Rural Doctors Network

20/03/2026

⏰Only 3 days left to apply for the Outreach Student Placement Program ( )! ⏰ Apply now 👉 https://loom.ly/EbDusko

What is the OSPP?

✅ Provides selected , and students in NSW/ACT with the opportunity to shadow an Outreach Provider in a rural or remote community
✅ Outreach providers include GPs, neurologists, optometrists, and many more across a range of disciplines
✅ All travel, accommodation and subsistence costs are covered for placements *(T’s and C’s apply)

The OSPP is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and is administered by RDN in NSW and ACT.

19/03/2026

“I didn’t want to be a doctor who just looked at rural health from a textbook — I wanted to be part of the solution; The RDN Cadet program was the perfect bridge.”

This month, former RDN Cadet and Stage 3 Psychiatry Registrar at Albury Wodonga Health (AWH), Dr Chris Henry, has reflected on his journey as he enters the final stage of psychiatry training, telling AWH that “…moving inland didn't mean losing my connection to Country; it meant expanding it.”

“Looking back, the diversity of my training has been the foundation of my growth,” Dr Henry said.

🗞️Read the full story: https://loom.ly/9AhU8Zw

17/03/2026

The results of a health services survey in , which was conducted by the Collaborative Care Program, have been released and found 78% of respondents have difficulty accessing the healthcare they need.

The survey was conducted late last year and received 267 responses, with most respondents being female. Out of the 78% who had difficulty accessing healthcare, most said they had trouble getting an appointment with a doctor when they needed one whilst others found it difficult to afford certain health appointments.

Read the full report: https://loom.ly/Ftwn8kM

16/03/2026

📣1 week left 📣 to apply for the Outreach Student Placement Program ( )! Apply now 👉 https://loom.ly/EbDusko

Whether you’re interested in obstetrics, Indigenous health, neurology, dermatology or endocrinology, the OSPP has something to offer—but get in quick!

The OSPP:
🩺 Provides selected , and students in NSW/ACT with the opportunity to shadow an Outreach Provider in a rural or remote community
🩺 Outreach providers include GPs, neurologists, optometrists, and many more across a range of disciplines
🩺 All travel, accommodation and subsistence costs are covered for placements *(T’s and C’s apply)

Applications are set to close Monday 23 March- don’t miss out!

The OSPP is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and is administered by RDN in NSW and ACT.

14/03/2026

Registrations are closing soon! Don’t miss your chance to reconnect with colleagues and enhance your skills at the Rural GPs Refresher Conference in Port Macquarie next month.

The conference features an expert-led program with practical sessions on key topics such as dermatology, paediatrics, obesity and diabetes management, tailored specifically to rural GPs and the event has been accredited for PDP and CPD.

Hosted by Rural Doctors Network and the Rural Doctors' Association of NSW, with support from the NSW Ministry of Health.

📆 27–29 March
📍 Rydges, Port Macquarie
🎟️ Register now: https://loom.ly/nHIfzRs

Additionally, pre-conference workshops are available on ALS and ADHD training, book these separately here 👉 https://loom.ly/-G3K5Jw

Rural Health Pro Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network Western NSW PHN Wentworth Healthcare Healthy North Coast Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network COORDINARE

12/03/2026

Are you interested in rural health but unsure about where to start? Why not experience a day in the life of an provider and get a taste of healthcare in the bush! 🩺🤠 Apply now 👉 https://loom.ly/EbDusko

Applications are open for RDN’s Outreach Student Placement Program!

The OSPP:

👉🏼 Provides selected , and students in NSW/ACT with the opportunity to shadow an Outreach Provider in a rural or remote community
👉🏼 Outreach providers include GPs, neurologists, optometrists, and many more across a range of disciplines
👉🏼 All travel, accommodation and subsistence costs are covered for placements *(T’s and C’s apply)

The OSPP is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and is administered by RDN in NSW and ACT.

10/03/2026

NSW Health and RDN Health are partnering to deliver an interactive masterclass on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with a focus on GPs working across South Western Sydney and Western Sydney. Register now👉 https://loom.ly/ckLyQP0

📍Mercure Sydney Liverpool
📆23 May, 2026

The masterclass will bring together leading clinical experts and local GPs to strengthen the management of ADHD in primary care.

Participants will meet the training requirement to become a continuation prescriber under the NSW ADHD care in general practice reforms. Registration will be funded by the NSW Ministry of Health. For more information, see the registration link above.

10/03/2026

Just one of many great contributors who've come through the NSW Rural Resident Medical Officer Cadetship program run by Rural Doctors Network. Read more about the program here: www.ruraldoctors.org/cadets

⭐ RDN Cadet Spotlight: Dr Chris Henry ⭐

As we welcomed RDN Cadets to Albury Wodonga last weekend, we’re proud to spotlight one of our own — Dr Chris Henry, now a Stage 3 Psychiatry Registrar at AWH and RANZCP Rural Champion.

