This following could be part of the text in memo field.
====================================================================================================
RATIONALE. HAHS and the Hunter Rural Division of General Practice (HRDGP) recognise the need to undertake a stakeholder consultation process and comprehensive needs assessment, to explore the concerns and service access issues of service providers (GP and hospital) and local rural communities. The HAHS will carry out consultations with rural GPs and Hospital Emergency Departments and are currently undertaking a major community consultation exercise across rural Hunter, as part of the development of its strategic direction for rural health services.
METHODS. This project will conduct a telephone survey with a representative random sample of community members from rural areas in the Hunter serviced by the Hunter Rural Division of General Practice. The information gathered in the community survey will supplement information obtained in the stakeholder consultations and provide the HRDGP and HAHS with a clear indication as to the level of need and support for improved after hours access to health care. This information will be used to guide the development of a business plan for after hours service provision in rural areas of the Hunter
