Our People to Live Stronger & Longer

Author: Ashleigh Brissett

Have a happy and safe Mardi Gras

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The AH&MRC is wanting to wish everyone a happy and safe Mardi Gras. Mob are encouraged to stay safe and protected from, sexually transmitted infections, COVID-19 and other illnesses while celebrating.

AH&MRC will be attending Fair Day on Sunday 18th February where you can access free condoms and lube! Come by and visit our stall and we can yarn about staying safe and having fun.

If your clinic is needing to restock your condoms and lube don’t forget to contact our Sexual Health Nurse at kalderton@ahmrc.org.au

Rise in COVID cases

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

There has been a significant increase in COVID cases in the month of January. The latest NSW Health Respiratory Surveillance Report for the fortnight ending 24 January 2024.

There were declines in emergency department presentations in all age-groups, which may be influenced by primary healthcare availability over the holiday period. Influenza and RSV activity is low with PCR test positivity at 4.0% and 2.1% respectively.

  • To order stock please explore your usual channels first.
  • If your clinics are unable to obtain stock through usual channels, please provide specific numbers of items needed (e.g. 100 RAT Tests).
  • Please limit requests for supplies to volumes likely to be needed for a few months only, based on your usual demand. This helps to avoid problems with stock expiring before it can be used.

Download the ACCHS Test, Treat and Protect order form here.

Take Blaktion Webinars

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

To kick off NACCHOs Sexual Health Community of Practice, they have two webinars planned for January and February with attendance certificates and CPD points available.

The webinars aim to support health workers in reducing the rates of Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs) and Sexually Transmitted Infections(STIs) within the community.

Reaching young people with culturally relevant sexual health education

Date: Wednesday 31 January
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm AEST
Register here

Contact Tracing for Sexual Health Teams in ACCHOs

Date: Wednesday 14 February
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm AEST
Register here

More information can be found here.

Aboriginal Affairs NSW Cultural Grants Program

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The Aboriginal Affairs NSW Cultural Grants Program supports Aboriginal community organisations across NSW to celebrate Aboriginal culture and hold key cultural events and activities.

The AANSW Cultural Grants Program objective are to:

  1. Support Aboriginal communities to strengthen, protect, and maintain traditional and contemporary expressions of Aboriginal culture
  2. Support key contemporary Aboriginal cultural events and activities
  3. contribute to Aboriginal community wellbeing and healing, through the use of Aboriginal culture and community connection
  4. Facilitate sharing of Aboriginal cultural knowledge and skills between generations.

Applicants can apply for grants from $500 to $20,000.

More information can be found here.

Call for abstracts

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The Aboriginal Chronic Conditions Network and Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council invite abstracts for the 2024 – Aboriginal Chronic Conditions Conference

Theme: Closing The Gap Priority Reform Areas and Aboriginal Chronic Care

Dates: 3rd & 4th April 2024
Location: Sydney

We call on abstracts that highlight the success, showcase innovations, strategic partnerships and key learnings in Closing the Gap aligned to Aboriginal Chronic Care.

This includes the focus across Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, NSW Health, Primary Health Networks and other organisations across Australia.

The objective of the 2024 conference is to promote innovations across Aboriginal Chronic Care that are culturally responsive, aligned to the Closing the Gap Priority Reform Areas and that showcase;

• Strategic partnerships that strengthen Aboriginal leadership and shared decision making
• Building community control capability as guided by community control
• Success and key learnings in the design and delivery of programs and services
• Leading initiatives for shared access to data and information at a regional level
• Pathways to Aboriginal employment and procurement of Aboriginal business
• Aboriginal culture as the core element to healing and wellbeing for Aboriginal peoples

Please submit abstracts by the 7th February 2024 to ACI-ACCN@health.nsw.gov.au

More information available here.

NAATSIHWP Leadership Masterclass – EOI

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP) are excited to announce the 2024 NAATSIHWP Leadership Masterclass. The first of its kind, the program has been tailored for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners* in management positions or who undertake managerial tasks as part of their duties.

Facilitated by diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, the sessions and off-site visits are tailored to support advancement of your professional growth, and to transition you from management to leadership!

You’ll leave this Masterclass having gained:

  • Greater understanding of financial statements and accounting language
  • Deeper understanding of Indigenous leadership, governance, financial and management
  • Valuable resources to enhance resilience and to support you through interpersonal issues and resolution
  • Strengthened understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and governance
  • Increased self-awareness and a network to support your personal leadership journey

The programming consists of three in-person blocks of over three months, commencing in Canberra on March 19–21, 2024.

Spots in the Masterclass are fully funded and are at no cost to you, but they are limited

Express your interest NOW; applications close midnight, January 21, 2024! A support letter from your employer is required so please don’t leave it too late!

For more details about the Leadership Masterclass (including dates of the program) and your steps to apply, visit: https://naatsihwp.org.au/2024-leadership-masterclass.  

*Please note: Health Workers and Health Practitioners refers to those who have completed a certificate II or higher Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care.

If you have any questions about the program, eligibility or arrangements, please contact policy@naatsihwp.org.au or message NAASTIHWP on their social media.

Cancer Institute NSW Primary Care Cancer Control Symposium

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The theme of the 2024 symposium is – Shared vision: lung cancer screening implementation.  The symposium will bring together perspectives from across primary care and cancer services to discuss the design and implementation of the lung cancer screening program and how to ensure equitable access. The AH&MRC and NACCHO will be presenting alongside the Cancer Institute NSW, Cancer Australia, Primary Health Networks and people delivering healthcare to people in custodial settings and to those with insecure housing. 

Register now to secure your place. Registrations close Friday 16 February 2024.

Event details:

Friday 1st March 2024
9:00am to 5:00pm
Rydges Sydney Central
28 Albion Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010

Travel funding is available for Aboriginal health workers based regionally. If you would like to attend and require funding please complete this form.

For any questions regarding this event, please reach out to the Cancer Institute NSW events team on CINSW-Events@health.nsw.gov.au