Rural Primary Health Services Program

Rural Primary Health Services (RPHS) Program


Overview

On 1 July 2008, the Government created the Office of Rural Health to drive rural health reform in response to the findings of the Audit of Health Workforce in Rural and Regional Australia. The findings indicated that many rural health programs were directed towards achieving the same or similar outcomes. Rural Primary Health Service (RPHS) Program will consolidate four previously separate primary and allied health programs.

The RPHS brings together the:
  • More Allied Health Services (MAHS) program;
  • Regional Health Services (RHS) program;
  • Multipurpose Centre program (MPC);and
  • Building Healthy Communities in Remote Australia program.

 Services Provided Under RPHS

CWDGP is currently using RPHS funding to deliver the following services;

  • Psychologists
  • Podiatrists
  • Speech Pathologists
  • Dietitians
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Physiotherapists
  • Clinical Nurse Specialists
RPHS allows other allied health services to be funded. If you have an identified need in your community for additional services please contact the Division


Referral Criteria

Services funded under RPHS are provided free of charge to consumers in rural communities and should be accessed through their General Practitioner (ie initial referral via GP). Services provided to referred patients can either be on an individual or group basis. For group treatment, services must include secondary preventative/educational intervention for patients with existing conditions.