Distinguished rural doctor and academic Emeritus Professor Paul Worley will become Australia's first national rural health commissioner.
The announcement will be made by Federal Assistant Minister for Health David Gillespie at the Rural Medicines Australia conference in Melbourne on Saturday.
"Professor Worley will be a determined, effective and passionate advocate for strengthening rural health outcomes across Australia," Dr Gillespie said in a statement.
"I look forward to working collaboratively with him to progress regional and rural health reform."
The South Australian based professor has practised as a GP in a number of rural locations, and from 2007 to 2017 was Dean of Medicine at Flinders University in South Australia.
He has also held senior leadership roles with the Rural Doctors Association of South Australia and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.
His appointment as rural health commissioner will help the government improve access to health services for those in rural, remote and regional Australia, Dr Gillepsie said.
Professor Worley will consult with a wide range of health professionals and stakeholders to improve rural health policies and champion the cause of rural practice.
His first priority will be to provide training, recognition and appropriate remuneration for the complex demands on doctors working outside major cities.
"While developing pathways for rural doctors is a top priority, the commissioner will also consider the needs of the nursing, dental health, pharmacy, indigenous health, mental health, midwifery, occupational therapy, physical therapy and allied health workforce in rural areas," Dr Gillepsie said.
