New Parliamentary group will highlight rural allied health gaps

The Federal Budget’s unfair impact on rural health will be among topics discussed today at a meeting of
a new Parliamentary Friends group to raise awareness of the neglect of allied health services in the bush.

Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH) today welcomed the new group, which
comprises members from both houses of parliament, representing all sides of politics, to help improve
allied health provision across Australia. The group, chaired by Independent Member for Denison Andrew
Wilkie and Liberal Member for Boothby Dr Andrew Southcott, is known as the Parliamentary Friendship
Group for Rural and Remote Allied Health.

SARRAH CEO Rod Wellington addressed the group today, raising key issues to emerge from the recent
Federal Budget, especially the ongoing workforce shortages that deny rural Australians access to
healthcare taken for granted in the cities.

He thanked Mr Wilkie for convening the group by inviting his parliamentary colleagues to join and attend
regular meetings. The group will act as a forum for research, briefings and information affecting the
sector and support the health professionals who provide clinical and educational services in rural and
remote locations across including audiology, dietetics, exercise physiology, occupational therapy,
optometry, oral health, pharmacy, physiotherapy, podiatry, psychology, social work and speech
pathology.

Mr Wellington congratulated all group members for volunteering to give their time to a cause that has
for so long lacked political focus.

“We are pleased that all major parties and some independents have taken the time to meet and consider
ideas on ways to improve allied health services outside the big cities,” Mr Wellington said.

“A commitment from all sides of politics is required for rural health policies and programs that will

enable Australia to grow our allied health workforce and finally get some equity into the provision of health services to all Australians, regardless of where they live.

“We will share our resources with group members, including the opportunity to talk directly to our members who work at the coalface of delivering health services to rural and remote patients.”

SARRAH is a health charity that believes all Australians deserve fair access to health services. We exist so that rural and remote Australians can receive more support to build healthy communities that are equitable and sustainable.

Allied health professions include: audiology, chiropractics, oral health, dietetics and nutrition, diabetes education, exercise physiology, genetic counselling, health promotion, medical radiation science, occupational therapy, optometry, oral health, osteopathy, paramedic practice, physiotherapy, podiatry, prosthetics and orthotics, psychology, social work, speech pathology, sonography.
Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health