Our People to Live Stronger & Longer

Strengthening the Healthcare Workforce: First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program Launched

More than 190 First Nations healthcare trainees have embarked on a transformative journey as the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) launch the First Nations Health Worker Traineeship (FNHWT) program.

Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, Assistant Minister for Indigenous health was in attendance for the launch, held today at the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia on Kaurna Country (Adelaide). The FNHWT program aims to certify up to 500 First Nations individuals as either Aboriginal Health Workers or Aboriginal Health Practitioners by 2027.

First Nations health professionals play a crucial role in delivering culturally safe care that is responsive to community needs. The FNHWT program is a pivotal step in addressing the gap in our health system by significantly increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in the health workforce. The training, delivered by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Registered Training Organisations (ACCHRTOs), involves on-the-job experience, ideally on Country, addressing critical workforce shortages in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs).

In alignment with the government’s commitment to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Priority Reforms the program has been developed and designed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and is being delivered in genuine partnership with government. As part of the $54.3 million program, NACCHO has also developed a holistic traineeship framework for ACCHOs to partner with ACCHRTOs, ensuring trainees receive culturally safe academic support.

First Nations people interested in joining the program can find out more at First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. 

In addition to the FNHWT program, NACCHO has initiated a demonstration project which will increase the training
and assessing workforce within ACCHRTOs. The project was designed to address the increasing demand for broader qualifications, across social and emotional wellbeing, counselling, mental health, and community services, which are currently limited due to shortages of qualified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Vocational Education and Training (VET) trainers and assessors.

Together, the FNHWT program and the Trainer and Assessor demonstration project provide a more holistic approach to closing the healthcare gap and cultivating a robust, culturally competent First Nations healthcare workforce.

Quotes attributable to Donnella Mills, NACCHO Chair:
Donnella Mills, NACCHO Chair, commented, “The First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program not only
strengthens pathways for our existing workforce but also opens doors for individuals in local communities to embark on careers as Health Workers and Health Practitioners.

“Community controlled RTOs, like the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia, provide the backbone of this program, developing a robust Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce and providing culturally embedded training, which is a central part to strong completion rates.

“This Traineeship program emphasises our commitment to investing in the invaluable work of our RTOs and supporting ACCHOs to provide clinical placements for students. Together, we continue to shape a resilient and culturally competent healthcare workforce for our communities.”

 

Quotes attributable to Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy stated, “The First Nations Health Worker Traineeship program is built on a foundation of collaboration and cooperation and is part of the Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap.

“Today, I was pleased to meet the students, trainers, Aboriginal Community Controlled RTOs, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and Services and listen to their experience with the First Nations Health Worker Traineeship program.

“Over the coming years, communities around the country will enjoy the benefits of more First Nations health workers providing culturally safe, quality care.

“By holistically and fully supporting trainees, this program is setting them up for success. They will go on to jobs across the health system and help grow the capacity of mainstream services to better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.”

Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia appoint new CEO

The board of the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia is pleased to welcome and announce Tanya McGregor as their new CEO.

Tanya is a proud Yaruwu (Broome) woman who has lived and worked most of her life on the lands of the Larrakia people in the Northern Territory and now on the Kaurna land in South Australia.

Most recently Tanya represented Aboriginal Health in the role of Chief Aboriginal Health Officer for SA Health where she provided system leadership at a state and national level with both government departments and non-government partners. In this role she engaged c0mmunity and collaborated with partners in system wide policy and planning to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people and their communities. Tanya has extensive experiences on Committees, Boards and Ministerial Councils.

Tanya is currently the Co-Chair of the Aboriginal Cricket Advisory Committee for SACA and the SA representative on the Cricket Australia Indigenous Advisory Committee and a Director on the Fay Fuller Foundation. She also previously served on the Rostrevor College Board and NT Softboard Board where she was awarded Life Membership.

