Parliamentary Friends of Rural and Regional Health
Canberra – Ngambri and Ngunnawal Country
NRHSN was recently invited to attend the National Rural Health Alliance’s Parliamentary Friends of Rural and Regional Health event at Parliament House.
Cameron Powers (Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine Officer) and myself (Vice Chair Operations) attended Canberra for the day just to join the round table, where we heard from innovators in the rural health space. The event itself was attended and chaired by several federal politicians (including my own local MP), people that work behind the scenes on policy, and most importantly by rural health workers and stakeholders from across Australia. We were some of the only students in the room, and it was nice to have our perspectives heard and do some networking, in particular with the Australian Nursing Midwifery Federation and RANZCP.
A highlight was chatting to the incoming National Rural Health Commissioner, Prof Jenny May AM, about how we can continue to work together. She is already a big fan of our work, especially that of some of our UoN student leaders!
We also loved hearing from rural health organisation trailblazers from Royal Far West, Malpa, Angel Flight and Rural Aid. These panellists gave us some insight into how they founded their organisations to match a need, and talked about the exciting future for rural health invention and innovation, even if it’s born out of necessity.
We’re grateful to the NRHA for inviting us and hope to continue the conversations around improving rural health access and outcomes, but in particular continue improving rural placements and opportunities for our students, and encouraging future health students!
Heidi Annand, Cameron Powers
NRHSN