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Rural Health Providers Videos

Getting access to the right health professionals can be challenging when you live in the country. We have put together a range of videos from health professionals that might help you to care.

Susi Tegen, CEO or National Rural Health Alliance, welcomes you and explains the challenges and benefits of ageing in a rural area.

Mark Boughey, Palliative Care Doctor

Mark talks about some of the challenges of being in a rural area including travelling for medical care, using telehealth, and accessing medicines. He acknowledges that some rural carers feel unprepared for the role.

Mark encourages rural carers to connect with their local General Practice and find out about local palliative care or nursing services. Alternative ways to access medical care include after hours telephone support numbers for palliative care advice and also virtual Emergency departments you can access from home.

Mark encourages carers to always get a telephone number to contact metropolitan health services before going home to the country. Try and plan a pleasant activity with trips to the city for medical care.

Mark encourages carers to ask questions and share their concerns with health care providers. Your needs as a carer are really important and your questions are valid.

Mark encourages carers to plan ahead and talk about preferred place of death and what is expected going forward. Planning ahead is even more important in a rural area where it may take time to access services and medicines.

Dr Leanne, Southwest WA

Speaks about how rural GPs really get to know families, understand their priorities, and can support them through end of life.

Amanda, General Practice Manager, Benalla VIC

The role of the GP practice in a rural area is very important. They can arrange home visits and support the carer as well as the patient. Amanda discusses some of the challenges and benefits of ageing in rural Australia.

Sarah, Medical Researcher, QLD

Many carers do not know that respite involves taking a short break from caring by moving the person into hospital or an Aged Care Residential Facility. Sarah talks about how respite breaks may be part of a person’s Aged Care Home Care Package at minimal cost and can be a valuable opportunity for carers to look after their own health.

Annie, Health Worker, Top end QLD

Annie lives in a very remote part of Queensland and shares her experience with the diverse communities and reliance on Flying Doctors Service. Most people want to be able to stay on Country for the end of their lives.

“They’re just ordinary people living the most extraordinary circumstances. The community pull together in times of need.”

Alessia, Project worker, Palliative Care Australia

Alessia talks about palliative care and how it can help carer for a person with a life-limiting illness and also the family who is providing the care. While it can be more challenging to find specialist palliative care services in rural areas, Palliative Care Australia has a registry to help you find your local service.

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