SSRS Email Newsletter

Take a look at our email newsletters for more information on our events and current projects.

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The Support Scheme for Rural Specialists is a program aimed at improving access to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities for specialist medical practitioners living and working in regional, rural and remote Australia. The Program is a joint initiative of the Committee of Presidents of Medical Colleges and Department of Health and Ageing and is funded by the Australian Government.

More information

 $5,000 CPD Grants for remote specialists

Applications for individual SSRS CPD Grants has now closed. All applicants and Colleges have received notification of the outcomes in relation to these Grants. 

These Grants were made available to support individual medical specialists access education and professional learning opportunities, who are living and working in towns and regions classified as Rural Zone 2 - 3 or Remote Zone 1 - 2, according to the ‘Rural, Remote and Metropolitan Areas Classification’ (RRMA).

 Round Eight Projects 2009

The SSRS Round Eight funded projects are:

  • Supporting Continuing Professional Development of Rural Dermatologists: Online (ACD)
  • Rural Radiology Online Education (RANZCR)
  • Peer Review Generated Education Seminars for Rural Psychiatry (RANZCP)
  • Simulation Supporting Rural Specialists as Leaders of Clinical Teams (RACP)
  • ERRNEST – Educating Rural Rehabilitation Networks, Enhancing Specialist Teams (RACP)
  • Management of Diabetic Foot (RACS)
  • Northern Australian Surgeons Network (RACS)
  • Neurotrauma Workshop (RACS)
  • Australian Indigenous On-line Health Program (RACS)
  • Emergency management of severe burns (RACS)
  • Rural Craft Group Audit (RACS)
  • Perinatal mortality and morbidity: learning from adverse events to improve care (RANZCOG)
  • Practice Visits: reviewing specialist practice to improve the safety and quality of care (RANZCOG)
  • Better management of Rheumatic Heart Disease and other chronic diseases in northern Australia through the provision of education, the strengthening and expansion of existing clinical networks and the evaluation of management of these diseases (RACP)

A number of these projects will be applicable for multiple specialty groups.

The SSRS is pleased to see the projects funded under Round Eight building on the outcomes from previous funding rounds, and the commitment of Specialist Medical Colleges in supporting the continuing professional development of medical specialists practising in rural and remote Australia.

For more infomration, go to click on the Projects tab.

Helping Medical Specialists working in rural and remote Australia deal with professional isolation: the Support Scheme for Rural Specialists

The January 2009 MJA includes an article titled ‘Helping Medical Specialists working in rural and remote Australia deal with professional isolation: the Support Scheme for Rural Specialists’

Authored by previous SSRS Program Management Unit staff Ms Belinda Pond, Ms Lauren Dalton and Mr Gary Disher and previous SSRS Program Management Committee Chairman, Prof Michael Cousins, the article looks at the role the SSRS has played in supporting specialist medical colleges to develop and implement projects that provide CPD and peer support opportunities for specialists practising in rural and remote Australia.

To view the article online, go to: http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/190_01_050109/pon10881_fm.html

Subscribe to the SSRS eNewsletter

The Support Scheme for Rural Specialists (SSRS) has established an eNewsletter designed to keep rural specialists up to date with the latest news and information from the Program. The information will include:

  • Latest SSRS Project information
  • CPD Events
  • Information from other Network Members

If you would like to be kept up to date with the latest SSRS CPD opportunities, click here to subscribe to the SSRS eNewsletter today.

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Emergency management of severe burns

This project will consist of three workshops offered in Launceston, Bendigo and Cairns, and will be applicable to any rural medical specialist who may come into contact with a severe burn shortly after the injury is sustained, and needs to be able to assess, resuscitate and stabilize the patient for...


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There are currently no upcoming SSRS events. You can view the archive of past events offered.