Media Release

26 September 2006

Last Chance for Rural Health Professionals to Apply for Funding of Their Innovative Projects

Rural health professionals have until the end of this week to apply for a share of $300,000 available to fund new and creative rural health projects.

The Rural Innovations Fund is available annually to assist and support rural innovation in the health sector and people have until Friday to get their bright ideas to the Ministry of Health for consideration.

Dr Jim Primrose, Chief Advisor General Practice says the Ministry is aware that GPs, nurses, and other health professionals working in rural New Zealand do face challenges that health professionals in bigger towns and cities don't. This money is there for the rural health workforce to enable innovative approaches to the way rural health care is developed.

"Projects funded through the Rural Innovations Fund have the potential to be implemented on a national basis if the project improves the way rural health care services are delivered," says Jim Primrose.

He says if rural health professionals are considering putting together an application by Friday, there are certain questions they can be asking themselves about their project. The main ones being 'will this benefit the health of rural New Zealanders?'

"Each person that applies is entitled to up to $50,000 for their innovative project. This could be something that improves the IT structure of their business, extra support for management or further training of staff."

Dr Primrose says, "we have already recieved applications to the Rural Innovations Fund but it is still not too late for people to make an application by this Friday."

Successful applicants will be notified by mid-December.

Application forms can be downloaded at the Ministry of Health's website - www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/rural-innovations-fund-form

ENDS

For further information, please contact
Victoria Evans
Media Advisor
Ph: 04 496 2036