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Bookings are now officially open for the National Rural Conference 2025, which will take place online from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 September.
This is the Rural Services Network’s flagship event of the year, bringing together rural decision-makers, practitioners, and advocates for four days of live, interactive sessions focused on the future of rural communities.
Click here to book!
healthcare
NHS regional bosses have identified the East of England as a ‘trouble spot’ during this winter, according to the Health Service Journal. Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Trust in particular was singled out for ambulance handover delays, capacity shortage...
This newsletter is provided by the Rural Health Network, part of the Rural Services Network. It includes a roundup of rural health & social care news, research, learning and best practice. ...
The National Central for Rural Health and Care (NCRHC) was launched in Parliament on Tuesday. Several MPs attended the event, with Anne-Marie Morris, MP for Newton Abbot and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Rural Health and Social...
The University of Birmingham and Rose Regeneration have published a joint report into workforce challenges in the NHS and social care from a rural point of view. It found the main challenges for staffing in rural areas were: disproportionate...
A new survey by the charity Independent Age has revealed that chronic under-funding of social care means that older people are ‘increasingly let down’ by the system. During a survey of 2,000 English adults, 74% support free personal care...
More older people than ever are missing out on the vital care and support they need, says a report. Delayed hospital discharges due to a lack of social care are costing the NHS a staggering £500 a minute, new...
Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart has voiced concern over ambulance response times in rural East Yorkshire. Mr Stuart has written to Yorkshire Ambulance Service chief executive Rod Barnes following evidence of substantial local variation in emergency ambulance response...
The government's system of funding social care services is unsustainable and unfair for rural communities, the Rural Services Network has warned. Service providers operating across rural areas face inequitable costs compared to their urban counterparts for both adult...
Hundreds of people have signed a petition warning that GP practices in rural areas are struggling to recruit doctors. Started by Lincolnshire GP Ben Loryman, the petition says many rural surgeries facing recruitment difficultues. are being forced to close....
The Rural Services Network has voiced concern at the impact of cyber-attacks on rural doctors' surgeries. A major incident was declared after NHS Services across England and Scotland were hit by a large-scale cyber-attack on Friday (12 May). ...
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HOT TOPICS
Amid reduced public spending, fair resource allocation across regions is crucial. Despite a population larger than Greater London, rural areas receive significantly less funding for essential services, even though delivering these services in rural areas is more expensive.
Economic growth is widely acknowledged as essential for national wealth and prosperity and is a priority for political parties. Rural economies, employing millions and home to a higher proportion of small businesses, have potential for growth if barriers are removed.
Rural residents face distinct healthcare challenges, including limited access to transport, longer distances to medical facilities, an aging demographic, housing inadequacies, digital connectivity gaps, and difficulties recruiting health and care workers.
Rural communities are grappling with a severe affordable housing crisis, marked by high house prices, a lack of affordable housing, elevated living costs, and lower incomes, threatening their sustainability and vitality.
Transport is vital for the quality of life and economic health of rural areas, yet it faces challenges such as infrequent public bus services and less Government funding compared to urban regions.
Rural areas, encompassing a substantial portion of England's population and land, play a pivotal role in combating climate change and achieving the net zero target.
In an increasingly digital world, the lack of robust digital infrastructure in rural areas severely limits access to crucial services and stifles economic growth.
A future-focused vision for rural communities involves not just building the right homes in the right places but also ensuring thriving, sustainable communities.
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