Are you preparing for your rural placement? Perhaps have some down time during placement and looking for something to do? Or maybe you are a little anxious about how you will cope in a new town away from home for your placement.

We have compiled a number of online resources available for students to assist you with all of the above.   The list certainly isn’t absolute and will continue to grow.

So make yourself comfortable, grab a cuppa and browse these resources.

Click here for the AHREN links to all UDRH’s

Rural driving has some unique challenges.

Travelling long distances puts you at risk of fatigue. Allow sufficient time to travel and schedule regular breaks.

Avoid driving at dawn and dusk if possible as there is the risk of hitting wildlife, especially kangaroos. If you must travel at these times, reduce your speed. 

During bushfire season, check the route you are going to travel and your destination for bushfires. It is best to check the Vic Emergency website prior to and on the day of travel.

Below are links to resources to assist you to navigate rural roads:

TAC:  Under ‘Regional Driving’ http://www.tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/safe-driving/tips-and-tools/driving-conditions

Visit Victoria: Under ‘Driving in Victoria’  https://www.visitvictoria.com/Information/Getting-here-and-around/Self-drive/Driving-in-Victoria

Vic Emergency: Incidents and warnings  https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/

 

 

Rural placement guide from the National Rural Health Student Network.

Access it HERE.

National Rural Health Student Network Mental Health Guide – when the cowpat hits the windmill

CRANA plus Bush Support Services

  • Toll free 24 hour free phone counselling service for those in rural areas
  • Phone 1800 805 391 anytime

CRANA plus free course: Adapting Self-Care Practices During Clinical Placement

 

The Going Rural Health Wellbeing & Resilience course:

To access the course, follow this link: https://goingruralhealth.com.au/courses/wellbeing/

You will need to register for the website (if you haven’t already), log-in to the website, and enroll to complete the course.

If you have any issues with access please contact the team at going-ruralhealth@unimelb.edu.au 

 

Health & Wellbeing Service – telehealth appointments:

The Rural Clinical School offers telehealth counselling services while students are on placement. Please see the link HERE for more details and to book an appointment.

https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/responsibilities/victorias-warning-system/vicemergency-app

Being in or traveling through a rural or regional area, means that there are a number of potential hazards that you may not have come across before.  We take student safety very seriously, and therefore would like to make sure you are prepared and know where to go for more information.

It is important to stay alert to the conditions around you, as they can change quickly.

In Victoria, the best place to source information is via the Vic Emergency App.   This app has been developed to combine all of the following agencies critical alerts and community advice, which includes updates and information from:

  • Country Fire Authority
  • Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources
  • Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
  • Department of Health and Human Services
  • Life Saving Victoria
  • Metropolitan Fire Brigade
  • Victorian State Emergency Service

The VicEmergency Apps can be downloaded to your phones easily, with the ability to create a ‘watch zone’ around the area that you are located in.

ISO Apple Store App: https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/vicemergency/id356559665?mt=8
Android Store App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.naturallybeing.fireready

Other resources for VicEmergency information are:

Website:  www.emergency.vic.gov.au
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vicemergency
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/vicemergency/

You can also find information by:

  • Tuning into ABC local radio or other emergency broadcasters including commercial and community radio, or SKY TV.
  • Phoning the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226
  • Following the VicEmergency social media platforms on Facebook or Twitter
  • The closest police station to where you are located

At times technology may fail, and it is important that you are prepared and know where you can get emergency information and warnings.