Our People to Live Stronger & Longer

Author: Ashleigh Brissett

2024 Indigenous Allied Health Australia National Conference

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The 2024 IAHA National Conference recognises the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the diversity of our membership, as well as interdisciplinary actions within the allied health sector. IAHA recognises how sustained holistic, strengths-based approaches to health and wellbeing can achieve health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

The 2024 IAHA National Conference recognises the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the diversity of our membership, as well as interdisciplinary actions within the allied health sector. IAHA recognises how sustained holistic, strengths-based approaches to health and wellbeing can achieve health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

National Conference delegates will experience the following:

  • Professional development that challenges them both personally and professionally
  • Networking opportunities with likeminded people within a culturally diverse and safe space
  • Opportunities for growth, learning and healing
  • A Gala celebration of excellence in the Indigenous allied health sector
  • Enriching cultural experiences

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Call for Abstracts Open – 25 March 2024
  • IAHA Member Scholarship Applications Open – 25 March 2024
  • 2024 National Indigenous Allied Health Award Nominations open – 5 May 2024
  • Earlybird Registrations Open – 3 June 2024

For more information, please contact amanda@iaha.com.au

Emergency Planning

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The AH&MRC Leadership and Innovation workshop was held following the Indigenous Health Summit last week where we worked through a natural disaster scenario of heatwave and bushfire – both of which have been experienced in NSW this summer.  During discussions e heard stories of how ACCHS’s have stepped up to support their communities through NSW floods and fires when other agencies were nowhere to be seen and stories demonstrating the ACCHS’s leadership in the COVID 19 pandemic response which was vital to reducing the impact of the virus on Indigenous communities. 

Reflection on these events highlights the importance of leadership, governance, and planning when it comes to managing emergencies and natural disasters. The AH&MRC Emergency Resources have been developed to assist with planning for when (not if) the next emergency or natural disaster occurs. These resources are currently printable from our website but as we have received requests by ACCHS’s for hard copies, we are revising the documents to produce a printed version which we will distribute to member services in coming weeks.

The AH&MRC Public Health team are also looking out for EOI to participate in the AH&MRC Emergency Response committee and would love to hear from you if you would like to be involved.

Please reach out to Publichealth@ahmrc.org.au with any questions.

Syphilis Support Program

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The Sexual Health InfoLink (SHIL) offers clinical support for all syphilis results. SHIL has access to previous Public Health Notifications in NSW to assist with the interpretation and management of syphilis results.

When contacting SHIL on the 1800 451 624 number, press 1 for Health Professional, where your call will be prioritised on the call list.

NACCHO webinar: Beyond the C

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Join the Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service, ASHM Health and NACCHO teams for a Webinar on the ‘Beyond the C’ Program. Beyond the C provides a comprehensive and incentivised package of follow-up and support for primary care to engage in case-finding activities for people accessing their service.

Be a part of Beyond the C and help us eliminate hepatitis C.

Liver cancer is the fastest increasing cause of cancer death in Australia. Early liver cancer often lacks symptoms and advances rapidly, with regular six-month surveillance is crucial for diagnosing treatable liver cancer. Chronic hepatitis C, along with chronic hepatitis B, are the leading causes of liver cancer. Without diagnosis, liver cancer surveillance will not occur for most people with chronic hepatitis C and chronic hepatitis B. Hepatitis C is curable and can be managed in primary care, meaning that primary care is critical to the prevention of liver cancer.

Dr Lakhbinder Kang from Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service, said Beyond the C allowed their practice to identify 400 patients with hepatitis C, thanks to the case-finding support.

“Beyond the C provided a structured supportive auditing process to focus on treating hepatitis C. As of February 2023, our treatment rate is 83 percent,” said Kang.

 If you cannot attend, please still register and NACCHO will send you the recording afterwards.

Register here. 

2024 Antimicrobial Stewardship Program

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

NACCHO is welcoming applications for the 2024 Antimicrobial Stewardship Program. 

This is a 5 month, fortnightly online course that aims to improve antimicrobial stewardship and advocacy while addressing antimicrobial use and resistance. 

Any health worker or health professional working in the ACCHO sector can apply. 

For more information head to Antimicrobial Academy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care providers – NACCHO.

Applications close 2nd April 2024. 

Diabetes Education Workshop

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The Diabetes Education Workshop is on Thursday 21 March at Dubbo Zoo. It provides an opportunity to develop clinical management and education skills to support your patients living with diabetes and make connections with like-minded colleagues.

Healthcare professionals pursuing diabetes education qualifications and Aboriginal health practitioners and Aboriginal health practitioners in Western and Far West NSW are invited to a free clinical skills workshop in Dubbo. The workshop is supported by the University of Technology Sydney, Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW, and the Care Partnership – Diabetes program.

The workshop will have a capacity for 30 participants who are interested in developing or refreshing diabetes clinical skills including:

  • Glucose monitoring – including flash and insulin injections
  • HbA1c testing
  • Conducting group diabetes education – with ‘Magnetic Man’
  • Cultural empathy in diabetes communication
  • Case studies involving patients with missed diabetes emergencies, and Low A1c

When: Thursday 21 March 2024
Time: 9am- 3pm (4pm for UTS students)
Where: Savannah Room, Taronga Zoo Obley Rd, Dubbo NSW 2830

The workshop facilitators are:
Dr Marlene Payk, Nurse Practitioner, Credentialled Diabetes Educator, Registered Nurse
Dr Shannon Lin, Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian, Credentialled Diabetes Educator
Grace Ward, Aboriginal Health Practitioner, Diabetes Educator

Who is the workshop for?

  • Health professionals working or studying in Western or Far West NSW in the following categories
    are eligible to register:
  • Scholarship (CP-D or HWSP) recipients pursuing postgraduate courses in diabetes education
    – even if they haven’t started the course
  • UTS Grad Cert Diabetes Education and Management students
    Aboriginal health practitioners working in ACCHS, LHD, GP practice or other settings.

Find the full document here.

ACCHS Request Form | COVID Related Medical Supplies

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

As the Commonwealth Government is no longer supplying COVID-related medical supplies to Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) through the National Medical Stockpile (NMS), all ACCHS are now required to access stock through their regular and standard channels. ACCHS are now able to use their COVID transitional funds to purchase COVID-related consumables required to manage COVID-related situations in their regions. Please see the attached fact sheet for more information.

In case of an emergency or if your ACCHS is unable to access the funding, AH&MRC would like to support member services by providing RATs and Face masks to make the transition smooth and easy for our member community. Access to RATs and PPE through AH&MRC will only be available for a limited time ; we encourage and are happy to assist member services to develop sustainable local pathways for future access.

Please complete ACCHO’s Request Form if you need support with COVID-related supplies.

There is also potential opportunity of fast and accurate COVID/Flu/RSV PCR testing within your clinic through the Respiratory Infection Point-Of-Care (POC) Program. The above request form has the option of an EOI from ACCHS’s for this program as NATSHIP is now undertaking 2024 submissions.  If your service is interested in joining this program or you require further information, please indicate in the ACCHO’s Request Form.For further enquiries please contact Public Health at publichealth@ahmrc.org.au

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​