Our People to Live Stronger & Longer

Month: September 2024

25th IUSTI World Congress

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Our Sexual Health Nurse Kodie and Head of Member Engagement Lockie attended the 25th IUSTI World Congress in Sydney last week. 

Some highlights… 

Lockie was impressed with the advantage of using Point of Care testing for rapid results and treatment of common STIs including chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomonas and recognised the potential for further use within our NSW ACCHOs. 

There was the global awareness of emerging Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in the treatment of STIs including gonorrhoea and trichomonas that we continue to monitor within the Australian context. 

Several innovative prevention and intervention methods are currently under review around the world to assist STI management, so watch this space! 

Mpox notifications on the rise 

A common theme and discussion throughout the conference and within our current environment in NSW was Mpox. 

381 cases of Mpox have been reported in NSW since June 2024.   

Services within NSW need to have a low threshold for all sexually active people with any Mpox symptoms. It’s important to promote vaccination in all men who have sex with men (MSM) and sex workers, and their sexual partners. JYNNEOS Vaccination remains the recommended vaccine, and its clinic site availability can be found here. If you are having difficulty accessing the vaccine in your area please contact us at publichealth@ahmrc.org.au for assistance. 

Our STI resources were a hit! 

AH&MRC also had the opportunity to showcase the many sexual health resources to the national and international sexual health community.  

Don’t forget our members can order these amazing resources (free) from our shop or by contacting our Sexual Health Nurse Kodie at kalderton@ahmrc.org.au 

What do ACCHOs need to support community members on their QUIT journey?

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Addressing the prevalence of smoking and vaping in our communities presents a significant public health challenge. To support our member services in their tobacco control initiatives, AH&MRC is working with other stakeholders to ensure the ACCHO workforce has access to appropriate training and resources that can be utilised to support those wanting to quit smoking and vaping.  

Why Your Input Matters 

We want you to tell us what you need! So, as well as talking to many of you in person, we have developed a short survey to gather information aimed to ensure future training programs and resources are tailored to the needs of healthcare workers in ACCHOs. By completing this survey, you can help AH&MRC identify potential opportunities to increase the success of smoking and vaping cessation strategies and resources used in communities. 

What the Survey Covers 

The survey has 3 sections designed to gather your insights including: 

  1. Resources and Training: questions about the current resources available to assist clients in quitting smoking or vaping and what additional resources could improve the services’ capacity to support them. 
  2. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): questions about funding, training, and support related to NRT products. 
  3. Opportunity for you to provide any additional feedback and/or suggestions.  

How to Complete the Survey:  

Completing the survey is straightforward and it will take just a few minutes of your time.

You can click on this link: SMOKING AND VAPING CESSATION SUPPORT: GAP ANALYSIS FOR ACCHOs  or scan the following code: 

Your experiences and feedback are vital to this initiative. If you would like to speak to us about your experience or suggestions, please reach out to asavidis@ahmrc.org.au or publichealth@ahmrc.org.au  and we will arrange to call you. 

Knockout Health Challenge: Program Naming Competition

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

A new name for the program 

NSW Health have been listening to community and making improvements to the Knockout Health Challenge. They’ve heard that there might be some confusion when it comes to the program name and the NSW Koori Rugby League Knockout. However, we’ve also heard some love our name just the way it is. So, here’s a way to have your say about how we identify!  

How to get involved  

You, and your community are invited to send us your name suggestions  

They want the name to be chosen by and resonate with community, and inspire change, leading to a stronger and healthier mob.   

So put your thinking caps on and send them your suggestions via the online survey linked below. You can submit a name on behalf of your KHC team, or as an individual.  

Knockout Health Challenge – program name competition.  

The survey closes 6 December 2024. 

Next steps

In 2025, they will select the top suggestions and put it back to us for a vote.

When thinking of name ideas, remember:  

  • Our vision is for a program that reflects the whole of family approach and inspires change that leads to a stronger and healthier community.
  • It’s no longer a weight-loss program, the focus is on holistic health
  • We are no longer associated with the NSW Koori Rugby League Knockout
  • The program is a NSW wide 10-week program for the whole family
  • It’s led by community for community
  • It supports healthy lifestyles such as healthy eating and active living

If you really like the ‘Knockout Health Challenge’ you can suggest it in the survey.

Win prizes for your suggestions

They have several prizes up for grabs for entering the competition, such as:

  • Randomly selected prizes for any Knockout Health Challenge 2024 or individual who suggests a name
  • A prize for any Knockout Health Challenge 2024 teams and individuals whose name is selected in the shortlist for voting
  • Randomly selected prizes for an individual who votes
  • Prize for person/team whose name is the winner

Let’s get creative and start thinking about new name suggestions!

New Options for Cervical Screening

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

There is a new campaign to help you choose how to do your Cervical Screening Test (once called a Pap smear). 

If you’d rather not have the test done by a doctor, you can opt for a self-swab at the clinic. It’s quick, private, and something you can do yourself. If you visit your Aboriginal Health Service, it should be free of charge.

Women and people with a cervix aged 25-74 should have a Cervical Screening Test every 5 years. 

While it may be a tough conversation, sharing this information with your mob and friends could save lives.

Talk to your healthcare worker or visit the Own It website for more information.

More medicines available for 60-day prescriptions

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Almost 300 medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) can now be prescribed for 60 days.

If you or your mob take regular PBS medications, you may be able to get twice the amount on one script, meaning fewer trips to the pharmacy.

