1. PURPOSE
This Terms of Reference defines the activities for the Rural Policy Advocacy Group as a policy and advocacy working group, reporting into the Policy and Advocacy Committee (PAC) on all matters relating to Rural and Remote Health in Medical Administration.
2. OBJECTIVES
RPAG is a PAC Working group who:
- Develop Policy for Rural and Remote Medical Administration for PAC to consider.
- Advises PAC on Rural & Remote Advocacy matters in relation to Medical Administration.
- Identify areas where Rural & Remote Policy & Advocacy is required for the College.
- Advise on approaches to the avenues of rural and remote medical administration advocacy.
3. FUNCTIONS
The RPAG will:
- Identify areas and define policy in relation to Rural and Remote Medical Administration to advise PAC and the RACMA Board.
- Provide a forum for the discussion of advocacy issues that affect Rural & Remote Medical Administration for RACMA members.
- Work with other PAC working groups as required to advise PAC and the Board on Rural & Remote issues for the medical profession is the areas of diversity, inclusiveness, Indigenous health and Medical Administration workforce.
- Advise RACMA on Rural and Remote issues that need to be considered in Teaching and Learning Policy for the training of RACMA Medical Administrators.
- Advise on matters of Rural & Remote Clinical Governance, Equity and Access, and the organisation of health services and the health system management across all RACMA jurisdictions.
4. DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide timely and accurate feedback, input and advice to PAC on issues of importance.
- Be accountable to PAC for reporting on any matters
- Liaise and consult appropriately in order to establish advice or position. statements in regard to Rural & Remote workforce needs.
- Be responsible for developing the Rural & Remote advocacy strategy for the College.
- Liaise with all PAC working groups as necessary.
5. COMPOSITION
5.1. Members of the Committee shall be appointed by the College Board and comprise:
- A duly delegated Chair being a FRACMA with a background in rural and remote medical administration. The Chair will take a seat as a member of PAC.
- A RACMA member as representative from each College Jurisdiction across Australia and New Zealand.
- A College Candidate representative.
- Rural & Remote representative(s) from RACGP and/or ACRRM and/or other rural generalist/specialist medical Colleges and/or peak bodies. The RPAG Chair will collaborate with PAC on timing and selection.
- Up to three Co-opted members with rural and remote expertise (internal or external to RACMA) as required and endorsed by PAC.
5.2. PAC will be mindful of the importance of diversity and inclusiveness in RPAG members representation.
5.3. Co-opted Members
The RPAG may require the expertise of a person, or persons who can assist in its subject matter deliberations. The RPAG may co-opt members for a specified time and for a specified task, having endorsement from PAC.
5.4. Duration
Members shall be appointed for a term of three years and cannot serve more than two consecutive terms.
5.5. Meetings
- All meetings will operate by the College teleconference system.
- Meet at a minimum quarterly and by consensus over this minimum.
- Invited persons in attendance for all or part of a meeting, shall not have any voting rights.
- A quorum shall be a majority at a 50% or greater of the membership.
6. REPORTING
- RPAG reports to PAC and the College Board as required.
- Make any exception reports to the RACMA Board to address emerging or risk issues as required.
6.1. Minuting and Reporting
Meetings shall be minuted and distributed to the membership for confirmation at the meetings. A report on issues and activities will be provided by the Chair, at each of PAC’s quarterly meetings.
Authorised by: The RACMA Board
Approval Date: December 2019
Review Date: December 2021
