Providing equitable healthcare services in remote and rural communities costs more than for urban areas. Larger distances leading to higher staff travel costs and productive time spent by staff having to travel are contributing factors. For example the Vaccination programmes in remote and rural communities cost more but the benefits are so valuable. There is a need to appropriately weight funding to enable provision in less accessible communities. These outreach approaches cost more but are important if we are to avoid rural health inequalities. The burden of accessing healthcare should not be disproportionate in remote and rural communities. NRAC formula does not adequately cover the increased costs of delivering services in remote and rural areas, covering for small services when vacancies occur, incurring agency costs etc. The formula needs review.
This content is created by the open source Your Priorities citizen engagement platform designed by the non profit Citizens Foundation