Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program (MSOAP)
MSOAP forms part of the Australian Government's Rural Health Strategy. The aim is to improve the access of rural and remote communities to medical specialist outreach services. The delivery and support of outreach medical specialist services has achieved considerable success since MSOAP began with over 1,000 specialist services developed across Australia with the support of the MSOAP.
In NSW funding is split between the NSW Department of Health for public sector services and NSW Rural Doctors Network for private sector services. The objectives of the Program are to:
- Increase visiting specialist services in areas of identified need;
- Support medical specialists to provide outreach medical services in rural and remote areas;
- Facilitate visiting specialist and local health professional communication about ongoing patient care;
and - Increase and maintain the skills of regional, rural and remote health professionals in accordance with local need.