Rural and outback paramedics ROAR into Alice Springs

Paramedics Australasia have recently brought together some of its most isolated members for the inaugural Rural Outback And Remote (ROAR) Paramedic Conference in Alice Springs.

Participants included paramedics who work in non-traditional settings, such as mining sites and off-shore platforms where they provide a wide range of health services.

Over two days in April the conference provided a great opportunity for the peak professional organisations to connect with members from remote locations.

A group of relatively new graduates who are coming to grips with the challenge of working in remote Australia also attended, and we welcomed nurses and doctors from most states and territories of Australia and from New Zealand.

To cater for this diverse audience, the conference program consisted of a mix of topics from the implementation of paramedic registration in Australia later this year, through to the adventures of a paramedic in some of the most hostile environments imaginable.

Some of us were squirming in our seats when Rex Neindorf from the Northern Territory Reptile Centre turned up sporting several live snakes for identification and discussion of bites. 

Another highlight was an inter-professional exercise facilitated by the Royal Flying Doctor Service and St John Ambulance Northern Territory.

The conference was informative, friendly and participative.  Most of the speakers were drawn from remote Australia.

The national board of Paramedics Australasia met in Alice Springs the day before the conference.

A second ROAR Conference is being planned for 2019.