RAHC achieves 200th health professional placement in NT

The Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) has achieved its 200th health professional placement in a remote Indigenous community in the Northern Territory (NT) since beginning operations in late 2008.

General Manager Dr Lisa Studdert says this marks another great achievement for the RAHC team and its partners. “In the last three months we have placed nearly as many people as in the first six months of this year so our capacity continues to grow and our ability to support primary health services in the NT continues to strengthen”.

“RAHC has seen a great response to our service and the opportunity it presents. The health services in the NT are using RAHC to bolster their services, and urban-based health professionals from around the country and abroad are responding enthusiastically to the opportunity to make a difference and be part of this effort to help close the gap.

“We hope that even more health professionals will be encouraged to take up the challenge and get involved with RAHC in the future.”

RAHC’s 200th placement is Ms Chanell Backman, a registered nurse from Queensland. Ms Backman has already been on three other assignments with RAHC and is looking forward to heading to the Top End for her next placement.

“I really enjoy the challenge of working in remote communities; it’s so different from working in the city. The diversity of culture and the people you get to meet make these placements so enjoyable,” Ms Backman said.

Since April, Ms Backman has completed short-term placements in the Central Australian communities of Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and Areyonga. This week Chanell heads north to Nhulunbuy (Gove) in East Arnhem Land for 5 weeks.

RAHC recruits general practitioners, registered nurses, dental and allied health professionals. Assignments are paid and run for periods of three weeks to three months. This enables health professionals to maintain their personal and professional obligations at home while participating in efforts to expand and strengthen primary health services in remote communities.