Our People to Live Stronger & Longer

AH&MRC Winter Immunisation Grant

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Every year we know NSW ACCHO’s use their valuable resources immunising their community. From 6 months of age, ALL people are recommended to have the seasonal flu vaccine and it is FREE for your community members and available now for 2024. Flu and COVID immunisations provide protection from serious illness for individuals and communities.

COVID boosters are recommended every year for those over 65 years old and every 6 months for those over 75 years old and are available year-round.

Both Flu and COVID vaccines can be given on the same day. To boost your immunising efforts this winter season, we are offering grants up to the value of $30,000 to provide ACCHO’s the opportunity of accessing some funding for immunising initiatives e.g. boosting staff numbers available to administer immunisations by employing an agency nurse for a few weeks or paying current staff to work on weekends/ after-hours to immunise etc.

If you are interested in receiving a grant, please complete the following:

EOI Form: Immunisation Grant – 2024 Winter Season.

This offer is limited and EOI’s will be judged on merit. The EOI applications are open until 26th April 2024.

COVID-19 still a threat…

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

We know that many ACCHO’s are continuing to feel the impact of COVID-19 and the lack of access to COVID-19 medical supplies from the Department of Health. AH&MRC are continuing to support member services with emergency PPE supplies available by completing the ACCHO Request Form.

Being up-to date with COVID-19 vaccination gives extra protection from becoming seriously unwell or dying from severe COVID-19 illness or its complications. COVID-19 is likely to spike again this winter and the chance of severe illness and complications is higher for anyone over 65 years.

ATAGI has released its Advice for COVID-19 Vaccination in 2024 and AH&MRC has updated their COVID Booster Poster for 2024 in line with these recommendations. It can be downloaded from our website or if you would like hard copies please contact apaterson@ahmrc.org.au.It can be given to patients and displayed in your ACCHO’s to support staff informing community members who SHOULD get a COVID-19 vaccine now!

Remind the community about the importance of Stopping the Spread of Infection and Hand Hygiene which will help prevent spreading all respiratory illnesses.

There are other useful resources available to help guide clinical staff with any questions about COVID-19 vaccine:

If you have any questions, NACCHO at covid19vaccine@naccho.org.au or the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care at primarycareCOVIDvaccine@Health.gov.au who are are managing this process can be contacted directly.

Alternatively, you can contact publichealth@ahmrc.org.au to assist with your queries and we will keep you updated with any new recommendations which may be released in coming months.

Let’s Work Together to Strengthen Immunity in the Community

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

This year we want ALL our community 6 months of age and older to get a flu vaccine and help keep our families healthy and strong this winter.

Influenza Season 2024 – what to expect

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The ‘flu’ season is coming and Influenza vaccines for the 2024 season are available now. Clinical advice for the 2024 influenza (Flu) vaccination program is available through ATAGI and  the National Immunisation Program.  

NSW Health have also released their 2024 Influenza Vaccination Provider Toolkit  where you will find up to date information for NSW ACCHO’s.   

In 2023 influenza had the highest impact on children under 16 years as seen in this graph from the National Communicable Disease Dashboard.

Children under 16 years of age represented over  70% of patients admitted to hospitals.

We anticipate the flu season in 2024 will be just as severe as 2023 if we do not get our community vaccinated. Vaccine coverage in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in NSW was low in most age groups last year but especially in our bubs and children.

This year we want ALL our community 6 months of age and older to get a flu vaccine and help keep our families healthy and strong this winter.

Seeking applications for Treaty Commissioners

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The NSW Government is committed to a 12-month consultation process with Aboriginal communities on their aspirations for a Treaty framework or other formal agreement making process, to be led by three dedicated Commissioners.

Candidates are sought to serve as independent Treaty Commissioners. The Commissioners will be responsible for co-designing an approach to consultation, then undertaking consultation to determine whether NSW Aboriginal communities want a Treaty framework or agreement-making process and if so, what that process should look like.

Commissioners will be appointed for a two-year fixed term, and will provide reports directly to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty and supported by a discrete secretariat based in Aboriginal Affairs NSW.

Role description
Selection criteria
FAQ

Applications and more information

Applications for the role of Treaty Commissioners are now open and will close on 8 May 2024.

All applications will be considered confidential.

Applications should address the selection criteria in no more than three pages, accompanied by an up-to-date resume. Please send your application to treaty@aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au no later than 8 May 2024.

Empowering Fitness Workforce: A Unique Opportunity

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) is excited to announce a unique opportunity for our members to participate in a project to enhance our communities’ health and wellbeing through fitness education. We are thrilled to offer supported places for Certificate III in Fitness to equip individuals, either existing employees or new entrants, with these qualification over 12 months. This opportunity allows for flexibility in the distribution of participants across the qualification based on the needs and interests of the participants.

