Federal Assistant Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie MP, announced Professor Worley’s appointment at the Rural Medicines Australia Conference at the weekend.

“Professor Worley will be a determined, effective and passionate advocate for strengthening rural health outcomes across Australia,” Dr Gillespie said.

“I look forward to working collaboratively with him to progress regional and rural health reform.

“The Federal Coalition Government is dedicated to improving access to health services for everyone who calls regional, rural and remote Australia home. The appointment of our National Rural Health Commissioner is integral to achieving this outcome.”

Professor Worley has had a distinguished career in rural health, both as a practitioner and an academic. Throughout his career he has practised as a GP in various locations, including at the present time in a rural practice in South Australia, 90km from Adelaide.

From 2007 - 2017 he was Dean of Medicine at Flinders University in South Australia. 

He has also held senior leadership roles with the Rural Doctors Association of South Australia and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.

“At Flinders University, Professor Worley developed programs which are now recognised globally as models for establishment of rural medical education,” Dr Gillespie said.

“He also has a deep understanding of the work rural doctors do. He has continued to work part-time as a GP in rural South Australia.”

As the Commissioner, Professor Worley will consult with a wide range of health professionals and stakeholders to improve rural health policies and champion the cause of rural practice.

His first priority will be to develop National Rural Generalist Pathways, to provide training, recognition and appropriate remuneration for the complex demands on doctors working outside major cities.

“While developing pathways for rural doctors is a top priority, the Commissioner will also consider the needs of the nursing, dental health, pharmacy, Indigenous health, mental health, midwifery, occupational therapy, physical therapy and allied health workforce in rural areas,” Dr Gillespie said.

The Commissioner will be a member of the Federal Coalition Government’s Rural Health Stakeholder Roundtable and the Rural Health Distribution Working Group which is reviewing systems to encourage more doctors to regional and remote areas.

The National Rural Health Alliance – Australia’s peak non-government organisation for rural and remote health – welcomed the announcement of Professor Worley.

“We are excited about the opportunity that the appointment of Professor Worley as a champion to the cause of rural health presents to assist in establishing a renewed focus and commitment to improving health outcomes for the seven million people living in rural and remote Australia, she said.

Mark Diamond, Interim CEO of the Alliance, applauded the appointment and welcomed the Commissioner’s engagement with people who live in rural and remote areas, and with those who have first-hand experience of the challenges of rural and remote health.

“The Alliance is looking forward to working with and supporting the Commissioner in carrying out his duties,” he said.

“More broadly, we are looking at working with all governments and other stakeholders in the development of a long-overdue new national rural health strategy, including rural health service access standards, to help overcome the disparity in health outcomes for Indigenous people, and those living in rural, regional and remote areas.”