Our People to Live Stronger & Longer

Month: February 2024

Countdown to AH&MRC Indigenous Health Summit 2024

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Calling Indigenous healthcare leaders! Directors, CEOs, Managers, Program Coordinators, and community leaders in Clinical and Medical, Community Engagement, Allied Health, and more – join the AH&MRC Indigenous Health Summit! Explore critical issues with powerful presentations by Stan Grant and the esteemed Dawn Casey PSM of NACCHO.

Engage in Panels on UN’s Declaration Rights, Incarceration, and Maternal Health Models. Dive into Yarning Circles on Smoking Cessation, Decolonising policy, and pandemic lessons. Elevate skills at the Leadership and Innovation Workshop by Nicole Turner.

The Summit will also include guest healing sessions proudly presented by Barrmarrany at the Indigenous Health Summit. Engage in cultural expressive therapy through sessions led by the esteemed Aunty Sylvia.

These sessions are a sanctuary for relaxation, creative rejuvenation, reflection and balance amongst the bustling atmosphere. There are two session available (Monday/Tuesday) and spaces for each session are limited, so save your spot now to avoid missing out.

But, there’s more!

We’re proud to present another feature of the Summit, Breakfast Bites: Conversations for Proud Partnerships in Comprehensive Primary Healthcare in collaboration with the University of Sydney.

Our panel will share practices that encourage and promote Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander leadership as the cornerstone of accessible comprehensive primary healthcare. This is an interactive conversation over a light breakfast – register now, places are limited.

Expression of Interest for Vaccination Support

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The public health team is requesting an EOI from ACCHOs wanting support for their yearly Influenza Vaccine clinics. We are offering to assist with vaccinating your patients and communities with the 2024 influenza vaccine as well as ensuring COVID vaccines are up-to-date.  

If you’re interested, please contact the Public Health team with potential dates; number of days required and approximate number of patients requiring vaccination. 

Cryptosporidiosis alert for NSW

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

After a steep recent increase in cryptosporidiosis cases across the state, NSW Health is advising the community not to swim for at least two weeks after they’ve had diarrhoea.​ 

498 cases of cryptosporidiosis have been reported in NSW so far in 2024, compared to the 5-year average of 95 cases for the same time period.​ 

Cryptosporidiosis is caused by the parasite, Cryptosporidium, which infects the intestine and is a common cause of acute diarrhoea in young children. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, fever, headache, and loss of appetite.​ 

People who have had diarrhoea should:​ 

  • avoid swimming for at least two weeks after your symptoms resolve​ 
  • avoid sharing towels for at least two weeks after your symptoms resolve​
  • avoid handling food for at least 48 hours after your symptoms resolve​ 
  • children who have diarrhoea should be kept home from preschool, childcare or playgroup until 24 hours after the diarrhoea has completely stopped.​ 

 NSW Health Alert 23 Feb 2024: Cryptosporidiosis alert for NSW – News​ 

Supporting People With Cancer (SPWC) Grant Initiative

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The Government has a new round of funding to support Australians living with cancer –  Supporting People with Cancer (SPWC) Grant initiative.The Australian Government, through Cancer Australia, is inviting grassroots community organisations and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations working to improve outcomes for people affected by cancer to apply for grants of up to $120,000 each.The SPWC Grant initiative, an annual program, aims to enhance support for individuals affected by cancer by promoting equity in cancer outcomes and experiences. This includes a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other priority population groups identified in the Australian Cancer Plan (ACP).Successful projects from the 2023 round tailored support for diverse population groups, such as Indigenous communities, regional and rural communities, children affected by cancer, LGBTQ+ people, and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Current Grant Opportunity View – GO6713: GrantConnect (grants.gov.au)

The deadline for submissions is 29 February 2024.

End of Life and Palliative Care NGO Grants Program

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

For further information on this grant opportunity, please visit the NSW Government Grants and Funding Finder listing and review the grant guidelines. Further information and responses to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can also be found on the NSW Health End of Life and Palliative Care website.

The End of Life and Palliative Care Grants Program aims to complement NSW Health palliative and end of life care services by supporting community initiatives to engage with death and dying. Projects or activities should address one or more of the following key objectives:

  • Increase death and grief literacy in the community.
  • Promote knowledge and implementation of Advanced Care Planning.
  • Provide increased support for bereavement, grief and loss for families and carers.

A total of up to $4 million in funding is available over four years (FY 2023/2024 – 2026/27) under the World Class End of Life Care commitment, with multiple grants of between $320,000 up to $800,000 available ($80,000 – $200,000 per year).

A minimum amount of $800,000 ($200,000 per year) will go towards proposals from Aboriginal community-controlled organisations (ACCHOs or ACCOs).

Any queries regarding the grants program or its application process should be directed to the NGO grants program inbox via MOH-PalliativeCare-NGOGrants@health.nsw.gov.au and will be responded to via the FAQs page on the NSW Health website.

Mental Health Support for Flood Affected Communities

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Many NSW communities have experienced repeated and regular flooding over the past few years, causing damage to homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods. There is a growing awareness that natural disasters such as floods can affect people’s mental health both short- and long-term.

To better understand your mental health needs following natural disasters, we ask that a member of your ACCHO team complete the survey: Mental Health Support for Flood Affected Communities.

Upon submission of your survey response, the AH&MRC will be granting each member service the opportunity to attend the Indigenous Health Summit held at the Sydney International Convention Centre (4th-6th March, 2024) free of charge, which will include travel and accommodation costs (up to the value of $3000 per service) reimbursed.

The AH&MRC’s Indigenous Health Summit is a great opportunity to collaborate with your peers from the Aboriginal Community Controlled Sector, and other health partners, as we work towards innovative and sustainable activities to promote and support mental health services in communities.

Find attached the provisional program for the summit here.

Please submit the survey by COB 9th February 2024.