👉 What first attracted you to the RDN Cadet program?
“Growing up in a rural community, I saw firsthand the ‘stoic silence’ that often surrounds mental health and the genuine struggle families face when specialist care is hours away. I didn’t want to be a doctor who just looked at rural health from a textbook — I wanted to be part of the solution. The RDN Cadet program was the perfect bridge – it recognised that coming from the bush gives you a 'cultural shorthand' with rural patients that you just can't teach in a city lecture theatre."

👉 What surprised you most about training at AWH?
"The clinical intensity. There’s a misconception that rural medicine is slower, but at Albury Wodonga Health, the acuity is high and the pathology is complex. What surprised me most was how my rural background actually became a clinical tool. In the High Dependency Unit, being an Indigenous male who understands the nuances of regional life allowed me to build rapport quickly. AWH provides the high-tech, fast-paced environment of a major hospital but maintains that 'small town' sense of accountability to the person sitting across from you."

👉 What’s been your biggest professional growth moment?
"Transitioning into my Stage 3 Registrar year and taking on the role of RANZCP Rural Champion. There was a specific moment managing a complex dual-diagnosis case where the clinical, legal and social issues were completely intertwined. Realising I had the seniority to advocate for a management plan that actually fit the patient's rural reality, rather than a 'one-size-fits-all' metro model, was a major milestone. It was the moment I stopped being a trainee and started being a specialist advocate for my community."

👉 What do you love most about living and working in Albury Wodonga?
"It’s the sense of belonging. After years of training, being back in a regional environment feels like coming home. I love that I can provide high-level psychiatric care to my community during the day, and be out on the Murray River or in the High Country by sunset. For an Indigenous man in a high-pressure specialty, that connection to Country isn't just a perk — it’s essential for my own wellbeing and my ability to show up for my patients every day."

👉 What would you say to medical students considering a rural pathway?
"If you're from a rural background, you have a superpower – don't trade it for a city postcode. To all students, but especially my Indigenous brothers and sisters: The bush is where you are needed most, and it’s where you will grow the fastest. In a regional setting like AWH, you aren't just a number in a rotation; you are a leader. You’ll develop a level of clinical 'grit' and a broad scope of practice that will make you a far more versatile psychiatrist in the long run."

Read more of Chris's reflections on his cadetship here: https://bit.ly/4cl54uJ

09/03/2026

RDN is very pleased to officially welcome Amy Brown aboard as Chief – Health Access Enterprises. Amy brings a wealth of experience working in the not-for-profit, commercial and government sectors, including on the Boards of Mission Australia, Destination NSW and Link Wentworth Housing.

Amy’s experience spans senior executive roles at NSW Treasury, PwC, and the Department of Premier and Cabinet. She also served as Secretary of the NSW Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade and CEO of Investment NSW.

Amy says she’s looking forward to being part of RDN's growth for impact and playing whatever part she can to enable equitable access to health and social care across the community.

“Equity is a core value that guides my work and life—and so I believe that all people should have access to the full range of quality services they need, when and where they need them, including access to health and social care,” Amy said.

CEO, Richard Colbran, welcomed Amy and described her as an inspirational leader who’s dedicated to better outcomes so people and communities prosper and achieve their aspirations.

“Amy’s experiences—both professional and personal—will create significant opportunities for RDN and our network to have greater impact.”

Read full story: https://loom.ly/nDxI8Fw

09/03/2026

Looking to build your rural health career and connect with peers from across the country? Rural Health Pro offers a free, easy‑to‑join platform for rural health professionals. With a community of more than 15,000 members, it provides access to information, resources, and networks to support your work—wherever you are✅

Become a member and access:
✨National jobs board
✨News and resources
✨Rural Health Training Calendar
✨Exclusive member benefits
✨Location and profession based discussion groups
✨A Weekly Exchange Newsletter delivered to your inbox every Friday
and more!

Join today 👉 https://loom.ly/P7cWfj0

09/03/2026

That's a wrap on the first of 2026! 🧑‍🌾

From to and back again, 20 healthcare students have indulged in all that rural life has to offer this past weekend visiting medical facilities, hearing from guest speakers and participating in community and cultural events (peep the country park run🏃‍♀️)!

📰To get the full story of all their adventures, subscribe now to Rural Doctors Network's weekly masthead news email, Monday Message: https://loom.ly/DzzJ7pc

Go Rural is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and administered by Rural Doctors Network. This trip was generously sponsored by Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited

08/03/2026

Clinical Psychiatrists—your expertise is needed!

Rural Doctors Network is recruiting for Outreach roles supporting Aboriginal Medical Services across NSW. Contribute to meaningful mental health care through assessments, medication management, and collaborative practice.

For more information and to register your interest👉 https://loom.ly/12yO7Go