Media Releases

Release Date: 25 January 2021

With the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine formally approved for use in Australia today, the National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) is urging Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt to ensure that vulnerable people in rural, regional and remote Australia are prioritised for vaccination.

Alliance CEO Gabrielle O’Kane says, “People in rural, regional and remote communities experience...

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Release Date: 03 December 2020

The diversity of health professionals working across the rural sector is reflected in the new Board of the National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance), elected at the 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Canberra this week.

The Alliance of 44 national rural and health-related organisations advocates for sustainable and affordable health services for the 7 million people in rural and...

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Release Date: 07 October 2020

The peak body for rural health in Australia today welcomed the increased investment in health in the 2020-21 federal budget, but warned there was more to be done to ensure that people in rural, regional and remote Australia have the same health outcomes as their city counterparts.

“We’re pleased to see a number of targeted measures to improve rural health as part of the Stronger Rural...

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Release Date: 18 September 2020

The National Rural Health Alliance, the peak body for rural health in Australia, welcomed the Australian Government’s expansion of Medicare rebates for telehealth consultations until 31 March 2021.

The Medicare rebates, which were brought in to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, were due to expire on 30 September.

“Telehealth has been an important lifeline for people in rural,...

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Release Date: 03 September 2020

The future of telehealth is in the spotlight in the latest issue of the Australian Journal of Rural Health.

A piece by National Rural Health Alliance CEO Dr Gabrielle O’Kane highlights how the rapid rollout of telehealth during COVID-19 has helped rural, regional and remote health care workers and consumers, but warns...

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Release Date: 20 July 2020

The National Rural Health Alliance, the peak body for rural health in Australia, is pleased to announce that the 2020 Friends #loverural Photo and Poetry Competition is now open!

Run in conjunction with Friends of the Alliance, a grassroots network of people and organisations interested in improving the health and...

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Release Date: 17 July 2020

The National Rural Health Alliance, the peak body for rural health in Australia, released a position statement today calling for greater economic support for rural communities affected by COVID-19.

The statement has four key asks – (i) the rate of the JobSeeker Payment to remain the same until the economy and job market recover; (ii) action to address critical shortages of health...

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Release Date: 10 July 2020

The National Rural Health Alliance, the peak body for rural health in Australia, acknowledged the original dates for NAIDOC Week, which was to run from 5-12 July 2020 but has been postponed due to COVID-19.

“We support the decision to postpone NAIDOC Week because it’s the right thing to do to try and stop the spread of COVID-19,” said CEO Dr Gabrielle O’Kane.

“This week though...

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Release Date: 09 July 2020

The National Rural Health Alliance, the peak body for rural health in Australia, said that the appointment of Dr Anne-marie Boxall as the Australian Government’s new Chief Allied Health Officer was good news for rural Australia.

“Dr Boxall is well-regarded across the sector and has an excellent understanding of rural, regional and remote health, including having worked as a senior...

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Release Date: 03 July 2020

The National Rural Health Alliance, the peak body for rural health in Australia, welcomed the appointment of Associate Professor Ruth Stewart as the new National Rural Health Commissioner.

“Associate Professor Stewart is an excellent choice as she has a long and distinguished career advocating for better health outcomes for people in rural, regional and remote Australia”, said National...

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