commonwealth through the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

Video: Ms Emily Hunter, PHMSS Recipient and After-Hours Nurse Broome Hospital.

04/10/2025

If you’re a with an interest in rural medicine, then register now for this year’s Medical Student Rural Inspiration Conference on Saturday 29 November at the Hilton Sydney! 👉 https://loom.ly/quIGNmU

This one-of-a-kind event will feature presentations and activities that will inspire, inform and help you expand your network. 🩺👩‍⚕️ You will also have the opportunity to attend networking drinks and a conference dinner which is an invaluable opportunity to engage with delegates and sponsors. Did we mention it only costs $50 to attend?

The conference is part of Rural Health Pro's and will be co-located with the Rural GPs Conference. Partners and kids can also join the family program so bring them along and enjoy a weekend away in the city.

The event is proudly co-sponsored by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and RACGP. Co-hosted by RDN and the NSW Regional Training Hub Networks, the Medical Student Rural Inspiration Conference is brought to you by the National Rural Health Student Network, Australian Medical Students' Association - AMSA and the Rural Doctors' Association of NSW.

02/10/2025

Watch Rural Health Pro's page for news of all finalists for the 2025 National Rural and Remote Health Awards 🎉

Congratulations to our outstanding finalists in the Rural/Remote Aged or Disability Carer of the Year category for the 2025 National Rural and Remote Health Awards 🎉

🌟Aged Care Evaluation Unit – Southern NSW Local Health District, NSW
🌟Meg's Care Team - Meg's Care Team, VIC
🌟TCASS - Team Anthony - Territory Care and Support Services, NT

Thank you to Cerebral Palsy Alliance for their generous support in sponsoring this award category.

Best of luck to all of the finalists and we look forward to seeing you at our awards ceremony on 5 November at the National Press Club of Australia 🏆 Tickets available now: https://loom.ly/Fax7YLM

Rural Doctors Network - RDN

02/10/2025

This free webinar is designed for health professionals looking to tackle the rising concerns of va**ng among young people. Register today for the 12.30pm or 6pm session 👉 https://loom.ly/CvJ7Yzk

Are you a health professional concerned about the impact of va**ng on adolescents? 👉 Join Dr Chris Lee, General Practitioner and Medical Educator, and facilitator Jan Orman from Black Dog Institute, for an informative webinar on tackling the rising concerns of va**ng among young people.

This free webinar is designed for health professionals looking to make a positive impact. Register today for the 12.30pm or 6pm session on 15 October: https://loom.ly/CvJ7Yzk

What you'll learn:
💡The Reasons Behind Va**ng: Understand why young people start and continue va**ng
💡Health Risks: Recognise the physical and mental health risks associated with va**ng
💡Effective Conversations: Learn how to approach conversations about va**ng with adolescents in a non-judgmental way
💡Quit Strategies: Discover resources and strategies to help young people quit va**ng

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01/10/2025

Applications are OPEN for Round 2 2025/2026 of the Health Workforce Scholarship Program (HWSP). 📣🩺

An initiative of the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, and administered in New South Wales by RDN, HWSP provides scholarships and bursaries to help health professionals in rural and remote Australia retain and enhance their skills, capacity and scope of practice.

The HWSP is available to , , , , and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals providing primary health care in the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) sector, non-government organisations and private practice.

Learn more and apply 👉 https://loom.ly/6xVbhZ0