With the plan for the Murray Darling Medical Scheme proposal still not decided sponsor Charles Sturt University is promoting the next best thing, its new Three Rivers Department of Rural Health. It is part of a national programme from the federal government to expand health services in the bush. The Three Rivers (CMM suspects the third is the Murrumbidgee) will provide practise placements for nursing, midwifery and dentistry students in CSU’s heartland. CMM has no idea if this will also be the basis of a consolation prize from the feds if the MDMS does not get up.