Abstract
Communications and the promotion of the work of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists’ Rural Special Interest Group (RSIG) will be two of the priorities to be addressed by the group's new committee.
RSIG Chair, Dr Tricia Nagel, said other key issues included the development of links within the College and the Fellowship as well as related organisations and stakeholders.
“We will also be looking at rural training, professional support, recruitment and retention, models of training delivery, and rural mental health research.
“We plan to make contact with a broad range of stakeholders — including indigenous consumers, rural GP's, medical students and junior doctors, overseas-trained doctors and College members.
“We want to consult, to hear about the issues, and to advocate for rural mental health”, Dr Nagel said.
The contribution of RSIG's former chair, Professor Fiona Judd, and Ms Gabrielle Fitzgerald, of the RANZCP Secretariat were acknowledged at the group's annual general meeting in Christchurch in May.
“It was fitting that Professor Judd, who was such a driving force in the development of this group, was awarded the inaugural Rural Research Award”, Dr Nagel said.
The new committee members are:
Chair:0 Dr Tricia Nagel, Darwin.
Secretary: Dr Andrew Frukacz, Bathurst, NSW.
Treasurer and South Australian representative: Dr Fiona Hawker, Adelaide
New South Wales representative: Professor Brian Kelly, Orange.
New Zealand representatives: Dr Ian Hosford, Hawkes Bay and Dr Don Quick, Blenheim.
Northern Territory representative: Dr Jill Pettigrew, Catherine
Queensland representative: Dr Alexandra Simpson, Cairns.
Tasmanian representative: Dr Jenny Tudehope, Leith.
Victorian representative: Professor Mark Oakley Browne, Traralgon.
Liaison with universities: Associate Professor Jim Greenwood, Sydney.
Private practice representative: Dr Jenny Barry, Yeppoon, QLD.
ANZAPT representative: Dr John Edgar, Canberra.
The RANZCP Policy Unit supplies secretariat support for the RSIG Committee.
The rural project officer is Mr. Nick Spunde, on (03) 9601 4947 or
Toll free number
New Zealanders now have a toll free number on which to call the head office of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists in Melbourne.
The number is 0800 443 827.