First rural and remote health symposium to be hosted in Alice Springs

Charles Darwin University (CDU) will host the first NT rural and remote health symposium in Alice Springs, Better Health Futures: Building a rural and remote health workforce in the Territory.

The one-day Symposium, which will be held on Friday, April 8 at CDU’s Alice Springs campus, will bring together health experts, local leaders and medical experts in the Northern Territory to share their knowledge, experience to educate and influence policy in matters of remote health.

The Symposium, hosted by the College of Health and Human Sciences, will highlight the difficulties and potential solutions to building an effective rural and remote workforce for the Territory.  It is convened in partnership with AMSANT, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Congress), Menzies School of Health Research and NT Health.

Charles Darwin University (CDU) Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman said the Symposium will bring together the Territory’s rural and remote health workforce experts to share their collective expertise.

“The Symposium will set out the challenges faced by the rural and remote health workforce in the Territory,” Professor Bowman said.

“The ideas discussed will provide decision makers in the Territory with potential solutions and consider where the responsibilities lie in achieving better health futures for Territorians.”

Northern Territory Health Minister Natasha Fyles said the outcomes from the Symposium would contribute to improved health practices and patient care across the Territory.

“This is an excellent opportunity for people across all fields of health to come together in the Red Centre to share their expertise and create better outcomes for Territorians in rural and remote areas,” Minister Fyles said. 

Menzies Remote and Rural Health Services Research Professor John Wakerman will speak at the Symposium about what evidence says is the solution to developing an effective remote health workforce.

“CDU and Menzies are leading on the front foot as a part of the health workforce Symposium to discuss the difficulties the remote and rural health workforce faces,” Professor Wakerman said.

“By using the available evidence, we can map the pathways for stabilising the workforce and ensure committed staff are well-prepared and well supported in the vital work they do in remote NT.”

Aboriginal Medical Services Alliances Northern Territory (AMSANT) CEO John Paterson said the CDU Menzies School of Medicine presented a unique opportunity to foster the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals.

“I am greatly encouraged by the commitment of the School of Medicine in seeking to attract Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into medicine and into the diverse health professions of a modern, multi-disciplinary health service,” Mr Paterson said.

Key speakers at the symposium include:

• Dr Paul Burgess, Acting Chief Clinical Information Officer, Acting Director Population and Digital Health, Sector and System Leadership, NT Health
• Professor John Wakerman, Professor of Remote and Rural Health, Menzies School of Health Research
• Dr Sam Goodwin, Executive Director of Medical and Clinical Services, Alice Springs Hospital and Central Australia Health Service
• Professor Ruth Stewart, National Rural Health Commissioner
• Nicole O’Reilly, Chair, National Rural Health Alliance
• Professor Dianne Stephens OAM, Foundation Dean, CDU Menzies School of Medicine
• Paul Connolly, Executive Manager – Workforce and Outreach NT Primary Health Network
• Dr Sarah Chalmers, President, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
• Paul Connolly, Executive Manager – Workforce and Outreach NT Primary Health Network
• Professor Ruth Stewart, National Rural Health Commissioner
• Ms Donna Ah Chee, CEO, Central Australia Aboriginal Congress
• Kylie Stothers, Director Workforce Development and Paul Gibson, Director, Policy and Research, Indigenous Allied Health Australia, (IAHA)

A panel discussion will be held that will discuss innovative solutions with panel members from various organisations in the health and medical space including Menzies School of Health Research, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the NT (AMSANT), Indigenous Allied Health Australia, the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association and others.

The Symposium outcomes will inform the development of the CDU Menzies School of Medicine and the strategic plan of the College of Health and Human Sciences and the Menzies School of Health Research.