Month: December 2020

NSW Health has linked 28 cases to the Northern Beaches cluster in Sydney, including a person who has since travelled to Queensland. Genomic testing has revealed the outbreak is an international strain of COVID-19 but authorities still do not know how it got into the community.

There are significant concerns there will be the risk of Community transmission in NSW, and health official strongly urges everyone to take the right steps to slow the spread and keep our Communities safe.

NSW Health recommends everyone to regularly check the NSW Health website to get reliable information, check the list of infected COVID-19 locations and follow the health advice. The NSW Government will also provide regular COVID-19 case counts every day at 11am as the situation continues to evolve.

“Anyone who feels unwell with flu-like symptoms such as a fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose or shortness of breath must immediately have a COVID-19 test and follow the advice from their healthcare professional while waiting for their results. Getting a #swab4mob is the best way to keep each other safe right now,” said Robert Skeen, AH&MRC CEO.

Remember, some people infected with COVID-19 may show no symptoms. NSW Health urges anyone who visited any of the listed infected locations goes to their nearest COVID-19 testing clinic even if they show no symptoms of COVID-19. People living in the Northern beaches need to stay home and get tested if they feel unwell.

A full list of COVID-19 testing clinics is available here.

While waiting for test results people need to self-isolate at home. Even if they get a negative test result, people must self-isolate for 14 days. COVID-19 can still develop up to 14 days after contact with a person with COVID-19.

“If you have need support to find a way to keep apart from others in your home call your local Aboriginal Medical Service for assistance. We will help you and your family stay safe. Self-isolation is an important measure to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our Community and reduce the possibility of spreading the virus to Elders, family members and friends, who may become severely unwell with COVID-19.” said Robert Skeen.

AH&MRC urges everyone to continue following key measures to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in NSW. You can do this by;

• Regularly check the NSW Health website for the latest health advice and information. Consider downloading the COVID safe app. This will help NSW quickly contact you should you have contact with an infected person.
• Practice good hygiene measures such as regularly wash your hands, cover your cough and sneezes and keep 2 big steps apart from others or wear a mask in crowded areas e.g. public transport, shopping etc.
• If you or anyone in your family is feeling unwell with flu-like symptoms #swab4mob at your closest COVID-19 testing clinic. Call your Aboriginal Medical Service for more information, especially if you have any concerns about the recent outbreaks across New South Wales or call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For all media enquiries, please contact:

Nadia Ruben
Communications and Marketing Manager, AH&MRC
E: nruben@ahmrc.org.au | T +61 2 9212 4777

The NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (CAPO) and NSW Government have agreed on governance arrangements to guide the development of the NSW Jurisdictional Plan to deliver on our Closing the Gap commitments.

CAPO Co-Chair and joint Chair of the Senior Governance Group (SGG), Councillor Charles Lynch welcomed the new approach by the Minister and NSW Government.

“The National Agreement is a new way of doing business, based on partnership and shared decision making between Aboriginal people and governments,” Cr Lynch said.

“For too long, policy failed because Governments focused on doing things to or for Aboriginal people, rather than with us.  It’s pleasing to see the Minister’s commitment to develop a genuine partnership of equals.”

The first meeting of the SGG was a significant milestone in progressing the NSW implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

“By working together in a partnership with Aboriginal communities, organisations and Government, this meeting achieved clear agreement on the actions that each party needs to take to deliver a collaborative NSW Jurisdictional Plan by July 2021.

“This is a complex challenge, and I was extremely grateful to hear all of the voices in the room. I am thankful for the ambition and passion of our partners as we work through shared decision-making to map out how NSW will implement the National Agreement,” Cr Lynch said.

The SGG will oversee the distribution of $20 million over four years from the 2020-21 NSW Budget for Closing the Gap, and support for the equal participation of Aboriginal communities in priority reforms.

In addition to Co-Chairs, the SGG is comprised of representatives of CAPO members NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW, NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, Link-Up (NSW), Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT), AbSec – NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation, and First Peoples Disability Network as well as Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) Secretary Tim Reardon.

For more information:

Email the CAPO Secretariat: caposecretariat@alc.org.au

Last month, the Federal Government announced funding of $5.9 million over the next two years to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have better access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

As part of this, The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) received funding to assist Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation – Affiliates and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) strengthen NDIS services with Indigenous Communities.

Minister Stuart Robert stated that ‘Through our ACCHOs we will leverage our relationships within local communities to improve access to culturally appropriate support under the NDIS for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability living in urban, regional and remote communities.’

The Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW (AH&MRC) received funds to employ an NDIS Engagement and Sustainability Officer (ESO). The primary focus of the NDIS ESO will be to assist ACCHOs where appropriate to:

• Support reliable access, choice, and control of NDIS services available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in their local communities.
• Increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NDIS registered providers in urban, regional, and remote communities.
• Assist with the expansion of existing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander regional and remote communities to include NDIS services.
• Raise community awareness within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the NDIS and enhance participant registration.

Robert Skeen, CEO at the AH&MRC welcomes the opportunity. ‘This funding will help us support ACCHOs to deliver more in the NDIS space. We want to make sure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with a disability can easily access culturally-safe care now, and always.’

The newly funded position is a small win for the sector and puts Aboriginal health back in Aboriginal hands.

“We look forward to recruiting an Aboriginal person to work with our Services and help them transition and operate as an NDIS provider in the local area. NDIS should have a positive impact on their lives of Aboriginal people, no matter where they live,” said Shana Quayle, Sector Support Manager at the AH&MRC.

The AH&MRC sees this new position as the first step in the right direction to grow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NDIS market and workforce, and will continue to push the Morrison Government to further invest in the ACCHOs sector.

For more information about the NDIS Engagement and Sustainability Officer position please contact AH&MRC’s Sector Support Manager, Shana Quayle via Squayle@ahmrc.org.au.

For all media enquiries, please contact:

Nadia Ruben
Communications and Marketing Manager,  AH&MRC
E: nruben@ahmrc.org.au | T +61 2 9212 4777