Our People to Live Stronger & Longer

Author: Ashleigh Brissett

60-day Prescriptions, Cheaper Medications

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

We know many patients who attend ACCHOs are on regular medications for chronic conditions. To continue this medication has previously required monthly trips to the pharmacy and often CTG co-payments. Most of these patients can now access prescriptions which will give them enough medication for 2 months (60 days). 60-day prescriptions reduce the frequency of pharmacy visits, travel time and medication costs for patients living with chronic conditions. 

Since September 2023, 60-day prescriptions have been allowed for almost 200 Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medications.   

Patients are eligible for the 60-day prescriptions if they:   

  • Have a stable, ongoing health condition  
  • Have been assessed as suitable by their GP or nurse practitioner 
  • Have received a 60-day prescription from their GP or nurse practitioner  

This allows eligible patients living with chronic conditions to get double their medication in one go.  

More medicines will be added in September 2024, with over 300 to be listed for 60-day prescriptions.  

Additional resources and updates can be found on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.   

  

Aurora Foundation Cancer Scholarship

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

MEstablished by the Aurora Education Foundation (Aurora) and Cancer Australia the First Nations Cancer Scholarship (scholarship) supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduate students, health professionals, and early-career researchers to undertake full-time postgraduate study or research in a cancer-related field.

The purpose of the scholarship is to support Indigenous scholars in building the skills and knowledge required to inform strategies to improve cancer outcomes for Indigenous communities and increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in cancer-related fields.

The scholarship will see Indigenous scholars receive up to $120,000 per year over three years, as well as academic, wellbeing and community support.

Read more here: https://aurorafoundation.com.au/cancer-scholarship/

WA Ear and Hearing Health Forum 2024

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The WA Ear and Hearing Health Forum 2024, held from August 7-9 at the Esplanade Hotel by Rydges in Fremantle, brought together health professionals, researchers, and stakeholders to advance ear and hearing health in Western Australia.

The event featured success stories from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS), updates on the WA Child Ear Health Strategy, and discussions on the latest technological advancements, including digital tools and artificial intelligence in ear health.

Key sessions at the WA Ear and Hearing Health Forum 2024 included an insightful presentation by Matthew Lester and Raymond Christophers on the crucial role of environmental health in ear health outcomes. They emphasised how factors such as housing quality and access to clean water are directly linked to the prevalence of ear diseases in Aboriginal communities.

Additionally, the forum showcased advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) for otoscopy diagnosis, highlighting how AI-driven tools are improving the accuracy and speed of ear condition diagnoses, particularly in remote areas. Hearing Australia provided important updates on the “Listen to Learn” program, focusing on early hearing assessments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA) also shared updates on their ear health initiatives, including the development of new evaluation tools and the impact of their school-based ear screening programs.

AH&MRC’s participation highlighted our ongoing commitment to improving ear health outcomes and supporting effective health strategies across NSW and beyond.

Partnerships for Culturally Safe Cancer Care

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Cancer Australia has launched the Partnerships for culturally safe cancer care grant program, a new $16.9 million initiative aimed at accelerating the delivery of culturally safe cancer care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

Addressing long-standing equity and cultural safety issues within mainstream health services, particularly in specialist cancer care, is crucial to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access and complete treatments with improved outcomes. The program emphasises the importance of a culturally safe system, where respect for cultural values and elimination of racism and inequity are paramount.  These are key outcomes of both the Australian Cancer Plan and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Plan.

This national grant program will allocate up to $16.9 million over three years to support up to 20 partnerships between cancer services and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations. Partnerships, with funding of up to $1 million each, will focus on innovative, community-driven local activities designed to improve the delivery of cancer care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Applications are now open

Closing date: 5.00pm (AEDT) on 23 October 2024

How to apply: Applications can be submitted through Cancer Australia’s grant management system – Can-Grant.

Further information

For grant guidelines and further information visit:

For enquires email: FirstNationsGrants@canceraustralia.gov.au

Capacity Building seminars – July & August

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The next seminar The cultural and historical contexts of Aboriginal people and genomic research will be over two sessions (July and August).

