Applications have now closed on for the 2017 Rural Women New Zealand and Access Community Health scholarship programme.
$39,000 has been awarded to rural health professionals in scholarship funds over the past 12 years. 

The $3000 scholarship is aimed at applicants who are working in a professional health field with rural connections, and who wish to further their studies in health or disability studies.

"Access Community Health is proud of its 90 year heritage providing home care to New Zealand communities. We are very pleased to support the progression and ongoing development of health professionals and services in New Zealand's rural communities." says Simon Lipscombe, Access Chief Executive.

The scholarship represents the ongoing special relationship between Access, now a member of the Green Cross Health group, and its founding organisation, Rural Women New Zealand.

“Since 2004, scholarship recipients have ranged from paramedics through to nurse practitioners,” says Fiona Gower, Rural Women New Zealand National President. “They have a common aspiration to undertake further training and develop their professional knowledge, so they can continue to provide quality health services in rural communities.”

Applications for the Rural Women New Zealand and Access Community Health Scholarship closed on 1 July 2017. Preference will be given to applicants who are studying at post-graduate level. 

The 2017 Scholarship recipient will be announced shortly.

The standard of applications was very high and the review panel could not separate the top two applicants. Felicity Lallier from Horowhenua and Jo Tiller from Greymouth will each receive a $3,000 fund to help support their health-related post graduate studies.

For Jo Tiller, caring is very much in the genes. Her father was a consultant physician and her mother worked as a nursing sister, exposing Jo to the world of health care from an early age. Jo plays a crucial role at Greymouth hospital where, having specialised in post anaesthesia care and recovery, she will be consolidating all her skills through her Post Graduate Diploma in Health Sciences - Rural Nursing.

“I'm very passionate about my nursing and consider it a gift to be able to help people recover. We help treat people from across the entire West Coast. Many people in our rural community have seasonal and outdoor livelihoods and often want their care and treatments catered around that. I am really inspired by the patient’s motivation and commitment to their role in the community.”

Felicity Lallier entered the health profession as a paramedic fairly late in life. Originally from New Zealand, she trained in the United States where she saw many differences in the types of emergencies compared with her home in Horowhenua. “There were a lot a big trauma situations whereas, here with such a large population of older people, we see a lot of falls and wound care,” she says. “In the United States we had access to closer facilities unlike here where patients can be 45-60 minutes away from emergency care.”

Felicity has a Paramedic Bachelor’s degree from Whitireia and is now studying for a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Science Paramedicine while working part time as an Intensive Care Paramedic with St John. Felicity's qualification and training will mean she will be able to provide an invaluable and extensive service to the rural community, consolidating a number of clinical skills including being able to use antibiotics and treating patients on the spot.

Access Community Health Chief Executive, Simon Lipscombe, says both women reflect the importance of the services provided, by helping support people to remain independent in their communities and homes. “We were impressed by the passion they both showed for their rural areas and their desire to continue their studies. We recognised the great benefits this would bring to the rural communities they serve.”

To ensure each recipient would receive $3000, Access Community Health and RWNZ contributed extra funds towards this year's scholarship. RWNZ’s Health Portfolio spokesperson Margaret Pittaway says “both women were outstanding in their commitment to their profession and very focused on using post-graduate health studies to improve care and treatment of patients in the rural community.”

Photo caption: Access Community Health and Rural Women New Zealand Scholarship winners Jo Tiller on the left and Felicity Lallier on the right.

A $3000 education scholarship is available for health professionals with an interest in the rural sector. 

The Rural Women New Zealand and Access Scholarship is aimed at applicants who are working in the health field with rural connections, and wish to further their studies in health or disability studies. Preference will be given to applicants who are studying at post-graduate level.

“Access is proud to support ongoing professional development for health professionals working in the rural community, and we are pleased to continue to offer the scholarship alongside Rural Women New Zealand,” says Simon Lipscombe, Chief Executive of Access.

Wendy McGowan, National President of Rural Women New Zealand says the organisation is committed to offering the scholarship to rural health professionals. “We advocate for equity in health services in rural communities on a par with urban areas. That includes upskilling our health professionals to offer quality information and advice to rural patients,” says Wendy McGowan.

