House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport

About the National Rural Health Alliance The National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) comprises 53 national organisations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the over 7 million people in rural and remote Australia. [...] A National Rural Health Strategy would coordinate rural health measures between the Commonwealth and States/Territories with clear, coordinated and funded priorities and implementation plans to address the health needs of rural Australians. [...] Introduction: The National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) thanks the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport for the opportunity to respond to the Inquiry into the Health Impacts of Alcohol and Other Drug Use in Australia. [...] A National Rural Health Strategy would coordinate rural health measures between the Commonwealth and States/Territories with clear, coordinated and funded priorities and implementation plans to address the health needs of rural Australians. [...] • Increase measures to bolster the Rural and Remote Health Workforce: Commit to increasing the number of healthcare professionals in rural and remote areas across primary care; psychiatry, psychology and AOD workers 8 b) Examine the effectiveness of current programs and initiatives across all jurisdictions to improve prevention and reduction of alcohol and other drug-related health, social and eco.