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NSW RURAL DOCTORS NETWORK strategic plan 2019-22 Supporting rural health in New South WalesNSW Rural Doctors Network respectfully acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we learn and work together, and commits to building collaborative relationships, respect and opportunities with Aboriginal Peoples to achieve their aspirations.Strategic Plan 2019-22 I NSW Rural Doctors Network I 1 NSW Rural Doctors Network’s (RDN) 2019-22 Strategic Plan – the organisation’s ninth – was cultivated during RDN’s 30th anniversary celebrations over 2018-19. The anniversary was a significant milestone and an opportunity to reflect on RDN’s achievements in working collaboratively and recognising the different approaches needed to address workforce challenges in remote, rural and regional communities. It also allowed time to consider what is required in the coming era to ensure RDN’s continued success and contribution to the health and wellbeing of people living in rural and disadvantaged * communities in Australia. The Strategic Plan is testament to the organisation’s skills and expertise built over 30 years. It recognises that RDN’s success relies on its relationships with, and ability to support, stakeholders at all levels of government, local communities, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, Primary Health Networks, Local Health Districts, peak bodies, Rural Training Hubs, universities and training organisations, non-government and private service providers, local health organisations, and of course the current and future healthcare workforce. To that end, the Plan has been carefully developed through extensive consultation. We extend our gratitude to the Australian Government for its confidence in RDN as NSW’s designated Rural Workforce Agency for health. We also thank the NSW Ministry of Health for its longstanding and ongoing commitment to RDN. Over the past decades, RDN has also been well supported by Rural Doctors Association (NSW), Australian Medical Association (NSW), Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and the Country Women’s Association of NSW. Our collective endeavours have encouraged many young doctors and other primary health professionals to commit to working in rural communities. Finally, the Plan reaffirms RDN’s commitment to the rural health workforce and sets the direction for RDN to achieve a stronger rural health workforce capable of meeting the needs of an ever-changing, complex and challenging healthcare environment. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this Plan and RDN’s success. We hope you will continue to work together to achieve equity in health care service access for all Australians. *RDN applies the term ‘disadvantaged’ to groups of people who, due to factors usually considered outside their control, do not have the same opportunities as other, more fortunate groups in society (WHO, 1998). Poverty, deprivation, capabilities and social exclusion are different lenses to view and measure disadvantage. People who are more likely to experience deep and persistent disadvantage include: lone parents; Indigenous Australians; people with a long-term health condition or disability; people living in rural communities and people with low educational attainment (McLachlan, R., Gilfillan, G. and Gordon, J. 2013). foreword Dr John Curnow Chair Richard Colbran Chief Executive Officer2 I NSW Rural Doctors Network I Strategic Plan 2019-22 RDN’s Aboriginal Engagement Plan RDN’s Aboriginal Engagement Plan (AEP) was initiated in August 2017 to reinforce RDN’s commitment to reconciliation and support improved access to quality primary healthcare services for Aboriginal people. The AEP builds on RDN’s longstanding commitments and relationships including the longstanding Memorandum of Understanding with the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of New South Wales (AH&MRC of NSW), embedded cultural awareness and safety training for staff, and collaboration work plans with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services. To celebrate and reaffirm RDN’s commitment, former Chair Dr Ros Bullock spoke to health equity and equality for Aboriginal people at the 2017 NSW Rural GPs Conference. We also engaged Aboriginal artist Saretta Fielding to create an artwork to represent RDN’s engagement with Aboriginal people, communities and services. The artwork Malang Nguyran – Together Us All celebrates going forward together and signifies the sharing of cultures, capturing the beauty, diversity and connections of Aboriginal peoples and valuable partnerships across the community, reflecting RDN’s aspiration for ongoing cooperative and collaborative relationships with all Aboriginal communities across NSW. Saretta’s beautiful artwork now hangs proudly in RDN’s Newcastle office and a digital representation has been created to reflect the theme of Malang Nguyran – Together Us All for use in RDN’s corporate collateral. The artwork Malang Nguyran – Together Us All Saretta FieldingIt is important to re-emphasise and reaffirm our continuing commitment to supporting health equity for Aboriginal people in NSW. In doing so we recognise and acknowledge the policies and practices of the last 200 years that have led to this inequity and had an indelible impact on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people. Speaking from the heart of a rural doctor, we value all Aboriginal people in our communities – your culture and stories, your knowledge of the land and its working. You have given us so much already, and we as a nation haven’t always listened or appreciated it. The RDN Board, CEO and staff would like to reaffirm our