Last year the scholarship was awarded to Heather Leong, a Community Registered Nurse based in Waikato. Heather intended to use the scholarship to fund her studies to complete an International Integrative Nurse Coach Certificate in the United States.

Heather planned to apply the skills gained from her studies in her nursing work in the Waikato rural community.

Applications close on 1 July 2016.

Click here for application information and form.

Applications have now closed for the Access NZ and Rural Women NZ scholarship. Watch this space for an update on the recipient for the 2015 scholarship.

“This $3000 scholarship will be awarded to a health professional to help further his or her studies,” says Rural Women New Zealand National President, Wendy McGowan.

We encourage health professionals, especially those studying at a post-graduate level, to apply before the closing date of 1 July.

“Given our rural focus, we are keen to support someone who has an interest in providing health or disability services in rural communities.”   

In 2014 the scholarship was awarded to Bay of Plenty nurse Ellen Walker (pictured above). Ellen is studying to become a rural health nurse practitioner, and used the $3000 scholarship to help fund her post-graduate diploma studies at the University of Auckland. 

We warmly welcome the appointment of Dame Margaret Millard DCNZM, JP to the board of Green Cross Health.

This will bring a rural perspective to the company’s operations, reflecting the original focus and unique strengths of Access Homehealth Limited, which Rural Women New Zealand sold to Green Cross Health on 1 December 2014.

“We are delighted that Dame Margaret has accepted this position on the Green Cross Health board,” says our national president Wendy McGowan.

“Dame Margaret is a visionary leader and thinker who will ensure that the rural voice is heard during the many changes taking place, particularly in the homecare sector.”

Dame Margaret is a past president of Rural Women New Zealand, and served for nine years on the board of Access Homehealth Limited.

She brings not only a rural focus, but also a strong health and community background to the directorship with Green Cross Health. Amongst other governance roles, she has been a member of the NZ Red Cross Board and has also served on the Nursing Council of New Zealand.

Dame Margaret Millard was awarded the Dame Companion New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002 for services to the rural community. She has a farming background through her involvement with family beef and dairying operations in the Manawatu, and represents the Rural Support Trust in Manawatu-Rangitikei.

Green Cross Health chairman, Peter Merton says, “We are honoured that Dame Margaret Millard has accepted our invitation to join the board of Green Cross Health.  Dame Margaret’s experience and knowledge will be a tremendous asset to us as we focus on developing and delivering seamless primary health services to benefit everyone in New Zealand. Dame Margaret brings a wealth of experience in the care sector, nursing and awareness of the issues affecting rural communities.”

It was an historic moment when our National Council made an announcement to members on Monday 17 November that it has accepted an offer from Green Cross Health for the purchase of Rural Women New Zealand’s shares in Access Homehealth Limited. There are a number of Conditions Precedent to meet which we are confident will be satisfied. The change of ownership is expected to come into effect in December.

This was a significant decision for our National Council given the origins of Access Homehealth, which evolved from the bush nurse and housekeeping schemes, set up in the mid-1920s by members of the Women's Division of the Farmers Union. The pioneering work of our members, and the tireless work of Access CEO Graeme Titcombe growing the business to what it is today is acknowledged. He is pictured above with outgoing chair, John Ayling, board member Pamela Storey and Green Cross chairman, Peter Merton.

Access is now one of the largest providers of homecare services in the country, contracted to DHBs, the Ministry of Health and ACC. Today the business is a sophisticated one, requiring significant ongoing investment in technology, a commitment to training and a move towards an integrated service model of delivery.

In considering the $18 million offer from Green Cross Health, National Council looked at whether Access remained a core service for Rural Women New Zealand. Could we make better use of the capital for the benefit of our members and the wider rural community?  We believe so.

Green Cross Health will retain the name and brand of Access Homehealth and will provide continued employment to all its staff. Green Cross Health is listed on the NZ Stock Exchange and is a leading primary healthcare provider through its pharmacy, medical and community healthcare divisions. For its part, the purchase of Access Homehealth will enhance its ability to offer integrated healthcare solutions nationwide. 

