Sent May 2021 - Dietitians Australia wrote to Adjunct Professor Shelley Nowlan to congratulate her on her appointment as Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner. Also to highlight our advocacy work in telehealth and the benefits it provides rural communities in accessing dietetic services.

Letter excerpt

As you begin your work with the Federal Government’s agenda to increase rural health services and address rural workforce shortages it is essential that access to dietitians and the role of dietitians, food and nutrition in health and quality of life are considered. Dietitians Australia has long advocated for recognition of this and we hope you can support this.

An area of recent work is in telehealth and its benefits to rural communities and Accredited Practicing Dietitians’ patient groups. These include:

• Increasing ease of access for those who are unable to or find it difficult to travel (for example, people who do not drive, require time off work or childcare, in lockdown, border town residents and carers).
• Reducing the potential health impacts from travelling to an appointment for clients who are in rural and remote locations with health conditions such as chronic fatigue, mental health conditions, mobility issues and people who are immune compromised.

For more read the full letter.