Queensland Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce is furthering the plight to engage and retain rural based health professionals.

The National Rural Health Network a federally funded peak advocacy body aimed at encouraging a career in rural health, met with Senator Joyce in Canberra today to outline its Rural High School Visit Program.

The program currently involves small groups of health faculty students from around Australia delivering health careers workshops in rural high schools.

The expansion of this project will be undertaken in collaboration with other health based organisations with the main objective of improving recruitment and retention of those young people that wish to pursue a career in health.

“This program targets the right group as far as I am concerned. Engaging young people while they are still contemplating their future career decisions is fantastic,” he said.

“The social challenge for people wanting to work in rural areas has always been a concern and the work of the NRHN is pivotal to the future of rural health services,” Senator Joyce said.

“The additional funding required to enhance the program is incalculable when you consider the positive impact it will have on rural health and the fact that the workers are all volunteers,” he said.

“In terms of looking after the health of the nation, I think we must be mindful of the fact that crossing the Great Dividing Range to head west does not diminish your life style,” Senator Joyce said.

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