“More Doctors than Police” is how the Mayor of Gunnedah describes his community's current situation for health access. This was not always the situation; the council and community have spent years working to reach this point. More and more local government is playing a key role in health access for their local communities. What can local government do without direct funding to deliver health services? What role do they play in helping their local communities get long-term health access? Rural Health Pro’s Jeremy Mitchell chats with Jamie Chaffey, Mayor of Gunnedah Shire and NSW Country Mayors Association Chairman, about how his council turned their situation around and why the NSW Country Mayors Association are becoming more active in health policy.

The Prime Minister and premiers have supported the "Single-Employer Model" across several states. It is being rolled out in many rural and regional Australian locations, but what is it, and how will it impact access to health? The Single-Employer Model is sometimes referred to as the “Murrumbidgee Model”. This week we spoke to Dr Alam Yoosuff, Director of Primary Care - Murrumbidgee Local Health District, who was one of the key people who brought together and implemented the model. Dr Yoosuff explains the model, how it works and how others may look to implement it across different areas.

Australia’s federation landscape has provided a complex path for a whole range of policy outcomes between the State and Federal governments. Health and rural health are no different. In this episode, Richard Colbran, CEO of the Rural Doctors Network, explains how health policy is divided between the Federal and State governments and how communities and local governments can best navigate the rural health policy labyrinth.

It’s a program that the Federal Government has funded for over 20 years. It is one of the most successful Health programs being delivered across Australia. This month the program is celebrating its 2 millionth consultation in NSW, where it is delivered across 214 towns and even in some cities. One person every four minutes receives a consultation under the program. It’s called Outreach, and joining the Health Interpreter Podcast to explain what it does and why it has been so successful for communities is Sharif Bagnulo from the Rural Doctors network. He joins our host Jeremy Mitchell from Health Pro Media.

NSW Rural Doctors Network CEO Richard Colbran outlines why communities need to be active in health policy debates. With over twenty years in rural health, Richard gives tips on navigating the complex web of health policy. Richard outlines who should “own” health policy for local communities. If you would like to hear about a topic or policy area around health services, please get in touch with us so we can add it to our schedule of podcasts. It is hosted by Health Pro’s Group Manager, Jeremy Mitchell.