Our People to Live Stronger & Longer

Author: Ashleigh Brissett

Vapes now prescription-only

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

As advised in the January article Reduced access to vapes coming – is your ACCHO ready? the government is continuing to introduce additional regulations in an effort to control access to recreational vapes.  

Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Bill 2024  has now passed which cracks down on the sale of all recreational vapes in Australia and there is restriction on advertising, packaging and flavours for vapes. 

Since Monday 1 July 2024, ALL vapes in Australia are only available at pharmacies. This means it’s illegal for any other retailer, including tobacconists and convenience stores, to sell any type of vape or vaping product. Individuals who have a vape on them for personal use will not be targeted under the changes to the laws. 

Until 30 September 2024, everyone will need a prescription from a doctor or nurse practitioner to buy vapes that contain nicotine. 

From 1 October 2024, people 18 years or over will be able to buy nicotine vapes from pharmacies without a prescription. People under 18 years will still need a prescription. 

You can find out more about the changes to the regulation of vapes on the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website.  

Vaping is considered a second-line quitting aid for smokers who are unable to quit with first-line treatments. There is Information for prescribers available with links to the Special Access Scheme pathway which simplifies prescription access to therapeutic vapes where clinically appropriate.  

The following additional resources may help ACCHO’s staff who are supporting clients seeking help as a result of difficulty accessing vapes: 

The following resources are for patients, parents and carers:  

AH&MRC are committed to supporting smoking and vaping cessation in the community and will continue to provide funding for NRT to our member services. We are also working with stakeholders to explore training options for delivery of smoking cessation training across ACCHOs. 

Please reach out to asavidis@ahmrc.org.au or publichealth@ahmrc.org.au if you would like further information. 

 

AH&MRC Announces Appointment of New Chair and Deputy Chair

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jamie Newman as the new Chair and Kristine Falzon as the new Deputy Chair of our organisation.

Read the full Media Release.

Every Yarn Counts

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Come and have a yarn about hepatitis C treatment. Treatment for hepatitis C has changed and is easier than it’s ever been before. It’s a cure, all it takes is one to three pills a day for 8-12 weeks to live free of hep C. Curing your hepatitis C means you don’t have to worry about passing it on to your partner, friends or family. Look after your mob.

Treatment has changed and is easier than it’s ever been before. All it takes is one to three pills a day for 8-12 weeks to live free of hepatitis C – No more injections.

The treatment also has way less side effects. Over 95% of people clear hepatitis C from their body with the new treatment (a cure). A doctor or nurse can prescribe treatment, and support is available from start to finish. Treatment costs are covered under Close the Gap too.

Treating hepatitis C earlier rather than later can stop the liver from being damaged.

Every person’s experience of treatment is different. Some people don’t know that hepatitis C can make them feel foggy and have low energy. Being cured can help to make them feel better. Some people feel like they have more energy after being cured. Other people just love not worrying about hepatitis C because they can’t pass it on.

The good news is, if you get hepatitis C again, you can be cured again (and again). Simple as that. It’s good to know that once you are cured, you won’t pass it on to anyone else. You’ll be looking after you and your mob.

If you have already been cured, it’s important to stay blood-aware because unlike some other infections, your body doesn’t protect you from new infections. Hepatitis C treatments are not a vaccination and do not protect you from getting hepatitis C again.

The only way to know if you have hepatitis C is to have a blood test. You can ask your Aboriginal health worker, nurse or doctor for the test, or you may like to have yarn about a hepatitis C test at your annual (715) health check. The health check is free of charge and can be accessed by all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

If you have hepatitis C the next step is to have a yarn about treatment and cure. The cost of treatment is covered under Close the Gap.

Take the first step, have a yarn at your local Aboriginal Health Service today. Every Yarn Counts.

BlaQ Lead NAIDOC Week Events

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Pride in Culture BBQ

BlaQ welcomes community for a day of good food, fun activities, and cultural well-being. Join us at Redfern Park, right near the fountain on Sunday 7th July, from 10am to 4pm. Bring your whole mob and we will see you there!

Universal Nightclub Takeover

On Friday 12th July Oxford Streets, Universal Nightclub will be taken over by BlaQ to raise vital funds for our work within the community. Join us on the top floor of the venue for ‘Sanctuary’ and enjoy a night of dancing with your favourite First Nations DJ’s and Drag performers.

Join BlaQ for Lunch

BlaQ is pleased to announce a partnership with OzHarvest in which Tuesdays fortnightly mob can come together for a free and delicious lunch at Refettorio Sydney, to yarn, connect with services, speak one on one with BlaQ team-members, and simply enjoy a comforting meal.

Limited spots are available for each sitting. If you would like to join us for lunch please contact us via the link below to join the mailing list.

Aboriginal Wellbeing Conference | Healing Through our Community Connections

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Healing Through our Community Connections conference will focus on the healing power of community connections within Aboriginal families and communities.

The conference aims to provide participants with the chance to participate in workshops and listen to guest speakers who possess both knowledge and practical experience in establishing successful community connections and the beneficial outcomes for service delivery.

