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Announcing the Remote Health Workforce Safety Training Project at today’s CRANAplus annual conference in Broome, Assistant Minister for Health, Dr David Gillespie, said that the safety and security of the remote health workforce was an ongoing priority.

“In 2016, in response to the murder of Remote Area Nurse Gayle Woodford, in the APY Lands, the Coalition Government provided additional funds of $240,000 to CRANAplus – the professional body for remote, isolated health – for resources to help address risks and protect safety and security,” Dr Gillespie said.

“We are building on this with a further $254,000 for CRANAplus to develop specifically-tailored training to help remote area health professionals identify and respond to potential or actual episodes of aggression.”

“The remote health workforce is a small but essential part of Australia’s health system, delivering world-class frontline care to the 2.3 per cent of the population who live in remote or very remote areas,” Dr Gillespie said.

“Our nurses, midwives, doctors, dentists and allied health professionals provide care for sparse populations over vast distances, with isolation, poor infrastructure, and difficult climates the norm.

“As Assistant Minister for Health and a doctor I want to support our remote health workforce so they can safely perform their challenging roles.”

This brings the Coalition Government’s total investment to $12.6 million over the three years to 2018 to enable CRANAplus to deliver training and professional support to health professionals working in remote areas.

This support includes the critical Bush Services Support Line which provides a free, confidential telephone support service for remote health professionals and their families.

“The health outcomes of people living in rural, regional and remote locations depend on health professionals working in these areas,” Dr Gillespie said.

“Our remote health workforce is key to the Federal Coalition Government’s commitment to make sure that all Australians have access to quality health care, where and when they need it.”