As the newly appointed CEO of Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH), I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with all our key stakeholders and friends to advance the cause of improving health outcomes for people living in rural and remote communities right across Australia.
Having been in the job for two months now, I am impressed by the extraordinary level of commitment, knowledge and the experience base that exists within the sector. Ensuring rural and remote communities have access to the full range of quality and affordable health care is a significant challenge. But there could not be a goal more worthy of our effort and it is impossible not to be inspired by the collective intellect and dedication being applied by individuals who are already making a difference.
It is equally apparent that the sector’s organisations and individuals need to work together so that wealth of expertise isn’t just collective, but collaborative. Among the stakeholder organisations focused on improving rural and remote health there is much common ground. Whether it be rural generalism, filling in the knowledge gaps with quality research, or innovative and effective models to encourage workforce development and support for professionals working in the field, there is a very solid foundation for working together.
The new direction for SARRAH is slowly taking shape and as it does we find an exciting event on the horizon. Set to take place on 13 – 15 September 2018, the SARRAH National Conference will be held in Darwin for the first time. The theme for our 2018 Conference is ‘Changing landscapes, changing lives’.
Our modern health care landscape is experiencing a massive transformation and its impact is being felt far and wide. This transformation is influenced by a range of factors including access to technology, research developments, workforce demands, contrasting political priorities and the drive for innovative solutions to complex issues.
Communities across rural and remote Australia are also transforming which is creating challenges to the effective delivery of services that have the capacity to improve the quality of life. Through these challenges there are many opportunities for innovation and, with this in mind, SARRAH is inviting potential presenters to submit their abstracts.
SARRAH will be accepting abstracts of 250 words up to 23 April 2018 for presentations to be delivered in a variety of formats including full length presentations, lightning talks, workshops and posters. Potential presenters can find the full list of preferred topics along with terms and conditions on the Conference website at www.sarrahconference.com/presentations.
The Conference cannot thrive without the support of its sponsors. We are currently seeking organisations to support the event which is set to attract between 180 and 250 delegates over four days. Supporting the conference through one of our sponsorship packages will provide you with exposure to a highly skilled professional audience, along with a range of other exciting benefits. Further information about sponsorship packages can be accessed on the conference website or by contacting [email protected].
We look forward to keeping you updated on developments at SARRAH throughout 2018 and seeing you at our National Conference in September.
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