The RHSET service as a regional resource: what price support?

The Rural Health Support, Education and Training (RHSET) advisory service has been a valuable tool for rural and remote organisations wishing to submit applications for health and human service grants. It has enhanced the concept of access and equity for groups in rural and remote areas. Support and networking have been strong factors in the service, which has overcome the limitations of inadequate travel and time resources for part-time project officers providing assistance to organisations seeking grants. Intending grant applicants need to be motivated and enthused to keep working on applications, particularly as there is no guarantee of an affirmative outcome. It needs to be recognised that the positive results likely to arise from a full-time regional service should not be thwarted by the lack of a small Commonwealth funding investment. There is considerable potential for the development of support services in terms of the breadth and depth of services offered to rural and remote health workers.