commitment through continuing strong and productive partnerships with communities, health providers and the health organisations that serve them. Dr Ros Bullock (2017 NSW Rural GPs Conference) Central West, NSW4 I NSW Rural Doctors Network I Strategic Plan 2019-22 about rdn RDN is a not-for-profit, non-government charitable organisation and is the Australian Government’s designated Rural Workforce Agency for health in NSW. Our vision is for improved health service access for all Australians – no matter where they live. We seek to support better health and wellbeing for people living in remote, rural and regional and disadvantaged communities, particularly those in NSW and the ACT. To achieve this vision, we seek to grow and strengthen a capable primary health workforce, support communities in tailored health workforce solutions, support the capacity of health service organisations, contribute to policy and ensure RDN’s continued effectiveness. RDN began in 1988 as an organisation supporting the recruitment and retention of rural general practitioners (GPs). The organisation has evolved in response to the changing health landscape and there is now a greater need for solutions that support the broader multidisciplinary rural health workforce including GPs, rural resident and non-resident medical specialists, allied health practitioners, nurses, midwives, Aboriginal Health Practitioners and professionals, practice managers, carers and health administrators. RDN also works closely with paramedics, pharmacists, oral health professionals and professionals working in other human services such as schools, aged care, disability and community services. As a multi-dimensional and solution-oriented organisation, our work adapts and responds to contemporary issues and needs using evidence-informed approaches. We are acutely aware of the direct and indirect impacts of Federal and State policy, changing population distribution, climate change, digital technologies, business governance and legislative requirements, health workforce demographics and life-balance expectations. Today, RDN’s service streams navigate these and related issues to develop and provide workforce and practice support; sustainable practice business models; health outreach services; grants and scholarship initiatives; education and training; future workforce programs; health policy and industry network coordination; and health workforce data and evidence translation.Strategic Plan 2019-22 I NSW Rural Doctors Network I 5 RDN’s way of working RDN works within a strong ethical framework developed over many years. We operate in a values-based and cooperative learning environment underpinned by a set of core beliefs that motivate and inspire us. We have responsibility for translating into action Federal and State policy and health system processes to deliver the best outcomes for local communities and people, so appropriate and affordable health care is available and accessible. This can only be done by ensuring that programs respond to local need and evidence is generated and utilised to inform and improve our practices. We also hold an unwavering commitment to use funds received with care and integrity to meet the needs of rural communities. RDN’S BELIEFS • We believe that the health and wellbeing of remote and rural communities is fundamental to Australia’s prosperity and long-term future. • We believe the pursuit of equity in health care access is a fundamental human right and building block to achieving better health in rural and vulnerable communities. • We believe in Aboriginal self-determination, acknowledging the ongoing impact of colonisation on Aboriginal people, and the importance of health service provision in culturally safe environments. • We believe in capability and that primary health professionals are at their most capable when they are supported to positively respond and contribute to life in rural communities. RDN’S VALUES We use our organisational values to guide our decision-making, actions and workplace behaviours. • Accountability – We commit to being responsible for our actions. • Adaptability – We are agile and responsive to changing needs to create solutions and make a positive difference for our stakeholders. • Collaboration – We share and contribute to collective processes to create more effective practice and achieve specific goals and outcomes. • Excellence – We strive to achieve and maintain high quality standards in our relationships and services. • Integrity – We live and work by a set of ethical standards and behaviours.We believe that the health and wellbeing of remote and rural communities is fundamental to Australia’s prosperity and long-term future. Canola crop fields, Central West, NSW 6 I NSW Rural Doctors Network I Strategic Plan 2019-22 VISION Healthier Australians – no matter where they live. PURPOSE To improve health access for people living in remote, rural, regional, Aboriginal and disadvantaged communities in NSW and the ACT. GOALS Goal 1 Build and sustain a health workforce capable of delivering quality and safe care in remote, rural, regional, Aboriginal and disadvantaged communities. Goal 2 Respond to the individual health workforce needs of communities. Goal 3 Contribute to effective rural health policy and evidence- based service delivery methodology. Goal 4 Continue the pursuit of organisational excellence. NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) receives program funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and the NSW Ministry of Health. Local governments, community and health sector organisations also contribute funding for RDN activities. Strategic Plan 2019-22 I NSW Rural Doctors Network I 7Next >