Additionally, our speakers will address challenges they encountered in forging these connections and the strategies they employed to overcome them.

Date: 22 & 23 July
Where: Coffs Harbour, NSW
Cost: $620

To register, please visit aboriginalwellbeingconference.com or contact Cassie on 0411 562 736 or email cassie@spiritdreaming.com.au 

 

AH&MRC Employee and Former ACCHO Worker Named Finalist in 2024 NSW Department of Education Training Awards.

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Ivan Morris, an employee of the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) and former worker at the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) has been named a finalist in the 2024 NSW Department of Education Training Awards for the Illawarra and South Coast Region in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year category. This recognition highlights Ivan’s dedication to his community and his achievements in the field of mental health and substance abuse support.

Read the full media release here. 

Yarning About Alcohol and Pregnancy – Webinar

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The Centre for Alcohol and other Drugs (CAOD) and the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) are hosting a free webinar about preventing alcohol use in pregnancy, with a focus on health professionals who are supporting Aboriginal women and their families.

The webinar will bring together a panel of experts to discuss the following topics:

  • The importance of conversations about alcohol use in pregnancy
  • The effects of alcohol use on baby and mum
  • How and when to yarn about alcohol and pregnancy
  • Support services available in NSW
  • Yarning about alcohol use in pregnancy is men’s business too
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) screening, diagnosis and support
  • Alcohol use in pregnancy resources available

Webinar Speakers

  • Dr Suzie Hudson, Clinical Advisor, CAOD (Chair)
  • Professor Elizabeth Elliott, Paediatrician and Director, CICADA Centre NSW
  • Mary Wahhab, Clinical Nurse Consultant, CICADA Centre NSW
  • Dr Bronwyn Milne, Paediatrician and Addiction Specialist, CICADA Centre NSW
  • Marrisa Hussein, Registered Nurse and Midwife, South Coast AMS
  • Kelly Gould, Practice Manager, South Coast AMS
  • Ivan Morris, Member Engagement Coordinator, AH&MRC

Webinar Details

  • Wednesday 26th June 2024
  • 2:00 to 3:00pm

Register here for the webinar

 

National Anti-Racism Framework Virtual Consultation

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

First Nations Co. is conducting 12 online focus groups, with sessions dedicated to the Education, Health, and Justice sectors. If you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and work within these sectors, you’re invited to participate in an online consultation session to help inform the development of the National Anti-Racism Framework.

Health Sector:  For those working in healthcare services, ACCHOs, and government or non-government health organisations/departments

  • Wednesday 26 June at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (AEDT)
  • Thursday 27 June at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (AEDT)
  • Wednesday 3 July at 10:00 am – 11:00 am (AEDT)
  • Thursday 4 July at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (AEDT)

Justice Sector: For those working in Legal Aid, community services, youth services, supreme court, police, child protection, and government or non-government justice organisations

  • Tuesday 25 June at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (AEDT)
  • Thursday 27 June at 09:30 am – 10:30 am (AEDT)
  • Tuesday 2 July at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (AEDT)
  • Thursday 4 July at 10:00 am – 11:00 am (AEDT)

To Register:

Please complete this registration form and a member of the First Nations Co. team will send you an invite to the selected meeting.

If you are unable to attend a session, please contribute via completing an online survey. Your contribution as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is essential in informing the development of the framework.

Free coercive control training

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Registrations are now open for free one-day face-to-face training sessions on coercive control.

  • The training is available to NGO staff and other frontline workers in the domestic and family violence sector.
  • Training will support practitioners to identify and respond to coercive control in diverse communities.
  • Training sessions will be held at Albury, Ashfield, Armidale, Bankstown, Ballina, Bathurst, Bega, Blacktown, Bondi, Bourke, Broken Hill, Campbelltown, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Goulburn, Griffith, Inverell, Katoomba, Kogarah, Liverpool, Moree, Mt Druitt, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Orange, Parramatta, Penrith, Sydney Central, Taree/Port Macquarie, The Entrance, Redfern, Ulladulla, Wagga Wagga, Wollongong, Wyong. 

Register now as places are limited.

More information about the training is available on the CCWT website.

The training has been developed by DCJ in partnership with the Centre for Community Welfare (CCWT) and an advisory group made up of members from the coercive control reference groups.

20 Years of Orange Aboriginal Medical Service

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The Orange Aboriginal Medical Service is moving into their 20th year of operations this year, continuing the legacy of the Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern (AMS Redfern) which was established in 1971 as the first Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in Australia. AMS Redfern was instrumental in providing the foundation for many other Aboriginal community organisations that provide a similar health care model for Aboriginal people. 

The 14 May 2004 marked the corporate registration of OAMS and the work that commenced 12 months prior to the official opening of the clinic doors for business the following year. OAMS staff and Board came together recently to acknowledge and celebrate 20 years of continuous quality community care for our mob and community.

Check out some happy snaps from the BBQ celebration below.