About us
10+
years of helping people in rural and remote communities
A rural health charity giving country people better health
Rural Doctors Foundation is a national rural health charity. We exist to give those in rural and remote regions better access to lifesaving healthcare. As rural doctors and community members, we care deeply about the places where we live and work. From the remotest outback regions to pristine coastal areas and bustling rural farming districts. Together, we’re creating meaningful change to give people a better chance at health in our regions.
As rural doctors, we see health inequities every day. There are fewer services. As well as fewer resources and fewer health professionals in the bush. And as a result, this has a great impact on disease, life expectancy, and mental wellbeing. Research shows that mortality rates are 1.8 times higher than they are in urban areas. Three in five rural people don’t see a specialist when they need to, Mostly, because there isn’t one close by.
Our values
Courage
We will act with conviction and integrity and take informed risks.
Trust
We will be credible, reliable, connected and selfless.
Care
We will be diligent, compassionate, responsive and effective
Our vision
Rural doctors for rural communities
Our purpose
To support better health in rural and remote communitiesRural Doctors Foundation is caring, committed and connected to rural and remote communities
Our rural health charity creates change at the local level. Working on projects that directly help rural and remote people improve the health of their communities. The people we serve in rural and remote communities have unique needs. Rural Doctors Foundation recognises the diverse health needs of all people that make up regional areas.
Our work supports First Nations health and the vibrancy of Indigenous communities. As well as farming communities, and regional townships. So, it’s about working with remote and rural people, on the ground, to deliver the right support, in the right way.
Our history
Rural Doctors Foundation was established by Rural Doctors Association Queensland. The rural health charity was born from the 2011 floods when many remote areas were in crisis and we knew something needed to be done.
Our story begins with a few dedicated doctors....
Our story starts with a small number of rural doctors including Dr John Hall and Dr Dan Halliday who believed that access to life-saving health and wellbeing should always be available. In times of crisis, in times of hardship, and importantly, no matter how remote the location. This dedication to equality for remote and rural communities is the spark that ignited Rural Doctors Foundation.
And it continues to fuel our cause. A cause that is growing as we expand to support those living in rural and remote communities across Australia.
Making it official
In 2013, Dr Dan Halliday became the RDAQ secretary. At this time, he presented a proposal to the RDAQ membership to establish RDAQ Foundation to address gaps in rural and remote community health. The membership enthusiastically supported the initiative at the 2014 Annual General Meeting. Outgoing RDAQ president, Dr Adam Coltzau was endorsed as the inaugural chair of RDAQ Foundation (now Rural Doctors Foundation) and in 2015, the Foundation achieved DGR status.
In 2021, we changed our name to Rural Doctors Foundation to reflect its commitment to support those in rural and remote communities across Australia.
Today, our vision for more people to enjoy healthy lives with access to quality local care.
Our governance
Rural Doctors Foundation has a volunteer Board of Directors, supported by an Executive Team. We operate in line with our Constitution and Governance Framework. We have Deductible Grant Recipient (DGR) status.
Our people
The Foundation is made up of people who understand and care deeply about rural and remote communities. Because we are part of them. People with a passion for improving health outcomes outside metro areas.
Our partners
Rural Doctors Foundation partners with organisations that share our passion for rural and remote. Our partners are committed to helping us deliver life-saving healthcare solutions.
Our publications
Issues facing rural and remote people need more air time. And so, we’re keen to help everyone understand them. Review our publications on important rural health topics, including our annual report.
Testimonials
Thank you to the Rural Doctors Foundation for their invaluable support of the Happy Healthy Teddies Program. Thanks to their generosity, we are able to bring health education to some of our youngest rural and remote Australians in an engaging, interactive and entertaining manner.
Dr Mitee Parekh
.
Capability Health and Rural Doctors Foundation share the same core values to close the gap in rural and remote health services.
Capability Health provides locally based Allied Health Care to Cape York.
Despite an increased need for health services, it can be difficult to attract and retain staff in these areas, often leaving a significant gap between the need and access to services. The funding received from Rural Doctors Foundation has contributed to the initial set up of Capability Health, providing Allied Health services in remote Far North Queensland. Capability Health is excited to be part of Rural Doctors Foundation support network going forward.
Anna Drum
Myotherapist
Capability Health
.
The Darling Downs Indigenous Health Team would sincerely thanks Rural Doctors Foundation for the support of this vital project – Suicide Prevention and Capacity Building.
Without the support of Rural Doctors Foundation we would not be able to upskill and develop community members’ ability to manage suicide risk in Cherbourg, a discreet Aboriginal community in the South Burnett of Queensland.
The Suicide Prevention and Capacity Building project is a first of its kind in Queensland and we envisage this project to be a legacy that will remain for future generations to come.
Rica Lacey
Director of Indigenous Health
.
While we were driven by a need to support the physical and mental wellbeing of those in rural communities, when we kicked off Rural and Remote Yoga we could not have expected the support, recognition and results we have achieved.
The online yoga classes allow participants to proactively care for their health and wellbeing. In addition, our classes have connected communities, challenged people to try something new, taught lifelong mindfulness skills and built confidence.
We congratulate Rural Doctors Foundation for being a caring, forward thinking, progressive organisation that values proactively supporting health outcomes. By providing long term mental health programs like yoga and mindfulness you are helping to overcome health challenges of rural living and social isolation.
