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Objective: To assess awareness, needs and use of Australian Government-funded home aged care services among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples from rural and remote South Australia., Design: Mixed-method study., Setting: Four rural and remote communities with a higher proportion of Aboriginal populations (Ceduna, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln and Whyalla)., Participants: Fifty Aboriginal peoples aged 50-89 years (68% females) interviewed between August 2020 and October 2021., Main Outcome Measures: Participant awareness, needs and unmet needs., Results: 88% of the participants indicated they needed home care support with daily activities (median number of needs = 3; interquartile range 2-6 needs), especially housework (86%) and transportation (59%). However, only 41% of those reporting current needs were receiving home care services. The most prevalent unmet needs were allied health (87%), housework (79%), help with meals/meals preparation (76%), shopping (73%) and personal care (73%). Overall, 62% of the participants were unaware of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, and 54% were unaware of the Home Care Packages program. Qualitative data showed participants felt there is insufficient information and public consultation about these services for older Aboriginal adults. Regular communication in group activities was the preferable approach to becoming aware of these services rather than websites, posted materials or phone calls., Conclusion: Further work is needed to increase home aged care service access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples living in rural and remote settings. Promotion of these programmes through local group activities could facilitate access to these services and facilitate community engagement in decision-making., (© 2023 The Authors. Australian Journal of Rural Health published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of National Rural Health Alliance Ltd.)

Problem There is a lack of access to simulation-based education ( SBE) for professional entry students ( PES) and health professionals at rural and remote locations. Design A descriptive study. Setting Health and education facilities in regional South Australia and south-west Victoria. Key measures for improvement Number of training recipients who participated in SBE;, geographical distribution and locations where SBE was delivered;, number of rural clinical educators providing SBE., Strategies for change A distributed model to deliver SBE in rural and remote locations in collaboration with local health and community services, education providers and the general public. Face-to-face meetings with health services and education providers identified gaps in locally delivered clinical skills training and availability of simulation resources. Clinical leadership, professional development and community of practice strategies were implemented to enhance capacity of rural clinical educators to deliver SBE. Effects of change The number of SBE participants and training hours delivered exceeded targets. The distributed model enabled access to regular, localised training for PES and health professionals, minimising travel and staff backfill costs incurred when attending regional centres. The skills acquired by local educators remain in rural areas to support future training. Lessons learnt The distributed collaborative model substantially increased access to clinical skills training for PES and health professionals in rural and remote locations. Developing the teaching skills of rural clinicians optimised the use of simulation resources. Consequently, health services were able to provide students with flexible and realistic learning opportunities in clinical procedures, communication techniques and teamwork skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In the past 30 years, 60% of South Australia's rural maternity units have closed. Evidence demonstrates midwifery models of care offer regional Australia sustainable birthing services. Five birthing sites within the York and Northern Region of South Australia, designed in collaboration with key stakeholders, offered a new all-risk midwifery continuity of care model (MMoC). All pregnant women in the region were allocated to a known midwife once pregnancy was confirmed. In July 2019, the pilot program was implemented and an evaluation undertaken., Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, acceptability, and sustainability of the new midwifery model of care from the perspective of health care providers., Design: The evaluation utilised a mixed methods design using focus groups and surveys to explore experiences of health care providers impacted by the implementation of the MMoC. This paper reports on midwives, doctors and nurses experiences at different time points, to gain insight into the model of care from the care providers impacted by the change to services., Findings: The first round of focus groups included 14 midwives, 6 hospital nurses/midwives and 5 doctors with the overarching theme that the 'MMoC was working well.' The second round of focus groups were undertaken across the five sites with 10 midwives, 9 hospital nurses/midwives and 5 doctors. The overarching theme captured all participants commitment to the MMoC, with agreement that 'there is no other option - it has to work'., Discussion: All participants reported positive outcomes and a strong commitment to navigate the changes required to implement the new model of care. Collaboration and communication was expressed as key elements for success. Specific challenges and complexities were evident including a need to clarify expectations and the workload for midwives, and for nurses who were accustomed to having midwives 24 hours a day in hospitals., Conclusion: This innovative model responds to challenges in providing rural maternity care and offers a sustainable model for maternity services and workforce. There is an overwhelming commitment and consensus that there is 'no other option-it has to work'., (© 2023 The Authors. Australian Journal of Rural Health published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of National Rural Health Alliance Ltd.)