{
  "id": 10055487,
  "title": "Sky's the limit for bush medics but policy doesn't land",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/skys-the-limit-for-bush-medics-but-policy-doesnt-land",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-23T20:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Discovered",
    "slug": "discovered",
    "url": "https://armidaleexpress.com.au/story/9356384/skys-the-limit-for-bush-medics-but-policy-doesnt-land"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lloyd Nash, a physician who has treated conditions few others have seen, is both a specialist in far-flung places and a critic of policy that keeps physicians in cities. Dr Nash told the press that his job takes him to remote communities, including Antarctica, the Pacific, and Indigenous areas. He works to the fullest extent of his abilities, seeing unique patients and making a difference. However, despite his broad experience, Dr Nash is part of a small group of physicians working outside of urban centers. Most specialists and trainees are clustered in metropolitan areas, according to a recent Royal Australasian College of Physicians report.\n\nThe city-country divide is the result of policies that funnel specialists back to cities for their final years of training, making it difficult for physicians to relocate with families and financial obligations. The report suggested broad reforms, such as national workforce planning and support for rural physicians, like housing and childcare assistance. Dr Nash is also co-director of the WA Rural Physician Training Pathway, a program that places trainees in rural areas with city rotations. The program is popular, with high demand for spots.\n\nRural Australia suffers from health gaps, with residents dying 1.5 times more frequently than city dwellers. Annabel Martin, a nephrologist and head of a rural clinical school, has seen patients forgo specialist care due to infeasible city travel. While her clinical school embeds students in regional communities, many must return to the city for sub-specialist training. Medical colleges could help by reducing barriers for regional hospitals to gain training accreditation and recognizing the value of remote supervision.\n\nHowever, rural Australia remains largely invisible to policymakers, according to Annabel Martin. Metro people often speak for rural, regional, and remote health, neglecting the lived experiences of those in remote areas. Torre, a mother from Melbourne, is one of the patients left behind. She has waited years to see a neurologist for debilitating migraines, who will finally see her in October. Torre acknowledges the quality of care she receives but emphasizes the lack of access and availability. The issue is not a lack of quality, but a lack of access and availability.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}