While the sale of Access is a significant step, Rural Women New Zealand's National Council believes it is the right one and offers exciting opportunities and a strong financial future for our organisation.

Media links:

Green Cross NZX Announcement

NBR announcement

NZ Doctor

Access Homehealth website

The 2014 Rural Women NZ/Access Homehealth scholarship has been awarded to Bay of Plenty nurse Ellen Walker.

Ellen is studying to become a rural health nurse practitioner, and will use the $3000 scholarship to help fund her post-graduate diploma studies at the University of Auckland.

Ellen’s goal is to become a rural nurse practitioner in Opotiki, the community she grew up in and where she currently works in general practice.

“I am immensely grateful for the support from Rural Women NZ and Access Homehealth,” says Ellen. “Born and bred a country girl I understand what it is to be rural and what it takes to deal with illnesses in a rural setting. Distance can be a big issue. My aim to improve access to quality health care for rural New Zealand.”

Access Homehealth CEO, Graeme Titcombe, says, “Ellen was chosen for her academic excellence, professional dedication in providing medical care to rural communities, and for the potential benefit her study can bring to the rural sector she serves.”

The annual Rural Women NZ/Access Homehealth scholarship is given to health worker who wishes to further their health or disability studies at post-graduate level, with a focus on the rural sector. Ellen was chosen from a strong field of 20 applicants.

Ellen has already completed a non-prescribing practicum and is an advanced nurse in rural practice, having completed a Masters of Nursing last year.

Her new studies will enable her to prescribe medications, following changes to the New Zealand Nursing Council’s scope of practice for nurse practitioners last year.

Enjoying eighty 

At 80 years old most people are winding down, enjoying a well earned rest and perhaps settling into a comfortable routine. Not so Northland support worker Rongo Curry who recently celebrated her 80th birthday.

Rongo joined Access as a support worker at the sprightly age of 69 in 2003, where she remains an inspiration, actively working 3-4 days a week split between day and night shifts. 'Turning eighty, I couldn't have enjoyed it as much were it not for being able to continue working with Access,' she says. 'It keeps me active.'

Applications are now open for Rural Women NZ & Access Homehealth scholarship 2014.

“This $3000 scholarship will be awarded to a health professional to help further his or her studies,” says Rural Women New Zealand National President, Wendy McGowan.

We encourage health professionals, especially those studying at a post-graduate level, to apply before the closing date of 1 July.

“Given our rural focus, we are particularly keen to support someone who has an interest in providing health or disability services in rural communities.”

Last year the scholarship went to Otago paramedic, Annabel Taylor, who has furthered her studies with a postgraduate diploma in specialty care.

Click here for more information and applications forms

Annabel Taylor is no stranger to rural medical emergencies and farm accidents, and now she’ll be even better equipped to deal with them, thanks to winning this year’s $3,000 Rural Women NZ/Access Scholarship.

As a St John paramedic based in Taieri, Annabel works for both the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter and the Dunedin ambulance service, responding to calls for help from the rural community.

The scholarship will help cover Annabel’s expenses as she studies for a year-long Postgraduate Certificate in Speciality Care, Advanced Paramedic Practice at Whitireia Polytechnic in Porirua, near Wellington.  The course includes distance learning and she’ll also be flying to Wellington six times a year for block courses.

Access CEO, Graeme Titcombe, says, “Annabel was chosen for her academic excellence, professional dedication in providing medical care to remote and isolated rural communities, and for the potential benefit her study can bring to the rural sector she serves.”

The annual Rural Women NZ/Access Scholarship is given to health worker who wishes to further their health or disability studies at post-graduate level, with a focus on the rural sector.  Annabel was chosen from a strong field of 30 applicants.

Annabel says she is absolutely delighted to be awarded the scholarship. When she’s completed her training she will be apply to become an intensive care paramedic.

 “I believe the rural sector is deserving of the most highly educated and skilled health professionals available, whether this be in the form of a rescue helicopter crew or a metropolitan ambulance meeting a rural crew on the side of the road to help in a crisis.”

Annabel already holds a PRIME nursing qualification and post graduate diploma in health sciences.

Annabel's win was featured in the ODT.  More