The following articles may be of interest :
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Stock Journal Australia July 23rd 2020 SA-lead initiative aims to tackle rural trauma gap
An overview of the SA Rural Emergency Responder Network and the need for a national rural responder network across Australia, using Sandpiper bags

https://www.stockjournal.com.au/story/6848370/sa-led-initiative-aims-to-tackle-rural-trauma-gap/?cs=4861
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MJA Insight article “Sandpiper Australia – a rallying point for rural trauma care” 18 Nov 2019.
Medical Journal of Australia article outlining the Sandpiper Model for rural Australia.

Download or read link at : https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2019/45/sandpiper-australia-a-rallying-point-for-rural-trauma-care/
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RDAA Media Release – 7 Jan 2020
Media release in response to bushfire crisis in Australia and role of primary care

Download or read link at :
https://www.rdaa.com.au/documents/item/909
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RACGP Media article – 7 Jan 2020
RACGP article on bushfire response – whilst things worked well in location such as Kangaroo Island, some GPs in NSW reported difficulty. This is because their role is not formally identified under current systems and understandably ambulance are reluctant to include ‘ad hoc’

Download or read link at :
https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/professional/gps-on-the-firefront-ignored-by-authorities
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ABC Media Report – 7 Jan 2020

Download or read link at :
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The Age National doctor network for disasters will be considered after fires – 8 Jan 2020
Headline in The Age re role of primary care in local and State disasters

Download or read link at :
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RDAA and ACRRM Position Statement “Role of the rural GP in disaster response and prehospital care” October 2016
This document outlines the following four positions from Rural Doctors Association of Australia and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine :
(i) Statewide retrieval services and other organisations responsible for emergency response and disaster management planning should formally recognise local rural doctor and hospital facilities and staff as important and integral components of the pre- hospital and disaster response team, and document their roles accordingly.
(ii) Jurisdictions should seek rural medical input in the development of their strategic plans and disaster response management strategies. These plans should include recognition of ACRRM and RDAA (or its State member associations) as key stakeholders, and mandate their participation in the development and evaluation of any disaster response policies and plans.
(iii) Rural doctors should be trained and supported so they can effectively respond to emergency situations. This includes specific training programs and/or curricular for rural doctors and ongoing CPD requirements.
(iv) A nationwide Rural Emergency Responder Network should be developed to identify and document the location of rural doctors with advanced emergency response and retrieval skills to provide an additional level of community resilience in the face of pre- hospital incidents such as multi-trauma and State/National disasters. These doctors should be appropriately equipped and supported.

Download or read link at :
https://www.rdaa.com.au/documents/item/61
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EMA article “Tyranny of distance and rural prehospital care: is there potential for a national rural responder network?” 24 June 2015
Emergency Medicine Australasia article describing the need for a National Rural Emergency Responder Network in Australia.

Download or read link at :
https://kidocs.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/EMA-paper-10.1111_1742-6723.12432-2.pdf
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Incorporating general (medical) practitioners into emergency plans – Emergency Law Jan 7 2020
Paramedic and lawyer Michael Eburn emphasises that primary care needs to speak with one voice on this issue – and that any response needs to be pay too a plan, not ad hoc!

Download or read link at :
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