Workforce for Health

Support for the rural and remote primary health care workforce is a critical part of RHealth's role and is provided through the Chapter Network, Workforce Support for Rural General Practitioners Program and the Nursing in General Practice Program. RHealth is  is also working with the Health and Community Services Workforce Council on a Workforce Planning Project.

Chapter Network
The Chapter Network was established over 10 years ago to provide rural and remote GPs with a local voice and the opportunity to meet with their peers in the places where they lived and worked.
 
Over the years, membership has been extended to other health service professionals and interested community members, with networking, peer and family support, health service planning, and a range of education and training options made available through Chapters.
 
Chapters are led by local Coordinators and supported by Liaison Offices located in Roma, Kingaroy and Toowoomba.
 
Local Chapters operate in each of the regions serviced by RHealth:

Far South West

  • Charleville
  • Coordinator: Dr Sian Ford, Liaison Officer: Judy Scott

South West

  • Roma
  • Coordinator: Dr Rosie Geraghty, Liaison Officer: Judy Scott
  • St George
  • Coordinator: Dr Pam Turnock, Liaison Officer: Judy Scott

Western Downs

  • Chinchilla
  • Coordinator: Dr Ken Gilmour, Liaison Officer: Judy Scott
  • Dalby
  • Coordinator: Dr Felicity Constable, Liaison Officer: Kerrie Zeller

Southern Downs

  • Goondiwindi
  • Coordinator: Mr Matt Gilchrist, Liaison Officer: Janine Muller
  • Stanthorpe
  • Coordinator: Dr David Downs, Liaison Officer: Janine Muller
  • Warwick
  • Coordinator: Dr Chis Hannon, Liaison Officer: Janine Muller

South Burnett

  • Kingaroy
  • Coordinator: Dr Brent Fulcher, Liaison Officer: Kerrie Zeller
  • Murgon
  • Coordinator: Dr Graham McAllister, Liaison Officer: Kerrie Zeller

Beaudesert

  • Beaudesert
  • Coordinator: Dr Margaret Hall, Liaison Officer: Janine Muller
 
 
Nurse Networks
Local Nurse Networks are sponsored by Chapters in Dalby, Stanthorpe, Warwick and the South Burnett.
 
The Nurse Networks provide a peer support network for Nurses working in primary health care with the opportunity to discuss local issues in a professional group environment. Short training sessions are also provided at Network meetings.
Email Judy Scott or phone 07 4622 8842 (Charleville, St George, Roma, Chinchilla)
Email Janine Muller or phone 07 4638 1377 (Goondiwindi, Warwick, Stanthorpe, Beaudesert)
Email Kerrie Zeller or phone 07 4162 5230 (Dalby, Kingaroy, Murgon)
 
Workforce Support for Rural General Practitioners
RHealth provides newly arrived and existing GPs in rural and remote areas with orientation, training, education, mentoring and professional development as a recruitment and retention strategy.
 
Members can access rural up-skilling grants for hands-on courses that will benefit their local community, as well as support to help them attend the Rural Doctor’s Association of Queensland Conference each year as a way to meet and learn with other rural and remote professionals.
 
Practice Nurses and Practice Managers can also access subsidies for attendance at the annual professional body Conferences.
 
Email Philippa Glasby or phone 07 4638 1377
 
Surat Basin Health and Community Services Workforce Plan

RHealth is partnering with the Health and Community Services Workforce Council to develop the Surat Basin Health and Community Services Workforce Plan. This is a short-term Project until December 2011. Coordination is provided by the Health and Community Services Workforce Council, and RHealth has a part-time Project Officer based in the local area working with key stakeholders and the Health and Community Services Workforce Council on the Project.

View the Fact Sheet

Email Trish Leddington-Hill or phone 07 4669 1807

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Training for a Future in Health - Productivity Places Program

RHealth in partnership with Health Industry Training Queensland (HITQ) is offering funded training through the Skilling Queensladers for Work Productivity Places Program, funded by the Queensland Government. Places are available for eligible participants to complete a full qualification in Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance, Certificate III in Health Support Services, or Certificate III in Health Services Assistance. Training is FREE to eligible participants. 

 
Places are available for participants to complete a full qualification in
·         Certificate III in Allied Health
·         CertificateIII in Health Support Services
·         Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
·         Certificate III in Home & Community Care
(All Certificates not offered in all towns)
 
 Places are limited. Visit the Training page here for course brochures. Visit the Events & Education tab above for more information on starting dates of information sessions or alternatively click this link. 
 
Courses will be held 9am to 2:30pm three days a week in the following towns
 
·         Chinchilla commencing 30 January 2012
·         Dalby commencing 13 February 2012
·         Kingaroy commencing 13 February 2012
·         Roma commencing 13 February 2012
·         Toowoomba commencing 13 February 2012
·         Warwick commencing 13 February 2012
 
To enrol or for more information please contact:
Philippa Glasby from RHealth on 4638 1377 or email philippa@rhealth.com.au