health and wellbeing
Just for rural health “
Health” covers a broader spectrum than traditional concepts of diagnosis and
treatment of illness. Healthcare at its best involves partnership between traditional aspects of health, social care and the voluntary sector. The Institute of Rural Health (IRH) was established in 1997 to address this broader healthcare partnership in the rural context, focusing on the specific and unique dimensions of the health of rural people and their communities.
The IRH seeks to achieve its aims primarily through education and training designed with rural health practitioners in mind. It also undertakes key research: defining rurality from a health service perspective; mental health; individuals and groups at risk; the healthcare work force; health service delivery.
Additionally, the IRH is committed to the rural proofing of healthcare, taking national or regional healthcare initiatives and seeing how these might work in a rural context. This may result in changes to proposals, for increased effectiveness in the countryside. The IRH oversees the Rural Health Forum, and publishes briefings, research papers and conference reports across the spectrum of rural health.
What does this mean for Country Way readers, besides its rural focus? Several aspects of the IRH’s work are significant: • Continuing professional development for rural health practitioners. Those in many rural areas have difficulty accessing ongoing training. The IRH provides a relevant, quality education programme for the rural primary care team “learning together to promote teamwork in practice”. In rural areas it is essential to have a joined-up approach to healthcare.
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A group of sixth formers on work experience with a rural paramedic
• Using information and communications technology (ICT) to deliver care in all aspects of patient-centred rural health services. Such a comprehensive service is in its infancy, yet rural communities are ideally placed to benefit from it. The IRH has pioneered ICT and video conferencing to combat the barriers of distance and isolation.
• Rural healthcare experience for medical students. Students training to become GPs gain hands on experience within the community and in real-life general practice. The IRH works with the College of Medicine in Cardiff providing such rural opportunities. This provides a basis for appreciating the needs and opportunities of rural healthcare.
• Work experience for rural sixth form students. This IRH project introduces rural students to rural healthcare. The NHS needs to recruit thousands of new doctors and nurses. Many will be needed in rural areas, where they may not have considered working. The IRH will link secondary schools and the primary care sector, so
encouraging youngsters to consider a career in rural health.
• Networking for rural health specialists.
Besides the
publications it produces, the IRH is committed to providing opportunities for rural healthcare specialists to meet and maintain contact. By this, experience and expertise is more easily shared. Crucial to this networking process is the Rural Health Forum, operated by the IRH and funded by the Countryside Agency and the Department of Health.
Whether directly (as rural healthcare providers) or indirectly (as rural recipients of healthcare), the work and potential of the IRH is relevant to all concerned for rural Britain. Healthcare, in its broadest sense, is in everyone’s interest.
The booklet Think Rural Health produced by the Rural Health Forum is obtainable from the Institute of Rural Health by phoning 01686 650800 or by email
heidi@rural-health.ac.uk or visit
www.rural-health.ac.uk
Simon Martin
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