Made with FlowPaper - Flipbook Maker
ANNUAL REPORT 2018 – 2019 Supporting rural health in New South Wales, Australia YEARSAbout this Report This report is for the period 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 and is the 31st full year Annual Report for NSW Rural Doctors Network and its predecessor organisation. Financial data has been audited by Cutcher and Neale, Chartered Accounts, Newcastle NSW 2300. This report is available to download from RDN’s website at www.nswrdn.com.au To obtain printed copies or for further information please contact NSW Rural Doctors Network on 02 4924 8000 or email communications@nswrdn.com.au ABN 52 081 388 810 Published by NSW Rural Doctors Network (2019) ISSN 1441-1830 (print) ISSN 2202-2657 (online) Contents Chair's message 2 Chief Executive Officer's message 3 NSW Rural Doctors Network 4 Organisation structure 5 Vision, purpose and values 6 Board and Executive 8 Workforce snapshot 10 Celebrating 30 years 12 Highlights 2018 –19 24 Financial statements and statutory reports 2018 –19 71 Abbreviations 86 Index 88 1nsw rural doctors network annual report 2018 – 19 2 The past 12 months has seen the Board, expertly assisted by the staff of NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) and guided by the input of an extensive stakeholder consultation process, compile, refine and approve RDN’s ninth strategic plan, for the period 2019-22. The goals and objectives contained in this document will provide vision and direction for the work of RDN over the coming years. Fundamental to RDN’s commitment to health equity across NSW is our emphasis on the health of First Nations’ peoples and the Aboriginal health workforce. To this end, RDN has engaged a designated Aboriginal Health Workforce Manager to further support the workforce across the state. As we look forward there is no shortage of challenges, with many communities experiencing significant hardship with their medical and allied health workforce. RDN continues to look at strategies to engage with and consolidate the current workforce, while maintaining a strong focus on the workforce of the future. I would like to thank the staff of RDN for their ongoing dedication and professionalism. The executive, led by Richard Colbran, continue to provide inspiration and vision as the environment in which we work continues to evolve. Without this leadership the staff would not be able to excel. My final and most sincere thanks go to the members of the Board. Over the past year they have demonstrated their ongoing support for rural communities with their dedication and hard work. My particular thanks to the Deputy Chair, Dr Ros Bullock. Dr John Curnow Chair Chair’s Message3 Australian Government Department of Health (DoH), NSW Ministry of Health (MoH), local communities, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs), Primary Health Networks (PHNs), Local Health Districts (LHDs), peak bodies, Rural Training Hubs (RTHs), universities and training organisations, non- government and private service providers, local health organisations, and of course the current and future healthcare workforce. This year we also recognised the achievements and contributions of three long-serving RDN staff – Dr Paul Collett, RDN’s first employee and inaugural Medical Director; Mina Zinopoulos; and Margaret Young. While their time working at RDN has ended, they are not lost to the RDN family. We send deep thanks and gratitude to Paul, Mina and Marg. Finally, I would like to thank RDN’s Board and staff for their continued professionalism and commitment to supporting rural health and communities across NSW. Every minute of RDN’s work is focused on responding to, or preventing, health system complications. This unswerving commitment requires diligence, resilience and positivity as we strive to ensure better outcomes for communities and greater capability for rural health professionals. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to RDN’s success. We hope to continue working together to achieve equity in healthcare service access for all Australians. Richard Colbran Chief Executive Officer It is a privilege to present the 2018-19 Annual Report for RDN, incorporating our 30 year anniversary highlights. This report accurately represents RDN’s activities and performance in working to improve health access for people living in remote, rural, regional, Aboriginal and disadvantaged communities in NSW and the ACT. The 30 year milestone has offered an opportunity to reflect on RDN’s significant achievements and contributions. There have been many wonderful chances over the past year to celebrate with those who have delivered so much for our communities since 1988. We hope you enjoy the reflective piece within this report. Reflection also encourages consideration of what is required in the coming era. Throughout the past year, we undertook extensive stakeholder consultations for RDN’s 2019-22 Strategic Plan to set a contemporary course of action. There is much to be done. Disparities and inequities of health outcomes, health service access and health workforce maldistribution continue, if not worsen. This does not mean RDN’s work has been in vain. Today’s needs are symbolic of the health system’s complexity and the importance of context in the development of health system solutions. RDN is well placed to ensure its continued success and contribution to the health and wellbeing of people living in rural communities. The 2019-22 Strategic Plan has solidified our guiding focus on the rural health workforce of NSW. We will continue to resource efforts to enable the health, wellbeing and capability of rural health professionals; support community-driven and evidence-based health workforce solutions; and represent the needs and achievements of the state’s rural health sector. Our efforts will not be successful without the continued support and encouragement of our partner organisations including the Chief Executive Officer’s Messagensw rural doctors network annual report 2018 – 19 4 nsw rural doctors network 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, regional, Aboriginal 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 multidimensional 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.5 ORGANISATION STRUCTURE RDN’s organisation structure is aligned to its key corporate functions and program areas, with five service pillars. INFORMATION AND TRANSLATION EDUCATION AND TRAINING RDN SERVICE PILLARS HEALTH WORKFORCE Data services Knowledge translation Business intelligence Application development ICT administration Conferences and events Scholarships Future workforce Attraction, retention, planning and assessment Recruitment and workforce development Town-based planning and community engagement OUTREACH SERVICES Specialised and multidisciplinary health services Health practitioner upskilling Service planning and coordination Rural and Aboriginal health Chronic disease Eye health Hearing health STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT Stakeholder engagement Strategic communications Public relations Professional networknsw rural doctors network annual report 2018 – 19 6 Our vision, purpose and values7 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. 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.Next >