Our People to Live Stronger & Longer

Month: March 2023

The AH&MRC Congratulates the Incoming Labor Government

Posted on by Pawas Gupta

The AH&MRC congratulates the Premier and Labor government on their election victory.

During its campaign, the ALP made several commitments to a fresh plan for healthcare, including:

  • Labor’s Fresh Start Plan will boost access for mental health services for young people by investing $17 million to the Kids Helpline over four years to increase their capacity to respond to a rising number of calls.
  • Labor will deliver long-term structural reform to the healthcare system by introducing minimum and enforceable Safe Staffing Levels to public hospitals, starting with emergency departments and then progressing out into other areas.
  • Labor will hire an additional 1,200 nurses.
  • Labor will hire 500 new paramedics in rural and regional areas. The new paramedics will be spread across areas in the State with the most need which will be determined following consultations with healthcare professionals.
  • Labor will boost workforce incentives for rural and regional GPs to support the engagement of nurses, allied health and other health professionals and provide multi-disciplinary team-based care.

The ALP also committed to pursuing a formal treaty process with First Nations People, including:

  • Committing $5 million to a 12-month consultation process with First Nations communities on a treaty process for New South Wales, ensuring a commitment to the principle of Treaty.
  • Labor announced that this process will begin after the referendum on The Voice in the second half of 2023.

The AH&MRC welcomes these commitments and the many others made by the ALP which will be critical in closing the gap in Aboriginal health outcomes.

ACCHOs across the country have continued to deliver high-quality integrated primary health care to Aboriginal communities, despite the ongoing challenges they are facing. It will therefore be crucial that the incoming government account for the Aboriginal Health workforce, Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health services and communities in their rollout.

 

The AH&MRC is committed to working with the new government to develop and deliver policies and programs for our people and we look forward to working in genuine partnership to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal communities.

MEDIA RELEASE_AH&MRC Congratulates the Incoming Labor Government

AH&MRC NSW State Election Priorities 2023

Posted on by Pawas Gupta

As the Aboriginal Health Peak Body in New South Wales, the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC NSW) is committed to working with the government of the day to develop and deliver policies and programs for our people. Over the years, the AH&MRC has been able to develop strong relationships with successive governments and ensured that they’ve been held to account for commitments made to our communities.

The NSW State election will be held on 25 March 2023. This election will appoint members of the 58th Parliament of New South Wales. Heading into this election, the AH&MRC’s wants to see a real commitment from the incoming government, to invest in Aboriginal health equity and put Aboriginal health in Aboriginal hands, in recognition of the vital role played by the Aboriginal community-controlled sector.

What we want to see:

  1. Supporting the Aboriginal Health Workforce
  2. Equitable Funding for community-controlled health services
  3. Investing in Aboriginal Health, Infrastructure
  4. Supporting Aboriginal governance across the health system
  5. Investing in holistic, muti-disciplinary models of care
  6. Closing the Gap

Read the full document here: AH&MRC Election Priorities 2023

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference 2023

Posted on by Pawas Gupta

Please join us at the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference 2023 (NATSIEHC23)

AH&MRC are the 2023 co-host of the 2023 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference (NATSIEHC23), which will be held on Dharug Country in Western Sydney from Wednesday 24 to Friday 26 May 2023. This is a First Nations-led, cross-sector Conference, organised annually since 2017. The 2023 Conference is led by the National Experts Group on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health (NEGATSIEH) through a Conference Leadership Group and supported by the Indigenous Eye Health Unit (IEHU) at The University of Melbourne.

Early-bird registration closes soon (28 February). General registrations are open to 1 May. Tickets are limited so we recommend registering early. Discounted rates are offered for First Nations delegates and delegates employed or on the board of an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation. To register, please click here  [embedded link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/2023-national-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-eye-health-conference-registration-516351650687 ]

Abstracts are open to 3 March, under the general Conference theme, Our Vision in Our Hands: Finding Our Voice. Abstracts preparation support is available. Please find more information on our website.

Awards: The 2023 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Awards, which are awarded at the Conference gala dinner, are open for nominations to 21 April. These awards have been handed to individuals, groups, and organisations that made a notable contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health. Organisers are particularly interested in identifying and acknowledging the many ‘unsung heroes’ in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health. Please find categories and registration information on our website.

Bursaries: Applications for bursaries are open to 31 March to support First Nations People to be able to attend and participate. Please see our website for more information and to apply.

This Conference is an exciting opportunity to immerse in discussions and connections with colleagues from across Australia, all working towards the shared commitment of ending avoidable vision loss and blindness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. All information about the Conference, registration, abstract preparation and submission and awards nominations, can be found on the Conference website. [embedded link: https://mspgh.unimelb.edu.au/centres-institutes/centre-for-health-equity/research-group/ieh/roadmap/conference/2023-NATSIEHC ]