The latest issue of the Australian Journal of Rural Health: Volume 32, Issue 5 is out now. The issue carries systematic reviews, narrative reviews, original research, practice insights, commentary, Letters to the Editor and a short report.
The From the Alliance piece, ‘Real change for primary care is likely to be dependent on the next National Health Reform Agreement’, is written by the Alliance’s Director, Policy and Strategy Development Margaret Deerain. It calls for a National Rural Health Strategy that must support fairness, dignity, equality and respect for rural Australia, as a basic human right.
The issue also includes a scoping review about support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living with a disability in rural and remote areas. In terms of barriers, it found many gaps which impact the quality, cultural responsiveness and timeliness of supports for families. However, the review also looked for examples of best practice. It concluded that a family-centred, flexible and holistic approach is what is needed.