CURRENT INQUIRY - Factors affecting the supply of health services and medical professionals in rural areas

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS INQUIRY - THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE SUPPLY OF HEALTH SERVICES AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IN RURAL AREAS

TERMS OF REFERENCE:

The factors affecting the supply and distribution of health services and medical professionals in rural areas, with particular reference to:

(a) the factors limiting the supply of health services and medical, nursing and allied health professionals to small regional communities as compared with major regional and metropolitan centres;
(b) the effect of the introduction of Medicare Locals on the provision of medical services in rural areas;
(c) current incentive programs for recruitment and retention of doctors and dentists, particularly in smaller rural communities, including:
(i) their role, structure and effectiveness,
(ii) the appropriateness of the delivery model, and
(iii) whether the application of the current Australian Standard Geographical Classification – Remoteness Areas classification scheme ensures appropriate distribution of funds and delivers intended outcomes; and
(d) any other related matters.

The reporting date is 27 June 2012. For more details, go to: http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/clac_ctte/rur_hlth/index.htm