Rural Innovations Changing Healthcare (RICH) is a one day virtual forum. It links rural health service providers, consumers and other rural sectors across NSW.
The aim is to share experiences and showcase rural models of care which have potential for broader implementation.
RICH is held annually. There is a different theme each year with presentations and digital posters.
2023 RICH forum
The 2023 RICH forum was held Tuesday 13 June 2023 with presentations from the speakers below. The presentations can be viewed on the ACI Rural Network Sharepoint site (acessible by network members only).
- Keynote: Attract connect stay: A community-driven approach to strengthening rural health workforce
Dr Cath Cosgrave, Chief Executive Officer, Cath Cosgrave Consulting - Keynote: Are we future fit? Rural health care in 2030 and beyond
Professor Jenny May, AM, Director of Department of Rural Health, University of Newcastle - Keynote: An update from the Regional Health Division
Luke Sloane, Coordinator General Regional Health Division, NSW Health - Care navigation for Ezidi people resettling in Armidale, NSW
Melissa van Leeuwen, Care Navigator, HealthWISE - Digital surveillance approach to address child development, mental health and psychosocial needs in rural and multicultural communities
Teresa Winata, Senior Research and Evaluation Officer, Paediatric Mental Health, South Western Sydney LHD - Enhancing maternity services in remote areas using extended reality technologies
Bradley Chesham, Chief Executive Officer, Bundle of Rays - Feasibility and acceptability of a virtual model of care in rural emergency departments
Rebecca Austin, Clinical Nurse Consultant Emergency, Northern NSW LHD - From little things, big things grow: A contemporary Police, ambulance and clinician early response (PACER) model for better outcomes
Stephanie Perrot, PACER/ Mental Health Emergency Consultation Service Clinical Nurse Specialist, Mental Health Emergency Consultation Service, Murrumbidgee LHD - From little things, big things grow: SEARCH (reproductive and sexual health services) in rural and remote NSW
Suzi Parker, Project Manager, Family Planning Australia - Living at the end of life: A team approach to exceptional grief
Jenny Rose, Social Work Head of Department, Bathurst, Western NSW LHD - Magseed® technology for the management of the impalpable breast lesion in the rural setting
Jia Xi Julian Li, Surgeon, Griffith Base Hospital, Murrumbidgee LHD - Planting the seeds for change: The development, implementation and expansion of a virtual clinical pharmacy service
Anna Packer, Virtual Clinical Pharmacist, Western NSW Local Health District (LHD) - SMS4Dads: A network of text-based services for Australian men transitioning to parenthood
Chris May, University of Newcastle - Sticky notes, drop-in sessions and calls after 8: Engaging consumers in the co-design of paediatric care coordination for children with medical complexity in HNELHD
Stephanie Hodgson, Project Manager, Children Young People and Family Service, Hunter New England LHD - Supported virtually, provided locally: Remote in-home monitoring cardiac support pilot program in rural communities in western NSW
Fiona Martin, A/Nursing Unit Manager Remote in-Home Monitoring Integrated Care in the Community, Western NSW LHD - We can’t shut the emergency department: Virtual care delivery challenges
Jessica Keady, Clinical Nurse Consultant Emergency and Critical Care, Western NSW LHD
Past forums
Join the network to watch presentations from past events.
- Keynote speaker Prof Ruth A Stewart, National Rural Health Commissioner
- Developing rural generalist nurses though tailored and flexible education delivery
Liz Shaw, Nurse Manager, Western NSW Local Health District
Jaime Coello, Nurse Educator, Western NSW Local Health District - Establishment of a TeleECG centralised acute coronary syndrome decision support service in Rural NSW emergency departments
Fiona Dee, Cardiology Liaison Officer, Hunter New England Local Health District - Falling for FREDeX: Evaluating a novel simulation training program
Ashfaq Asif, Medical Student (University of Sydney) and Research Assistant, Broken Hill University
Desley Johnson, Falls Prevention Coordinator, Western NSW Local Health District - Making a difference in primary schools through “Our Mia Mia”: A school-based integrated health hub servicing a disadvantaged population in the NSW south coast
Dr Antonio Mendoza Diaz, Conjoint Lecturer, University of NSW and Our Mia Mia Hub Coordinator - My rehab my journey: Gadjigadji – Improving the experience for Aboriginal people in rehabilitation
Jenni Johnson, Associate Director, Preserving and Restoring Interventions in Surgery and Medicine, ACI - Oral health goes virtual: A paediatric specialist model of care
Dr Jad Clarke, Specialist Paediatric Dentist, Westmead Centre for Oral Health and visiting Specialist, Murrumbidgee Local Health District
Margaret Selvey, Dental Therapist, Murrumbidgee Local Health District - Partner-delivered relaxation massage to support mild anxiety in pregnant women: A feasibility study
Romy Lauche, Deputy Director Research, National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine - “They think they just don’t need to go to the bush anymore”: What do people in rural and regional NSW think about telehealth and virtual care?
Dr. Anthony Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Health Consumers NSW
- Keynote Speaker Shane Fitzsimmons OAM, Australian Fire Service Medal, Commissioner of Resilience NSW
- Collaborative planning for primary health services
Sarah Davies, Project Lead, NSW Rural Doctor’s Network
Amelia Haigh, Rural Health Innovation Lead, Western NSW Local Health District - Developing a bulk billing Indigenous eye care model in Bathurst NSW
Jane Hager, Senior Project Officer, NSW Rural Doctor’s Network
Melissa Mayall, Project Lead – Primary Health Portfolio, Marathon Health - “Does the rain mean we’re OK”?: Childhood education network
Emma Woolley, Health Promotion Coordinator, Southern NSW Local Health District - Enhancing digital inclusion to enhance carer wellbeing in rural NSW
Sarah Judd-Lam, Manager Policy and Research, Carers NSW - Health promotion using digital technologies: Aboriginal engagement
Christine Fing, Aboriginal Engagement Officer
Kay Smith, Health Promotion Officer, Breastscreen NSW (Greater Western) - Healthy eating and activity group with local mob
Rachel O’Loughlin, Physiotherapist, Eurobodalla Community Health, Southern NSW Local Health District - Maximising potential for online education and training
Lindsey Skillen-Eifler, Manager Conferences and Events, NSW Rural Doctor’s Network - Moving allied health services forward: Innovation in multidisciplinary care
Dianne Harvey, Associate Director Allied Health, Western NSW Local Health District
Sarah McBurney, Virtual Occupational Therapist, Western NSW Local Health District