RHCE Stream One Funding Round Two

We are pleased to announce that the RHCE Stream One Funding Round Two is now open!

Rural Health Continuing Education (RHCE) Sub-Program Stream One is an initiative of the Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing that provides education opportunities that support continuing professional development (CPD) for specialists in rural and remote location in Australia.

Funding under Stream One of RHCE is available to rural and remote medical specialists and Specialist Medical Colleges to support these activities.

RHCE Stream One supports rural specialists in the following ways:

1. Individual specialists accessing CPD; and
2. Grants for CPD projects that promote multi-disciplinary based learning

Funding Round Two is now open.  Application forms and guidelines are now available for download from the RHCE website.

The closing date for the RHCE PMU to receive all applications is 13 May 2011. 

Please note that applications must be lodged via Specialist Medical Colleges and they will have earlier deadlines to enable a review of applications. College contact details are provided in the guidelines.

Am I eligible to apply for RHCE individual CPD grant to access CPD?

Grants of up to $10,000 are available to rural and remote medical specialists to support up to five days of CPD activities. Rural and remote specialist is defined as a specialist working in RA2 (Inner regional) RA3 (Outer regional), RA4 (Remote) and RA5 (very Remote) areas of Australia as defined by the Australian Geographical classification - Remoteness Areas (ASGC-RA) system categories.

Information on the remoteness classification of any town or community in Australia can be found through the ‘Map Locator’ available online at the Australian Government’s DoctorConnect website:
www.doctorconnect.gov.au/internet/otd/publishing.nsf/Content/Locator.

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who are undertaking Specialist Medical College requirements for specialist recognition following assessment by the College via the Australian Medical Council Specialist Assessment Pathway are also eligible to apply.

Please visit the RHCE Stream One website for application forms and for further information on Rural Health Continuing Education (RHCE) – Stream One.

Do you have any CPD project ideas?

Project applications are now being sought from all specialist medical colleges. Rural fellows are encouraged to discuss suggestions and ideas for CPD Projects with their Colleges. This input will result in learning opportunities that will benefit from a more tailored and a more locally adapted response that will focus on the specialist team needs of rural locations. 

Wish to make a contribution?

Contributions and suggestions for future newsletters are welcomed so please send us your ideas and articles for inclusion.

The RHCE Program Management looks forward to hearing from you. 

Best Wishes

The RHCE Program Management Unit

RHCE Stream One is an initiative of the Australian Governement, Department of Health and Ageing and managed by the Committee of Presidents of Medical Colleges.