RHOF Pain Management Expansion

In December 2019 RDN announced we had been awarded Commonwealth funding to expand the Rural Health Outreach Fund (RHOF) program until June 2021.

A needs assessment to prioritise the use of finite RHOF funding has now been completed, and the RHOF Pain Management Reference Group has convened to commence providing strategic advice and leadership.

The outcomes of the program expansion include:

• best-practice prescribing
• reduction of harm resulting from overuse of opioids
• supporting non-pharmacological pain management alternatives and supplementary care.

The Reference Group includes rural GPs and is made up of subject matter experts representing organisations that are active in pain management, including:

• Agency for Clinical Innovation (Pain Management Network)? 
• Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) 
• Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) 
• Australian Pain Society 
• Sydney University - Pain Management Research Institute (PMRI)
• National Prescribing Service (NPS) MedicineWise
• NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN)

The initial Reference Group meeting was held on 20 February 2020. It was fantastic having such a depth and breadth of knowledge and experience from experts. The meeting highlighted the plethora of pain resources already available, as well as the existing gaps in information coordination, clinical translation and best practice pain management service offerings.

Regional discussions will be taking place across all rural regions (ASGC RA2-5) in the coming months to workshop proposals. Please contact the Outreach Team if you are interested in contributing to your regional discussion.