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Please join us at the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference 2023 (NATSIEHC23)

AH&MRC are the 2023 co-host of the 2023 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference (NATSIEHC23), which will be held on Dharug Country in Western Sydney from Wednesday 24 to Friday 26 May 2023. This is a First Nations-led, cross-sector Conference, organised annually since 2017. The 2023 Conference is led by the National Experts Group on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health (NEGATSIEH) through a Conference Leadership Group and supported by the Indigenous Eye Health Unit (IEHU) at The University of Melbourne.

Early-bird registration closes soon (28 February). General registrations are open to 1 May. Tickets are limited so we recommend registering early. Discounted rates are offered for First Nations delegates and delegates employed or on the board of an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation. To register, please click here [embedded link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/2023-national-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-eye-health-conference-registration-516351650687 ]

Abstracts are open to 3 March, under the general Conference theme, Our Vision in Our Hands: Finding Our Voice. Abstracts preparation support is available. Please find more information on our website.

Awards: The 2023 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Awards, which are awarded at the Conference gala dinner, are open for nominations to 21 April. These awards have been handed to individuals, groups, and organisations that made a notable contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health. Organisers are particularly interested in identifying and acknowledging the many ‘unsung heroes’ in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health. Please find categories and registration information on our website.

Bursaries: Applications for bursaries are open to 31 March to support First Nations People to be able to attend and participate. Please see our website for more information and to apply.

This Conference is an exciting opportunity to immerse in discussions and connections with colleagues from across Australia, all working towards the shared commitment of ending avoidable vision loss and blindness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. All information about the Conference, registration, abstract preparation and submission and awards nominations, can be found on the Conference website. [embedded link: https://mspgh.unimelb.edu.au/centres-institutes/centre-for-health-equity/research-group/ieh/roadmap/conference/2023-NATSIEHC ]

AH&MRC The Deadly Doctors Forum was held at the Crown Plaza Coogee beach on Bidjigal and Gadigal country, who traditionally occupy Sydney Coast.

This event was held on the 24^th November 2022, with over 30 General Practitioners within the ACCHO sector.

This event is a great opportunity for General Practitioners who work in the ACCHO sector to network and discuss the critical issues that affect their work and the sector alike. The event left everyone feeling connected to a community of peers.

There were doctors from ACCHSs across NSW including Awabakal, Armajun, Illawarra, Bullinah, Tharawal, Dubbo, Katoomba, RivMed, Walhallow , Katungal, Durri and Redfern.

Those who attended were privileged to be able to participate in an ochre ceremony led by Susan Moylan-Coombs from the Gaimaragal Group as part of a session on Positive Cultural Appreciation, Self-Care and support for doctors working in ACCHSs.

Dr Kathryn Hutt and Dr Ameeta Patel from Doctors Health NSW also presented and facilitated a session encouraging self-compassion and connection with peers; we all contributed to a ‘self-care tree’ where on each leaf participants wrote a suggestion of how health workers can look after ourselves, to enable us to look after others. This became a great talking piece throughout the day.

One of our guest speakers Dr Joe Lawler, consultant gastroenterologists and hepatologist in Sydney’s Inner West and in Western NSW, gave a presentation on Hepatitis B and C and bowel cancer screening in Aboriginal communities which was universally well received.

Another speaker was Ru Kwedza from the NSW Cancer Institute explained the background and findings of the ‘Aboriginal People in NSW Reporting for Better Cancer Outcomes Report’ to give doctors better insight into the impact of cancer in the Aboriginal Communities where they are working.

Chris Allan, Mental Health worker at Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service explained how he and his team were supporting home detox for their community members saving them having to wait for long periods to getting into the very limited detox centres in their area.

We were lucky to have Kristy Williams (midwife), Annika Honeyset (Aboriginal Health Practitioner), and Dr Megan Elliott-Rudder to explain their innovative mums and bubs program that is delivered on site at Riverina Medical and Dental Aboriginal Corporation.

Finally, one of our AH&MRC Health Programs Officers Mafi Kailahi facilitated a round table on ear health giving participants the chance to give feedback on the new KPI’s being introduced in 2023 and what is working (and not working) in the ear health space.

The day ended with a group photo with the sun shining and still time to walk down to the beach.

AH&MRC are looking forward to providing ongoing support for doctors working in the ACCHS sector in 2023. Watch this space for more information in 2023 and contact us publichealth@ahmrc.org.au if you would like to be included in our Deadly Doctors contact list.

Tag: culture

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference 2023

The Deadly Doctors Forum – another successful event.

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