Investing in Your Future

We understand the value of investing in our members and their organisations. We offer each participant a substantial support package as part of this commitment. Each participating organisation will receive a supplement payment of $20,000 per participant. This funding is designed to facilitate the training of existing workers or to help supplement the salary cost of a new entrant. This is a significant opportunity to enhance your organisation’s capabilities while investing in our communities’ health and wellbeing.

The $20,000 supplement payment will be distributed as follows:
› 50% paid on commencement of the course.
› 50% paid following completion of the course. Please note that this payment schedule can be negotiated to best suit your organisation’s needs.

Impact on Workforce

Participants in this program will play a crucial role in promoting a healthy lifestyle within the organisation and the broader community. As fitness professionals, they can create and facilitate
various programs in the community, such as walking groups, community fitness classes, and chair yoga/mobility for Elders. These initiatives can significantly improve community well-being, increase productivity, and reduce absenteeism. Participants will also be equipped to
provide tailored fitness programs and advice, conduct fitness assessments, and lead group fitness classes. A fitness participant can significantly contribute to the physical health of the workforce and the community, fostering a culture of health and wellness that extends beyond
the organisation.

Course Units

Certificate III in Fitness units are on the official course pages: Certificate III in Fitness

Selection Criteria

To be considered for the supported places in this project, you must meet the following criteria:
› Be employed with an Aboriginal Medical Service or an associate member of AH&MRC and is in line with the strategies of the organisation
› Be a new entrant or an existing worker.
› Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent.
› Be able to travel to Sydney (Little Bay) for all residential blocks.
› Be eligible for Smart and Skilled funding.

How to Apply

We invite you to take the first step towards participating in this transformative project. Please feel free to fill out the form available at this link.
We eagerly await your response and are excited about collaborating with you to enhance the health and well-being of our communities.

Our Healthy Kids Program

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Gilgandra Public School has been the first to take part in ‘Our Healthy Kids’ program, aimed at promoting health, wellbeing, and education to primary school children from years 1 to 6.

Throughout Term 1, Year 2 Rainbows and 2/3 Chipmunks have been taking time each Tuesday to happily participate in the program, with lots of happy smiles and engagement from all.

The program is carefully aligned with the curriculum and structured in stages to ensure effective learning. Through our culturally focused and culturally safe approach, we foster an environment that encourages children to explore and understand various aspects of health and well-being.

Healthy Deadly Kids will now reach more than 2000 children across 14 priority locations across NSW, allowing all students from Years 1 to 6 to have an opportunity to learn, grow and develop throughout 2024.

Marrickville West Public School’s Term 1 program for Year 1 students demonstrated a holistic approach to education, linking health promotion with cultural appreciation. With an average attendance of 57.7 students per week across two sessions, the program catered to a diverse range of topics, including nutrition, physical activity, mental health, healthy habits, and cultural understanding. Notably, out of the 64 participating students, 7 were identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, highlighting the school’s commitment to inclusivity and addressing the unique needs of Indigenous communities.

The curriculum featured traditional Indigenous games, hand-eye coordination exercises, and a cultural showcase with artifacts like didges and spears. Students also participated in interactive sessions, painting rain callers and creating a collective canvas decorated with handprints. Through these immersive experiences, Marrickville West Public School’s program not only fostered physical and mental well-being but also instilled a profound sense of cultural pride and understanding among its Year 1 cohort.

“My first experience with the Our Healthy Kids program has been the excited chatter from the students as they  greet Vicki and her team. Sport and physical activities during these sessions are a clear highlight. Talk in the staffroom from the Year 1 teachers has demonstrated gratitude and support for the program as teachers feel students are gaining valuable knowledge, through learning experiences that are engaging and appropriately pitched to the target audience. As an observer, I have found that this program has been an important aspect of promoting healthy outcomes and building community capacity, making connections to services that are able to support the health of all children, with a particular focus on the health of First Nations Peoples.” Teacher Marrickville West PS.

Stage 1 students from Hillvue Public School graduated from Our Healthy Kids last week where they were presented with a certificate, backpack with a portion plate, hat and other goodies. The students enjoyed some fruit while they sat in the shade playing some games while each student was given the opportunity to add their handprint to a canvas which was later presented to each classroom to keep.

Handprint canvas from Hillvue Public School

“Such a great and engaging program, the students absolutely love working with Jess, Chris and Courtney. The lessons are age appropriate and inclusive. All kids are encouraged and valued in every session.” Hillvue Classroom Teacher Year 2

2024 NSW Aboriginal Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Forum

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

We are pleased to announce that registrations are now open for the 2024 NSW Aboriginal Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Forum, being held on Gadigal Country in Sydney from Wednesday 05 to Thursday 06 June 2024 at the Sydney Fullerton Hotel.

The Forum is delivered by the Mental Health Branch in partnership with the Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) and Charles Sturt University, the event will be celebrating a significant milestone, ’30 Years of the Djirruwang Progam’.

The Forum is designed to bring together and connect people involved in Aboriginal Mental Health, Social Emotional Wellbeing and Alcohol and Other Drugs, from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, health services, non-government organisation, and government departments from across NSW.

