The importance of healthcare was a critical topic, particularly for those living in regional areas where the sector faced several pressing challenges. The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) recently brought together leading health experts to explore innovative solutions for sustainable, high-quality regional health outcomes at its Thought Leadership Series event, the Future of Health in the Regions, held on 11 July.
Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Ivan Frkovic was excited to contribute to the discussion.
“I was very much looking forward to being a part of this important conversation and shining a light on mental health in our rural and regional areas and where we need to do better so these communities can continue to thrive into the future,” Mr Frkovic said.
He noted that a significant portion of the Australian population lived outside major cities and that their health needs needed to be adequately supported.
“We’ve got to, at a government, non-for-profit, private and even community level, think about the way we design and deliver services to ensure equitable access to services now and into the future as our regional populations continue to grow,” he said.
“Key to this is leveraging the expertise of these areas and local knowledge to provide and grow place-based and community-led solutions.”
Professor Jeff Dunn AO, a recognised World Cancer Leader, moderated the panel discussion.
“We covered vital themes such as mental health reform, digital transformation, and workforce sustainability, all of which are essential to the future of healthcare in regional areas,” Professor Dunn said.
“The event provided a platform for us to delve into the challenges and opportunities in regional healthcare, fostering a collaborative approach to driving improvements.”
The expert panel included:
Adjunct Professor Shelley Nowlan, Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner
Ivan Frkovic, Queensland Mental Health Commissioner
Annette Scott, Health Service Chief Executive at Darling Downs Health
Dr. Tony Bayliss, Chair, Darling Downs and West Moreton Board
Professor Sonja March, Director, Centre for Health Research, UniSQ
