About the Strengthening Care for Rural Children (SC4RC) Project
Children living in rural areas across Australia often face big challenges when it comes to getting the healthcare they need. Long wait times, a lack of nearby specialists, and the high cost and time required to travel to cities mean that many children don’t receive the right care early enough. This can lead to poorer health in childhood and more serious health problems later in life.
SC4RC (Strengthening Care for Rural Children) is a major research initiative designed to improve healthcare for kids in rural and regional areas of New South Wales and Victoria. It focuses on strengthening the skills of local GPs so they can confidently and effectively manage children’s health – without always needing to refer them to city-based hospitals or specialists.
Why It Matters
Nearly 1 in 5 rural children lives with a chronic health condition.
Families in rural areas often earn less and face more costs and disruptions when trying to access care.
Many conditions can be managed effectively in primary care, especially when GPs are well-supported.
By improving access to high-quality care close to home, SC4RC can reduce long-term health issues and improve life outcomes for rural kids.
Helping rural kids get the care they need - close to home.
What We’re Doing
SC4RC supports rural GPs in three key ways:
Co-consulting with Paediatricians – GPs and child health specialists work together to see patients, helping GPs build confidence and skills in managing common childhood conditions.
Quick support – GPs can reach out for advice via phone, email or telehealth when they need it.
Training & peer support – GPs join online sessions (called “Communities of Practice”) where they learn together and discuss real-life cases with other doctors and specialists.
This model means families can receive high-quality care locally, without the stress and cost of travelling long distances.
Goals
The SC4RC project is being carefully studied to measure:
Improvements in the quality-of-care children receive at their local GP.
Reduced referrals to emergency departments and hospital outpatient clinics.
Increased confidence in both GPs and parents when it comes to managing children’s health.
Better value for money across the health system.
The project is also training the next generation of clinician-researchers through three fully funded PhD positions and tailored health systems research training.
Where It’s Happening
SC4RC is being rolled out across 24 GP clinics in the Murrumbidgee (NSW) and Western Victoria regions. Every clinic will eventually take part in the program and contribute to the research, which will help shape how care is delivered across rural Australia.
What’s Next
If the program proves successful, SC4RC could become a new standard for rural child healthcare across Australia. The research team is working closely with government, professional colleges, and healthcare organisations to ensure the findings are used to influence future health policy and practice.