This seminar contributes to an ongoing learning process about the historical and cultural contexts of Genomic research and Indigenous people in Australia.

  • How has western science impacted Aboriginal people?
  • How can we begin to address this legacy ?
  • How can Aboriginal knowledges inform our work?

Over two presentations we will begin to explore these questions and more

Presenter: Amanda Richards-Satour

Part 1: 30 July 2024
Part 2: 27 August 2024

Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/host/align-management-team

The National Strategy for Food Security in Remote First Nations Communities

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Face-to-face consultation sessions are being held with a range of stakeholders, including with remote communities between July and August 2024. Consultation will be facilitated by PwC Indigenous Consulting. 

NSW has been allocated a face-to-face session, a ‘Hub Forum’ scheduled to take place in Walgett on July 25th, at the Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Community Hall from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.

For those unable to attend the ‘Hub Forum’, we strongly encourage providing feedback via online submissions by email to RemoteFSConsultations@niaa.gov.au.

Online submissions are currently open until 11th of August 2024.

FASD Strong Born Community Grant closes 19 July!

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

NACCHO invites applications for the third round of the FASD Strong Born Campaign grants. ACCHOs can apply for funding to raise awareness, enhance resources, and strengthen workforce capability around fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). 

Funding and Activities: ACCHOs can apply for grants of up to $60,000 (GST excl.), depending on annual client numbers. Example activities include:

  • Creating locally relevant communications materials and resources by using existing ‘Strong Born’ campaign materials. This covers translation services, design, printing, and publishing costs.
  • Hosting FASD community events and yarning circles.
  • Conducting FASD information and awareness sessions for staff and community members.

Refer to the funding guidelines for more information on eligible activities. 

Eligibility:
All ACCHOs are strongly encouraged to apply, regardless of whether they currently deliver FASD-specific programs or received funding under Grant Rounds 1 or 2 in 2023. 

Timeline: 

  • Applications Open: 26 June 2024
  • Applications Due: 19 July 2024, 23:00 AEST / 11pm Canberra time
  • Applicants Notified: August 2024
  • Implementation Period: September 2024 to May 2025

How to Apply:
To apply, please complete the short application form, below. Key documents to assist with the application process include: 

Questions:
Please reach out to the NACCHO FASD Grants team at fasdprograms@naccho.org.au with any questions – we are here to help! 

KARI 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Join KARI on Friday, October 25, 2024 as they gather at The ICC Sydney to commemorate their incredible journey over the past 25 years.

Come together to celebrate their significant achievements, pause for reflection, and express gratitude to all who have contributed to our journey past, present, and future.

Buy your ticket here. 

2024 National Carer Survey

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Are you aged 16-25, and supporting a family member or friend living with a disability, health condition, mental illness, or who is ageing?

Share your experiences in the 2024 National Carer Survey!

This year there are specific questions for young carers, and an optional shorter path through the Survey to encourage more young people to participate. Young carers can also enter a prize draw for a chance to win a $200 gift voucher, with 3 prizes drawn in each state and territory. The National Carer Survey enables young carers to have their say, and helps everyone better understand the experiences and support needs of young carers.

Results are used by the State and Territory Carer Organisations to improve awareness of young carers and the supports available to them. Help make a positive difference for young carers by completing the Survey at www.nationalcarersurvey.com.au by 31 July 2024.

For more information about the National Carer Survey, please visit www.carersnsw.org.au/research/survey or email research@carersnsw.org.au

Shield yourself from shingles

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

If you’re 50 years or older, shield yourself from shingles.

If you’ve had chickenpox before, you could get shingles. It can be really nasty; especially if you’re older or if your immune system is weak. The good news is, there’s a safe and effective shingles vaccine that can shield you from shingles. It’s free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over.

Yarn with your health professional about your eligibility for the free shingles vaccine.

WATCH Adrian, from Bundjalung, Minjungbal, and Coodingburra Country, shares his experience with shingles.

LISTEN as health professionals answer common questions about shingles and the shingles vaccine.
GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED learn more about the shingles vaccine by reading the simple factsheet with more information.
FIND A CLINIC use NACCHO’s map to find an Aboriginal Medical Service near you.