The Rural Doctors Association of Victoria
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About Us
Overview
State Rural Doctors' Associations (RDAs) were formed from 1987 onwards to safeguard the rural medical workforce as a provider of accessible high standard medical care for the rural population. It was realised that without a persistent political voice, rural medicine tends to be sacrificed to the needs of the metropolitan sector and that without its own political representation, rural medicine risks being undersold to the political process. The broad aims of RDAs are training appropriate for isolated practice, viable funding that encourages long stay, and support for medical families.
The RDAV was formed in 1991 and operated the RDAA until finances allowed the opening of an office in Canberra. Responsibility for rural medicine is shared separately by the Commonwealth (community GP) and the States (Hospitals). Most rural doctors work in both sectors. RDAV maintains a strong medico-political role within the State and at the Federal level through the RDAA. It has a proud record of achievement. RDAV represents the breadth of Victorian rural doctors: specialist and generalist, public and private, procedural and non-procedural, Australian trained and overseas trained.
Who Is RDAV?
RDAV is a non-profit organisation, which is led by a Management Committee elected annually from the membership. A sub-committee structure is used to progress individual issues (eg. indemnity program, education, remuneration). RDAV holds an educational conference and AGM in a different location around the state each year in September. RDAV initiated the Victorian Rural Divisions Coordinating Unit and the Coordinating Unit for Health Education in Victoria, functions of which were transposed to the GPDV and the Rural Workforce Agency of Victoria. RDAV has board representation on the RWAV. RDAV hosted the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine in its first few years and formed the Rural Medical Family Network of Victoria.
In Victoria, RDAV keeps rural medical issues in the public eye by constant contact with press and radio, as well as provision of advice and ad hoc representation to Government and Minister directly and through working groups. It also meets with other peak rural groups such as the CWA and VFF, with whom it issued a consensus statement in 2006.
Specific Attention for Rural Medical Issues
RDAV, together with other States and the NT, provides two representatives and funding to the RDAA, which is a Federal organisation. The RDAA operates as a peak medical body for rural medical matters and maintains routine liaison with the Federal Ministry and Department. RDAA maintains a high media profile to ensure Federal Government interest in rural medical matters. Many private general practice issues are addressed on a national level through liaison with the Federal Minister for Health, and the Department of Health and Ageing. Importantly, RDAA represents rural doctors at a raft of national meetings groups and forums, helping to ensure that rural medical issues get specific attention and are not overrun by non-rural interests.
It is recognised that important functions must remain at the State level, but the fact remains that many of the best achievements have been at the National level and the organisation will for economy of scale centralise activities as far as possible.