The 33 national organisations in the Alliance work collaboratively to improve the health and wellbeing of people in rural Australia.  Currently they face an annual health care deficit of at least $2.1 billion, and a range of other inequities. The Alliance’s 2012 Budget Submission provides strong support for new investment in dental services and aged care. The Alliance has also made submissions to Parliament on medical services and on a national approach to the prevention of foetal alcohol syndrome.

The latest edition of Partyline has a nice picture of Bruce Harris on page 27 and a rich mix of articles. If you would like to be included on our mailing list please send your postal address to nrha@ruralhealth.org.au .  For an even closer relationship with the Alliance we invite you to become a member of friends of the Alliance for 2012.

Rural and Regional Health Australia is a new entity in the Department of Health and Ageing.  It should be an effective advocate for whole-of-government action on rural and remote health, including through its relationship with other Departments and advocacy bodies like the Alliance.  See www.ruralhealthaustralia.gov.au

This new agency will also provide access to local health information for people in rural and remote areas through its information website and through 1800 899 538.

Grant applications are now called in Round 3 of the Government’s Rural Health Continuing Education Stream 2 (RHCE2) program.  RHCE2 grants are available for multi-disciplinary professional development for health workers in rural/remote areas. For more information, go to http://rhce.ruralhealth.org.au/