VICDOC Summer 2023 - Magazine - Page 39
R EG I ON A L
U R BA N H EA LT H CA R E
It is also notable that the number of
patients staying more than 24 hours in
regional and rural EDs over the last 12
months has exploded. While AMA and
ACEM advocate that this should be a
‘never event’, we are now seeing this
happen literally hundreds of times every
month in some facilities. These are signs
of failing systems and will undoubtably
be a surrogate indicator for increasing
morbidity and mortality.
Our urban systems are under stress,
however regional and rural areas are in dire
straits. Fewer staff, fewer resources, and
increasing demand in the face of limited
budgets is a recipe for decline in healthcare
outcomes for many communities. These
communities are already socioeconomically
disadvantaged, with larger healthcare
burdens and less access to mental health
care, dental care, drug and alcohol care,
specialist care; all care.
But, despite all of that, my decision to
move to a rural community and continue
my career there has been the best thing I
have done to recover from a significant time
of burn out and stress. This community –
my community – deserves better, and I am
playing a small part in improving its access
to care. I hope I can influence and support
more of my colleagues to do the same –
to step outside your comfort zone and
make a bigger difference. What can be
more rewarding than that?
Dr Simon Judkins is the Director of Emergency
Medicine at Echuca Regional Health and current
Vice-President of AMA Victoria. Simon is
especially interested in health equity, social justice,
regional and rural health, and mental health.
—
My decision to move to a rural community and
continue my career there has been the best thing
I have done to recover from a significant time
of burn out and stress. This community – my
community – deserves better, and I am playing
a small part in improving its access to care.
—
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