A PEAK medical body has called for urgent infrastructure investment to fill 'critical' gaps in rural health, in the wake of last Tuesday's Federal Budget. The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) welcomed investments committed to healthcare overall, but has urged all political parties to step up and prioritise rural, remote, and First Nations healthcare in their election platforms. ACRRM President Rod Martin said the Budget contained 'no surprises', reinforcing the need for commitment from all sides of politics on ensuring that funding reaches communities which need it most. “The government has committed approximately $8.5 billion in healthcare funding over four years, and the Liberal Party of Australia has said they’ll match it - but there is little clarity on how much will directly benefit rural and remote Australians – they deserve detail and ACRRM expect it,” Dr Martin said. “With an election on the horizon, this is the time for political leaders to put forward concrete plans that will make a real difference in rural and remote Australia.” ACRRM plays a vital role in training rural generalists (RG) and providing ongoing support throughout their careers and is advocating for a Rural Health Service Providers’ Infrastructure Support Fund to help close critical service gaps, making it easier to attract and retain healthcare professionals in areas of greatest need. Dr Martin said the Budget failed to address those gaps in rural healthcare, including the ongoing closure of rural maternity services with 80,000 women giving birth outside of cities each year. "There has been no commitment to turn this around - targeted funding is desperately needed to attract and retain the rural maternity workforce, including Rural Generalists skilled in obstetrics and anaesthetics, to ensure women in rural and remote communities can access safe, high-quality maternity care close to home. The ACRRM is calling for urgent investment in infrastructure, highlighting that workforce retention is directly linked to access to essential services such as housing and childcare. “Investing in these areas is key to making rural communities more liveable, sustainable, and attractive to healthcare professionals and their families," Dr Martin said. “A lack of affordable housing and childcare remains a major barrier to recruiting and retaining healthcare workers in rural and remote areas. "Without (having) doctors where they are most needed, patients face longer wait times and often must travel further for care, putting even more strain on the system. “Investing in infrastructure will ensure rural and remote communities get the care they need—now and into the future." The college is also calling for recognition and fair remuneration for experienced GP and RG supervisors who provide senior clinical advisory services. “These professionals play a crucial role beyond training the next generation of doctors—they help maintain the quality and safety of rural healthcare,” Dr Martin said. “Yet, they are only compensated for training support, and not their broader contributions. “Recognising and properly funding these roles is essential for strengthening rural health services and ensuring sustainable, high-quality care. Dr Martin said the 'sweetener' was a $265.2 million investment to expand the pipeline of future GPs and RGs, supporting the need for at least 500 RG training places annually. “We will be watching closely to ensure these training places are allocated where they are most needed.”