The 2024 Forum Opening Address will be led by The Hon Rose Jackson MLC, Minister for Mental Health, Susan Pearce AM, Secretary, NSW Health, and the Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council (AH&MRC).

Keynote speakers include Professor Maree Toombs, Professor Rhonda Wilson, Natalie Siegel-Brown, Commissioner (Social Policy), Productivity Commission and Rachel Fishlock, CEO Gayaa Dhuwi.

The theme for this year’s forum is  Our Deadly Ways –  Celebrating the Past, Living in the Present, Dreaming for the Future, providing an opportunity to reflect and celebrate those who came before us, the opportunities our workforce has now and in the future.

Also consider submitting an abstract and share your work with the sector. More information about abstract submission, can be found on our website.

Please note that by registering you will receive email updates regarding the forum.

VIEW THE FLYER HERE.

Strengthening the Healthcare Workforce: First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program Launched

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

More than 190 First Nations healthcare trainees have embarked on a transformative journey as the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) launch the First Nations Health Worker Traineeship (FNHWT) program.

Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, Assistant Minister for Indigenous health was in attendance for the launch, held today at the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia on Kaurna Country (Adelaide). The FNHWT program aims to certify up to 500 First Nations individuals as either Aboriginal Health Workers or Aboriginal Health Practitioners by 2027.

First Nations health professionals play a crucial role in delivering culturally safe care that is responsive to community needs. The FNHWT program is a pivotal step in addressing the gap in our health system by significantly increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in the health workforce. The training, delivered by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Registered Training Organisations (ACCHRTOs), involves on-the-job experience, ideally on Country, addressing critical workforce shortages in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs).

In alignment with the government’s commitment to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Priority Reforms the program has been developed and designed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and is being delivered in genuine partnership with government. As part of the $54.3 million program, NACCHO has also developed a holistic traineeship framework for ACCHOs to partner with ACCHRTOs, ensuring trainees receive culturally safe academic support.

First Nations people interested in joining the program can find out more at First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. 

In addition to the FNHWT program, NACCHO has initiated a demonstration project which will increase the training
and assessing workforce within ACCHRTOs. The project was designed to address the increasing demand for broader qualifications, across social and emotional wellbeing, counselling, mental health, and community services, which are currently limited due to shortages of qualified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Vocational Education and Training (VET) trainers and assessors.

Together, the FNHWT program and the Trainer and Assessor demonstration project provide a more holistic approach to closing the healthcare gap and cultivating a robust, culturally competent First Nations healthcare workforce.

Quotes attributable to Donnella Mills, NACCHO Chair:
Donnella Mills, NACCHO Chair, commented, “The First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program not only
strengthens pathways for our existing workforce but also opens doors for individuals in local communities to embark on careers as Health Workers and Health Practitioners.

“Community controlled RTOs, like the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia, provide the backbone of this program, developing a robust Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce and providing culturally embedded training, which is a central part to strong completion rates.

“This Traineeship program emphasises our commitment to investing in the invaluable work of our RTOs and supporting ACCHOs to provide clinical placements for students. Together, we continue to shape a resilient and culturally competent healthcare workforce for our communities.”

 

Quotes attributable to Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy stated, “The First Nations Health Worker Traineeship program is built on a foundation of collaboration and cooperation and is part of the Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap.

“Today, I was pleased to meet the students, trainers, Aboriginal Community Controlled RTOs, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and Services and listen to their experience with the First Nations Health Worker Traineeship program.

“Over the coming years, communities around the country will enjoy the benefits of more First Nations health workers providing culturally safe, quality care.

“By holistically and fully supporting trainees, this program is setting them up for success. They will go on to jobs across the health system and help grow the capacity of mainstream services to better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.”

Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia appoint new CEO

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The board of the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia is pleased to welcome and announce Tanya McGregor as their new CEO.

Tanya is a proud Yaruwu (Broome) woman who has lived and worked most of her life on the lands of the Larrakia people in the Northern Territory and now on the Kaurna land in South Australia.

Most recently Tanya represented Aboriginal Health in the role of Chief Aboriginal Health Officer for SA Health where she provided system leadership at a state and national level with both government departments and non-government partners. In this role she engaged c0mmunity and collaborated with partners in system wide policy and planning to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people and their communities. Tanya has extensive experiences on Committees, Boards and Ministerial Councils.

Tanya is currently the Co-Chair of the Aboriginal Cricket Advisory Committee for SACA and the SA representative on the Cricket Australia Indigenous Advisory Committee and a Director on the Fay Fuller Foundation. She also previously served on the Rostrevor College Board and NT Softboard Board where she was awarded Life Membership.

With more than 10 years’ experience at a senior and executive level developing state-wide Aboriginal health strategy and policy across South Australia and the Northern Territory, Tanya brings her extensive experience and knowledge to AHCSA to guide the organisation to achieve our strategic objectives.