Inaugural meeting: 23 September 2022

Communique

The inaugural meeting of the Regional Health Ministerial Advisory Panel was held virtually on 23 September 2022 and was chaired by Richard Colbran, Chief Executive Officer of NSW Rural Doctors Network.

The Hon. Bronnie Taylor MLC, Minister for Regional Health warmly welcomed the members and congratulated them on their appointment to the panel.

The functions of the Advisory Panel were noted as being to advise the Minister for Regional Health, the Minister for Health and the Secretary, Ministry of Health on the development of policy, care delivery models, and innovative business models and practices and in particular advise on:

• the development and implementation of the NSW Regional Health Plan
• opportunities for clinician and community input in setting direction and policy
• design of innovative workforce and service delivery models to alleviate workloads of skilled medical workforce and strengthen multidisciplinary team approach in care delivery
• identification of barriers and incentives to attract non-rural health workers to regional areas
• options for mixed business models for specialists / allied health providers to attract private practitioners to regional areas
• identification of extent and cause of out-of-pocket expenses and other financial barriers to accessing health care in regional communities and options to address
• strategies to improve access to health and social services, particularly for vulnerable groups.

The first face to face meeting of the advisory panel will be on 5 October 2022.