Media Releases

Release Date: 01 February 2018

Changes to the availability of codeine containing medicines come into effect today (1 February 2018).

President of the Rural Doctors Association Australia (RDAA), Dr Adam Coltzau, said that while the up-scheduling of codeine has been well publicised, some patients will remain surprised when they can no longer buy their preferred pain medication over the counter.

“I have no doubt...

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Release Date: 24 January 2018

With over-the-counter codeine medicines becoming unavailable from next month, the National Rural Health Alliance is encouraging people living in rural and remote Australia to act in advance if the change is likely to affect them.

From 1 February 2018 medicines containing codeine will only be available by prescription. The move was unanimously agreed to by the Therapeutic Goods...

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Release Date: 17 January 2018

From 1 February 2018 medicines containing codeine will no longer be available without a prescription. To prepare for the change, the National Rural Health Alliance – Australia’s peak non-government organisation for rural and remote health – is developing specialised information for people living in rural and remote areas to ensure that they are aware of the change and how it may affect them....

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Release Date: 21 December 2017

The National Rural Health Alliance – Australia’s peak non-government organisation for rural and remote health – welcomes Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie as Minister for Sport, Rural Health and Regional Communications.

Speaking on behalf of the Alliance’s 34 Member Bodies, Chief Executive Officer Mark Diamond offered his congratulations on the appointment:

“Senator McKenzie is...

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Release Date: 18 December 2017

The Board of the National Rural Health Alliance – Australia’s peak non-government organisation for rural and remote health – is pleased to confirm the appointment of Mark Diamond to the position of Chief Executive Officer.

Mark has extensive experience in the planning, development and delivery of health, community and aged care services in regional, rural and remote settings in four...

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Release Date: 07 December 2017

The National Rural Health Alliance – Australia’s peak non-government organisation for rural and remote health – welcomes today’s release of the Pillars of Communities report from the Regional Australia Institute.

The report tracks the number of service delivery professionals in small towns across Australia over a 30 year period. It shows that access rates to doctors, nurses and...

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Release Date: 06 December 2017

Today’s release of a new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare on private health insurance use in Australian hospitals, highlights the lack of choice faced by privately insured individuals living in rural and remote areas of Australia.

The data shows that the proportion of private health insurance funded admissions to public hospitals increases significantly in...

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Release Date: 01 December 2017

Higher rates of socio-economic disadvantage compounded by a lack of access to health services is creating a perfect storm for the seven million people living in rural and...

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Release Date: 28 November 2017

The National Rural Health Alliance is pleased to announce that registrations are now open for Outback Infront, the 6th Rural and Remote Health Scientific Symposium which will take place in Canberra on 11-12 April 2018.

The Symposium marks 20 years of Australian rural and remote health research that focusses on access and equity, addressing health issues and building the workforce. It...

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Release Date: 06 November 2017

The introduction of a new Medicare rebate will improve access to telehealth psychological services for people living in rural and remote areas of Australia.

The new rebate, which commenced on 1 November, means that people living in remote and rural areas of Australia can claim a Medicare rebate for up to seven videoconferencing consultations with psychologists and other mental health...

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