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Healthcare in a rural setting

January 2005
Board of Science

Sustainability of services
The sustainability of healthcare provision in rural/remote areas needs to be addressed. Recruitment, retention and accessibility difficulties, and other factors that have implications for a sustainable healthcare service in rural/remote areas, have been discussed. The core competencies required for rural areas are not always being taught and maintained, and skills decay is a cause for concern. The move towards centralisation of services, the reduced provision of healthcare services to small communities, and the viability of local acute services can all impact on sustainability of services. Interprofessional working and education, and expert patient groups are two potential solutions.