There was a facilitated discussion in which the students identified the need for more funding and scholarships for allied health students, an increased need for an interdisciplinary approach to healthcare and health education, increased funding for rural placements for all health students, a continuing review of the BMP scheme and the need to work with universities, not against them, in order to address placement and curriculum issues which may arise.
By Sandra Zammit
Fourteen delegates from Rustica attended the 10th National Universities Rural Health Conference (NURHC) in Launceston from 3-5 April 2008. The theme was “Rural Health Heartbeat-empowering students of today to become the workforce of tomorrow”. Three hundred delegates from the twenty-four Rural Health Clubs (RHCs) of the National Rural Health Network (NRHN) attended NURHC 08. Co-conveners of NURHC were our own Matt Cane, Matthew VanZetten and Andrew Tierney. The MC of the conference was Julie McCrossin.
Presenters at NURHC included:
Student presentations at NURHC included:
Skills sessions at NURHC included:
TelenaEastley, Med 4, was a runner-up in the Janie Dade Smith Award for her contribution to rural, remote and Indigenous health. Ken Noda, Med 5, won the photo competition. Marion Davies, Med 6, was awarded the Inaugural Rural Health Workforce Australia and National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Award recognizing Outstanding Contribution to Indigenous Communities. Congratulations Telena, Ken and Marion!
Social program was packed with Speed Meeting, It’s a Knockout Gladiator Games, Golden Windmills Talent Competition and a Gala Dinner at Clarendon House. Congratulations and thank you to Matt VZ, Matt Cane and Andrew Tierney for organizing a fabulous conference. Be sure to apply to attend the 2009 NURHC when applications are called for later in the year.
By Marion Davies