The Rural Services Network (RSN) proudly hosted its final seminar of the year last week, focusing on the crucial topic of Rural Health and Care. This online event brought together over 50 delegates from various organisations to discuss and address the unique challenges faced by rural health service providers and communities.

Insightful Presentations and Engaging Discussions

The seminar kicked off with a warm welcome from Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of RSN, who introduced the theme and set the stage for a morning of meaningful dialogue. The first presentation was given by Anna Whelan and Jessica Sellick from the National Centre for Rural Health and Care. They introduced the Rural Health Workforce Toolkit, a crucial resource for addressing workforce challenges in rural settings, which sparked a lively Q&A session.

Dr. Richard West, Chairman of the Dispensing Doctors’ Association, followed with a presentation on the vital role of dispensing doctors in rural communities. He highlighted the financial and logistical struggles these practices face, such as dispensing at a loss and the lack of inflationary uplifts since 2012.

Alicia Rose from Healthwatch North Yorkshire explored the healthcare barriers within the farming and rural communities of North Yorkshire. Her talk revealed significant access issues caused by increasing distances to services and inadequate transportation, stressing the need for tailored healthcare solutions in these areas.

The seminar concluded with an open forum discussion segment allowing attendees to discuss challenges and share examples of good practices and innovative solutions for improving rural health and care.

Looking Ahead: The 2025 Seminar Programme

As we close the chapter on this year's seminars, we are excited to announce that the RSN Seminar Programme for 2025 will be available shortly. This upcoming programme promises to continue addressing the pressing issues facing rural communities and service providers.

We thank all the attendees and speakers who made this seminar a success and look forward to another year of engaging and informative events. Remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and check our website for updates on the 2025 seminar programme.