KEEP IN TOUCH
(07) 3105 7800
Turrbal and Jagera Country
Level 4, 348 Edward Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
The year has started strongly with the Rural Workforce Agency Network (RWAN) meeting in Adelaide on Thursday, 2 February to workshop the first National Health Workforce Needs Assessment Report and the development of the National Performance Report process. The RWAN meeting also considered the development of an International Medical Graduate (IMG) recruitment and support strategy. Submission preparations were discussed for the Independent Review of Health Regulatory Settings and the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Migration.
The HWQ board then met on the 17 and 18 February to consider cyber security developments and a range of health reform topics. The board reviewed the preparation of the strategic plan for 2023-2024.
The appointment of two Cultural Advisors to the HWQ Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group has prompted us to create a formal structure and linkage to the Board for the RAP process and cultural advice. This is a key step for HWQ to ensure our services and activities are genuinely focused towards progressing reconciliation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. To this end, we acknowledge that the 18 to 24 February was Call to Action week for the Voice to Parliament, and it was a great time to start sharing information on what this means. The Voice to Parliament is a body enshrined in the Constitution that would enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to provide advice to the Parliament on policies and projects that impact their lives. With the referendum on the Voice to Parliament likely taking place later this year, this is an opportunity to vote on making policies with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people rather than for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, providing the foundation for improvement in health outcomes. To hear more about a Voice to Parliament take a look at the four-minute video below.
Our Future Workforce Team supported the National Rural Health Student Network (NRHSN) Council at their first meeting for 2023 in Brisbane on the 25 and 26 February 2023. I had the pleasure of presenting to the Council members on the topic of Leadership.
Next month we have GROW Rural North Queensland coming up for the second year. The inaugural event was launched last year with great success, and the team are looking forward to reconnecting with the students and communities. GROW Rural South West Queensland is back this year, with a new cohort! Information sessions are coming up and applications open in May. Another big event on the horizon is the RDAQ Conference in June. This event provides a valuable opportunity to expand our knowledge and to catch up with familiar and new faces.
Chris Mitchell
CEO, Health Workforce Queensland
Click below to read more about the latest HWQ news.