With more than 10 years’ experience at a senior and executive level developing state-wide Aboriginal health strategy and policy across South Australia and the Northern Territory, Tanya brings her extensive experience and knowledge to AHCSA to guide the organisation to achieve our strategic objectives.

Expressions of Interest for AH&MRC Ethics Committee Members & External Reviewers

The Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (NSW) Human Research Ethics Committee is accepting applications to join the Committee for External Reviewers. The role of the AH&MRC Ethics Committee is to assess research proposals affecting the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people and communities in NSW, and to monitor the collection of data on Aboriginal health to ensure these activities will be conducted ethically.  

This role is endorsed by the NSW Health Department and embodied within the NSW Aboriginal Health Information Guidelines which guide all NSW government agencies responsible for the management of Aboriginal health and health-related information. The Committee includes an array of representatives of the AH&MRC Board, members of local ACCHS’s, Aboriginal elders, lay representatives of the Aboriginal community and members who have qualifications and extensive experience in medicine, medical research, clinical work and health-related law.

The AH&MRC Ethics Committee is currently seeking expressions of interest from young people 18 to 24 years, Aboriginal Health Workers, Medical Doctors and Lay People who would be interested in joining the Ethics Committee or External Reviewer Panel. The reviews conducted by external reviewers are voluntary and external reviewers do not attend HREC meetings. Ethics Committee members will be required to attend HREC meetings.

To register an expression of interest in joining the AH&MRC Ethics Committee or being part of the External Reviewer Panel please email your CV to ethics@ahmrc.org.au.

The AH&MRC Ethics Committee will be holding an induction for all appointed committee members and external reviewers.

Marumali Program

Marumali Program® at Work is for service providers who work with Stolen Generations Survivors and their families.

In this workshop you will:

  • Get to know the widespread impact of forcible removal and the potential paths for recovery
  • Recognise the signs and symptoms of trauma from forcible removal in clients, their family members and others involved with your service
  • Avoid re-traumatising Stolen Generations Survivors
  • Support you and your organisation to respond in a culturally safe way by integrating this into workplace policies, procedure and practices.

The 4 day workshop empowers your team to provide safe, appropriate and effective support to Stolen Generations survivors, their families and communities.

In this workshop you will learn about:

  • assessing clients’ social and emotional wellbeing
  • give appropriate support and referral.
  • identify protective factors and holistic support resources

Knowledge and skills:

  • Understand and address the issues of trauma associated with forcible removal policies and practices.
  • Learn healing strategies that respect the rights of survivors to control the pace, direction and outcomes of their own journey.

Date: 9th – 12th July 2024
Time: 9am – 4pm
Location: Quest at Preston
Fee: $2900 (inclusive of catering, workshop resources, certificate and workbook on completion).

REGISTER HERE.

Closing the Gap Priority Reform 4

It’s that time again – the NSW PR4 Team are getting back on the road to consult with the Aboriginal communities of NSW regarding Closing the Gap Priority Reform 4. Success for this Priority Reform would see Aboriginal communities having ownership and control over their information, stories, knowledges, arts and so on.

Within our upcoming round of workshops, the PR4 Team will provide an overview on what we heard during last year’s community workshops for Aboriginal Data Sovereignty & Governance. We will then talk through what it could look like for communities to develop and practice their own Aboriginal Data Governance, including what reforms and resources might be needed to support this in NSW.

Our first week of workshops will include the following locations:

Tuesday April 2nd, 10am – 2pm: Newcastle 

Wednesday April 3rd, 10am – 2pm: Port Macquarie

Thursday April 4th, 10am – 2pm: Grafton

Friday April 5th, 10am – 2pm: Tweed Heads

Please click the link of your preferred location to register.

Morning tea & lunch will be provided – just email us to let us know if you have any dietary requirements and state the location that you will be attending.

Note 1: Some addresses are still TBC – keep an eye out for our emails or social media posts which will announce these details once finalised.

