Resources, Tools & Guidelines
On this page, we bring together a definitive collection of resources that provide guidance on standards, regulations, health initiatives and best practice.
It can be difficult to trace down the service standards, manuals and guidelines that govern, relate to or affect your field of remote and isolated health.
On this page, our professional services team have collated the official clinical standards, manuals and guidelines that are relevant to remote health nurses, midwives and practitioners.
Feel free to use this page as a reference guide to ensure best practice is followed within your workplace.
Everything Together in One Place
Below, we’ve grouped together governing standards and guidelines, along with manuals and personal development opportunities, information on COVID-19 and a list of health initiatives within Australia. You or your organisation may wish to draw upon this collection to improve your delivery of remote and isolated healthcare. Simply click on a category below to discover the relevant resources.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
Website
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet has provided support to those working in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector by making research and other knowledge readily accessible, contributing to closing the gap in health between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
Website
The purpose of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is to protect and improve the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life of people receiving Australian funded aged care. Information about the Aged Care Quality Standards along with other resources for the delivery of aged care services are held with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) Clinical Guidelines
Website
These clinical guidelines for acute coronary syndromes seek to provide help regarding the clinical care of patients presenting with suspected or confirmed ACS. They were published in 2016 by the National Heart Foundation of Australia and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand.
Practical guidance for ACS care in Australia was derived from the extensive evidence base regarding the clinical effectiveness of different interventions and treatment strategies. In addition to reviews of published trials and systematic reviews, guideline content was informed by other international clinical guidelines and local clinical expertise.
The National Rural and Remote Nursing Generalist Framework 2023–2027
Website
The National Rural and Remote Nursing Generalist Framework 2023 –2027 (the Framework) describes the unique context of practice and core capabilities for rural and remote Registered Nurses in Australia. It was developed and led by an expert steering committee of nursing peak body representative including CRANAplus. The Framework through domains and capabilities contextualises the comprehensive skill set necessary for nurses to work to their full scope of practice as rural and remote nursing generalists. Culturally Safe care in partnership with families, communities and multidisciplinary colleagues is intrinsic to the Framework.
Medicines Book for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners
Website
The Medicines Book is an illustrated, plain English medicines reference book. It is designed to be used by clinicians, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners who supply and monitor medicines and want to share information on medicines with people who have low levels of English literacy.
Clinical Procedures Manual for remote and rural practice
Website
The Clinical Procedures Manual is designed to support remote health practitioners who need to undertake a wide range of clinical procedures as part of providing a primary health care service. This challenging work often occurs in isolation and with populations experiencing high health needs and treatment delays. The Clinical Procedures Manual describes ‘how to do’ procedures covered in the other manuals in the suite.
CARPA Standard Treatment Manual
Website
This in-depth manual was initially developed in response to a critical need to support clinicians in remote and rural communities in Central Australia. Over time its use has extended to be used across other areas in remote Australia. The Manual supports clinicians who may not have remote-specific training but are expected to provide a wide range of clinical services in an unfamiliar and often challenging environment. The protocols cover ‘what to do’ in remote settings for conditions that are common, high risk, unfamiliar, or dangerous, have important public health implications and need coordinated, standardised care.
Women’s Business Manual
Publication
The Women’s Business Manual was initially developed in response to the wishes of Aboriginal women to keep women’s health private and separate from other health issues. It provides essential information and ‘what to do’ treatment guidelines for women’s health issues in remote Australia. This culturally respectful resource is particularly relevant for female doctors, midwives, nurses, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners.
Remote Primary Health Care Manuals Orientation Video
Video
Watch this short video for an introduction to the Remote Primary Health Care Manuals, including The Standard Treatment Manual, The Women’s Business Manual, The Clinical Procedures Manual and The Medicines Book. The eleven-minute video showcases each of the manuals and demonstrates how they are to be used, and where each manual will be most useful in remote practice.
Clinical Governance for Remote and Isolated Health
Website
This guide provides a brief history and overview of the clinical governance environment in Australia, and links to resources of value to remote and isolated health services, clinicians and anyone interested in safe and quality health care in remote and isolated communities. It is designed to develop clinical governance capacity.
Safety & Security for Rural & Remote Health Professionals – Factsheet for Employers
Publication
This factsheet explores actions and processes managers with responsibility for Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) can take to establish and maintain safety and security in remote and isolated health workplaces. These include commitment to ‘always accompanied’, Preparation for remote health practice, prioritisation of wellbeing, management and identification of risks and incidents, building a sustainable and stable workforce, and communication and connectivity.
Safety & Security for Rural & Remote Health Professionals – Factsheet for Individuals
Publication
This document provides guidance about measures that can be taken by remote health professionals to contribute to a safe and secure working and community environment. These include commitment to ‘always accompanied’, preparation for culturally safe remote health practice, prioritisation of wellbeing, management of risks and incidents, and building a sustainable and stable workforce.
Need further guidance or keen to upskill?
We also offer self-paced online courses and free reflective modules on a range of topics tailored to the remote setting. View all online courses and reflective modules.