Internally, RWAV departments are developing in leaps and bounds. It is worth acknowledging that our new case management approach is bearing fruit! The good news is that 15 GPs are looking forward to working in rural Victoria in the coming months.

The Workforce Support team has clocked up many kilometres travelling throughout the state conducting 1389 GP support visits and making more than 2200 contacts to practices and other organisations in the last few months.

Policy and Research has been breaking new ground with the recently developed Aboriginal health training and has commenced rolling out the first in a series of Sustainable Practice workshops to strengthen Victorian communities.

In the final e-Blast for 2008, I would like to commend RWAV staff and our stakeholders for the continued momentum. It is encouraging to see us working together for a healthier Victoria even in an ever changing environment.

May I wish you, your family and friends a joyful festive season and please stay safe through the New Year.

Best wishes,

Last month, Claire Austin participated in the Rural Press Club of Victoria health debate, where she urged health professionals to put community needs first.

Demonstrating RWAV´s commitment to communities through primary health care, Claire expressed the importance of focusing on the patient rather then the service.

Claire suggested that, "In order to make progress, communities´ needs should be placed in the centre, and then the sorts of services needed should be looked at accordingly".

The panel comprised Greg Sassella, CEO Ambulance Victoria and Dr Chris Brook from the Department of Human Services.

All panelists exchanged their views addressing issues with the level of service, quality of care and skills in the rural health care system.

The debate was able to give communities a more confident outlook on the gap between regional and urban Victoria.  Overall the event was well attended by media and community groups throughout Victoria and the floor was open to guests for subsequent questions.

Strongly attended by peak health bodies and major influencers, guests included Australian General Practice Network chief executive officer David Butt, General Practice Victoria CEO Bill Newton, and health reporters from a number of high profile media outlets including The Age, Geelong Advertiser, Ballarat Courier, Rural Doctor and The Weekly Times.

specialist assistance sessions to the State´s rural and regional communities.
The program´s aim, to increase medical specialist services access for  regional, rural and remote communities, as well as maintaining skills of the doctors, is in high demand.

The popular program resulted in over 65,000 patient consultations in the last year alone. Recently, the Department of Heath & Ageing funded RWAV to deliver a similar service, Paediatric Surgical Outreach Program (PSOP), focusing on complex paediatric cases for Victoria and New South Wales communities.

Not dissimilar to MSOAP, the new paediatric program rolled out this July and will benefit communities and assist doctors in caring for children in areas including Echuca, Shepparton, Griffith, Wagga Wagga, Wangaratta, Maitland, Armidale, Taree, Port Macquarie and Tamworth.

Jenni Baker, one of RWAV´s program coordinators welcomes the new Outreach service.

"This program brokers new and additional health services for regional communities.

"It is encouraging to have the opportunity to deliver health services to communities based on need and extension of geographical boundaries".

The program, developed in conjunction with Victorian Aboriginal Community Control Organisation helps enhance doctor/patient outcomes through a greater understanding by GPs of how to treat Indigenous patients.

In 2009, four Aboriginal Awareness workshops will be delivered.

The ink drying on the Service Agreements will improve understanding between RWAV and the divisions around each organisation´s services, highlight each organisation´s duties and responsibilities, improve communications and strengthen relationships through clearly defined roles.

In doing so, we are committing to providing many services including the attraction, recruitment and retention of General Practitioners through a range of specific programs for a healthier rural Victoria.

Based on the topic "Marketing your ACCHS" RWAV discussed tips to improve the brand, image and profile of the organisations. The members were enthusiastically engaged and were grateful for the information we shared, and for RWAV´s involvement with this important community.