Note 2: There are more workshops to be announced in the following locations:

Tamworth, Moree, Lightning Ridge, Walgett, Eden, Bateman’s Bay, Nowra, Redfern, Dubbo, Orange, Nyngan, Albury and Griffith. If you are local to these, please wait for their announcement before registering. Please also let us know if your community is not on our list but may have interest in us visiting to hold a workshop for PR4.

Attainment in Automotive Foundations Skills – Apprenticeship Opportunities

TAFE NSW and Veolia are looking for candidates who wish to become apprentices and work with Veolia.

This program is attainment and is 1 week practical and theory with TAFE NSW at Ultimo and candidates will then participate in work experience and then into employment.

This is an exciting opportunity for those who are keen in working as a diesel mechanics.

Candidates will need to have steel capped boots for this program.

Please register your interest here.

Any questions please call Carol-Ann on 0459 882 306 or email carol-ann.flanagan1@tafensw.edu.au

ODPP First Nations Advisory Group

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is currently seeking expressions of interest from First Nations people engaged in the criminal justice and related sectors for membership within its First Nations Advisory Group (FNAG).

FNAG will be the primary consultation body on First Nations affairs and issues as they relate to the ODPP’s operations, its staff, and the criminal justice system in NSW.

We are particularly seeking expressions of interest from First Nations people who have experience working with complainants and victims of crime, including in the health sector.

In order to get as much traction as possible, I was hoping that you could distribute the attached call for expressions of interest within your networks, including within the local bodies and organisations that AHMRC represents.

Send through any questions about FNAG via AGay@odpp.nsw.gov.au or through FNAG@odpp.nsw.gov.au.

AH&MRC RTO Update

AH&MRC have successfully passed the ASQA audit and have been awarded a 7-year Certificate of Registration for the RTO.  This achievement is a huge deal for AH&MRC, especially after the rollercoaster ride the past couple of years have been, trying to rebuild post-COVID.

A special shoutout to our AH&MRC Training team. Their hard work and determination have really paid off, bringing this amazing win home for all our AH&MRC members.

Appointment of David MacQueen as Acting CEO of Katungal AMS

The Katungul Aboriginal Corporation Regional Health and Community Services Board is happy to announce the appointment of David MacQueen as Acting CEO, effective 9th February 2024.

David plans on making his transition from Katungul COO to Acting CEO as seamless and effective as possible for both stakeholders and staff.

David replaces Kayeleen Brown who led Katungul for the last two years prior to her leaving. “I thank Kayeleen for her leadership and congratulate her on the achievements of Katungul during her appointment. I thank her for the support and guidance she showed as our community faced unprecedented hardship over the past two years.”

Katungul looks forward to working with David to further the work of providing holistic and culturally appropriate health and wellbeing services for and with Aboriginal Communities.

2024 Indigenous Allied Health Australia National Conference

The 2024 IAHA National Conference recognises the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the diversity of our membership, as well as interdisciplinary actions within the allied health sector. IAHA recognises how sustained holistic, strengths-based approaches to health and wellbeing can achieve health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

The 2024 IAHA National Conference recognises the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the diversity of our membership, as well as interdisciplinary actions within the allied health sector. IAHA recognises how sustained holistic, strengths-based approaches to health and wellbeing can achieve health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

National Conference delegates will experience the following:

  • Professional development that challenges them both personally and professionally
  • Networking opportunities with likeminded people within a culturally diverse and safe space
  • Opportunities for growth, learning and healing
  • A Gala celebration of excellence in the Indigenous allied health sector
  • Enriching cultural experiences

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Call for Abstracts Open – 25 March 2024
  • IAHA Member Scholarship Applications Open – 25 March 2024
  • 2024 National Indigenous Allied Health Award Nominations open – 5 May 2024
  • Earlybird Registrations Open – 3 June 2024

For more information, please contact amanda@iaha.com.au