The National Rural Health Alliance, the peak body for rural health in Australia, said that the appointment of Dr Anne-marie Boxall as the Australian Government's new Chief Allied Health Officer was good news for rural Australia.
"Dr Boxall is well-regarded across the sector and has an excellent understanding of rural, regional and remote health, including having worked as a senior policy advisor at the National Rural Health Alliance," said CEO Dr Gabrielle O'Kane.
"A dedicated full-time Chief Allied Health Officer was one of the four recommendations of the former National Rural Health Commissioner, Professor Paul Worley, in his report on improving allied health services in rural, regional and remote Australia.
"Allied health is a crucial part of the health care system and particularly in rural, regional and remote Australia. Allied health professionals represent more than a quarter of the health workforce.
"But there is much more work to be done to address barriers to recruitment and retention of allied health professionals in rural, regional and remote Australia. So we're pleased that the Australian Government has shown addressing these issues to be a priority by appointing a Chief Allied Health Officer.
"We look forward to working with Dr Boxall, and the new National Rural Health Commissioner Associate Professor Ruth Stewart, to achieve better health outcomes for people in rural, regional and remote Australia."
