Learning, teaching and research - case studies of best practice

Description

Sustainable Development Goal 3 

Providing access to quality healthcare services for people living in rural and remote Australia

Rachel Rossiter, Associate Professor of Nursing has worked with a team of Charles Sturt staff and some clinicians from Mid-North Coast Local Health District for more than three years to provide evidence that would support advocacy efforts by Parkinson’s NSW for specialist Parkinson’s nurses in regional, rural and remote NSW. Access to specialist movement disorder neurological services is extremely limited outside of major cities with 93 per cent of neurologists located in urban areas. The findings from a 3-stage study have been reported widely and led to an announcement by the Department of Health of funding for rural Primary Health Networks to undertake a pilot program placing Movement Disorder Specialist Nurses in rural and remote areas.