Your healthcare worker will decide the best amount of medicine based on your current health needs.

Have a yarn with your healthcare worker to see if this is right for you!

Visit the Cheaper Medicines website for more information.

Caddyshack Project Surfboard Competition?

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Have you entered the Caddyshack Project Surfboard Competition?

Simply text: ‘Share Affection Not Infection’ and your Postcode to Caddyshack Project on 0434 568 233.

You will get a reply text. Enter as many times as you like.

The winner will be drawn 1st December to acknowledge World AIDS Day.

See previous Surfboards.

This year’s artwork is provided by local artist Zach Bennett Brook. You can check out more of his stunning work at Saltwater Dreamtime.

SEXtember @UNSW

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

On behalf of UNSW’s Health Promotion Unit and Safer Communities team – they’re delighted to share their annual sexual wellbeing festival: SEXtember @UNSW with you.

This year they’ve partnered with universities across Australia to bring you a range of online and in person events. 

Living Poetry Project | All SEXtember | Online and at Helen Maguire Lawn 

Explore four student poems and the collective love poem, Salty Sweet. The Living Poetry project is on display in The Helen McGuire Lawn all SEXtember and the online exhibition can be viewed now! 

Breaking the Cycle – She is Not Your Rehab | Tuesday 24th September, 12-1pm | Zoom  

How do we tackle gendered-based violence through a mental health lens? Brought to you by the UNSW Mental Health Network, Matt Brown, TEDx speaker and author of She Is Not Your Rehab will discuss this in this special webinar. Registrations essential! 

Curious about what else is on this SEXtember? We’ve got you covered with more events, free courses and loads of information on safe and healthy sex and relationships on the SEXtember website. Check it out!  

Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme 2025 round now open

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA), together with partners the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP) and Rural Doctors Network (RDN), are proud to announce that applications are now open for the 2025 Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme (PHMSS).

The Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship is named in honour of Dr Arnold ‘Puggy’ Hunter, a pioneering leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing, whose many contributions shaped and influenced the Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health sector we know today. Puggy fought uncompromisingly for the cause of Aboriginal health, yet was regarded respectfully, even affectionately, by his counterparts in politics and government.

Consortium members are working with the Hunter family and key partners to deliver a culturally safe and responsive scholarship program which empowers our future health, mental health and social sector workforce and one that reflects Puggy’s passion and commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and self-determination across the health workforce and sector.

Scholarships opened on Monday 2 September 2024 for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students studying or enrolling in an entry level health course. The program offers financial assistance, cultural mentoring and a range of other supports to break down the barriers to completing university and VET sector studies and empower students to succeed.

Kamilaroi woman and IAHA Chairperson, Nicole Turner, said “many of our members have benefited in their studies as Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship recipients and progressed into the health workforce in clinical and non-clinical roles achieving their aspirations in health leadership. We know the important role that financial assistance plays in student success, but we’re excited to wrap our culturally safe and responsive supports around recipients to ensure they receive the cultural, personal, and professional mentoring, across their journey”.

Bundjalung man and NAATSIHWP Chairperson, David Follent, added “NAATSIHWP have a long history with the Puggy Hunter Scholarship and is pleased to be working with IAHA and RDN to ensure that we grow our future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce, across all disciplines, led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people”.

“RDN is delighted to continue to work alongside two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations in the delivery of such an important program. We are privileged to complement IAHA and NAATSIHWP’s cultural leadership and care with the program and operational delivery expertise in ensuring Puggy Hunter Scholarship applicants and recipients are provided the best quality support and service” said RDN Chief Operating Officer, Mike Edwards.

The Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care and provides Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students up to $15,000 per annum for full time students, for the normal duration of their studies. Applications for the 2025 round close midnight Sunday 20 October.

Media enquiries

Paul Gibson | Chief Operating Officer | paul@iaha.com.au
Indigenous Allied Health Australia | (02) 6285 1010 or scan for more information on the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship.

Helping Mob Live Healthy and Prevent Cancer

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The Cancer Institute NSW is pleased to offer this practical session on using the Helping Mob Live Healthy and Prevent Cancer Toolkit to improve community awareness, access and participation in cancer screening and living healthy for cancer prevention. 

Date: Tuesday 22 October 2024
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm AEST
Location: Online, via Microsoft Teams

Designed for people working in Aboriginal health, the webinar will focus on: 

  • Accessing the Toolkit’s culturally tailored and strengths-based information as a platform to build your expertise and confidence in providing community education on screening programs, healthy living and quit smoking behaviours and support services.

  • Navigating and integrating the Toolkit resources into your day-to-day conversations with clients and/or local promotional activities.

We’ll be joined by proud Kamilaroi woman Rebecca Murray who has worked as an Aboriginal Health Worker/Cancer Care Coordinator and will be sharing her experience and tips for using the Toolkit to support client conversations, and ultimately to reduce stigma, improve equity and health outcomes for Aboriginal community members.

REGISTER HERE.

Strong Bubba Born Program

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Stillbirth CRE have developed a very important survey to evaluate and improve the Stronger Bubba Born program. This survey is anonymous and will take about 10-15 minutes to complete.

It is a part of the evaluation of the Cultural Adaptation of the Safer Baby Bundle (inclusive of Stronger Bubba Born and Growing a Healthy Baby).

This survey is aimed at clinicians who provide maternity care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and/or migrant or refugee women.

Please take the survey here.