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Network conference hailed a success
MEDIA RELEASE
4 April 2007
Rural General Practice Network conference hailed a success
The 2007 New Zealand Rural General Practice Network (NZRGPN) conference has been hailed a huge success by delegates.
“The conference was an excellent opportunity for doctors and nurses from around the country to network and discuss the issues facing New Zealand rural health practices,” said NZRGPN chair, Dr Tim Malloy.
“Rural health practitioners relished the chance to obtain valuable education and the skills required to address the issue of the day – providing after-hours oncall care.”
The importance and significance of this issue was highlighted in the awarding of the inaugural Peter Snow Memorial award to Dr Ron Janes for his contribution to research in the rural health sector.
Dr Janes’ research showed providing oncall has significant negative personal consequences for GPs, nurses and their families, with serious workforce implications.
Dr Sarath Gunatunga was also awarded lifetime membership of the NZRGPN for his contribution in rural health to his local community in Opunake, Taranaki for over 33 years.
Nurse delegates used the conference as an opportunity to meet and discuss their role in rural healthcare with the Ministry of Health’s nursing director, Mark Jones.
“Mark showed an incredible interest in the issues of rural nurses,” said Kirsty Murrell-McMillan, a rural nurse specialist and conference delegate.
“He is very keen to continue to meet with rural nurses and develop a greater understanding of them and the issues they face working in rural communities, particularly those more remote parts of NZ where there has been a chronic GP shortage.
“The conference was a fantastic opportunity for all types of rural nurses - both primary and secondary care - to discuss their similarities and the issues they face in providing healthcare to rural and remote areas.”
Over 270 rural general practitioners, nurses, practice managers, rural hospital doctors and industry delegates from around the country and the world attended the NZRGPN conference, which finished on Sunday.
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