News Story

2020 Summit - a personal perspective

Senior Lecturer for the Rural Clinical School, Dr John Kramer, was amongst several UNSW staff invited to attend the 2020 Summit held in Canberra 19 - 20 April.

Dr Kramer was involved in the stream “Future Directions for Rural Industries and Communities”, one of ten streams addressing key issues of the nation such as health, the economy, the arts, and Indigenous Australia. He found the experience of the 2020 Summit inspiring and refreshing, saying, “It was an utterly stimulating occasion. It left me with a strong sense of optimism for the future of Australia.”

Working in various size groups, the attendees of each stream were given the opportunity to express their ideas and opinions for the future of Australia, resulting in a presentation of each stream’s ‘Big Idea’ to the Prime Minister.

During the stream sessions, Dr Kramer raised a number of suggestions and issues impacting on rural communities, including:

• Greater support to recruit and retain rural GPs and their families by meeting the needs of the spouse/partner, children’s education and suitable accommodation
  
• Responsibilities for all aspects of practice management, such as the hiring of staff or locating a premises, could shift from the GP to a pre-determined entity such as a Division Of General Practice or Local Government, especially in more rural areas.
  
• Upgrading the road and railway networks to improve rural infrastructure and safety
  
• Implementing a national system of Registration for Doctors and other Health Workers to improve the flexibility and effectiveness of the health workforce, whilst retaining control of Standards within the profession.
  
• Under a concept of “Rural Health Obligation”, the minimum standard of health services is defined for a rural community and the body responsible must fulfil these obligations
  
• A comprehensive learning and behavioural assessment of children to identify those with special needs before entering the school system. Early recognition combined with appropriate help can provide the necessary means to avoid major learning and behavioural deficits in the future

Dr Kramer reflected that “despite discussing such major concerns, the mood was one of great optimism. We sensed that the doors of our Federal Government have been thrown open and we are being asked for our advice. I can but hope this situation lasts indefinitely.”

Story by UNSW Media & Communications Unit

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