Category Archives: Section 100 Remote Aboriginal Health Services Program

For further information contact:
Ms Heather Volk,
National QUMAX Program Manager,
02-6246 9300
QUMAXmanager@naccho.org.au

Sep 24 2012

Sydney Pharmacy Indigenous Camp Jan 2013 application open

What is the Sydney Pharmacy Indigenous Camp (SydPIC)?

SydPIC is a camp that incorporates pharmacy workshops, laboratory sessions and field trips that will give you a taste of university education and a career in pharmacy.

It will be held from Sunday 20 January to Thursday 24 January 2013 for up to 15-25 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, male and female, from Years 10 and 11 in this current year. The SydPIC program will run over four days during which you will be introduced to the University, campus life and pharmacy.

Is Pharmacy for me?

If you…

  • are good at maths and science
  • enjoy working with people
  • like working as part of a team
  • like to tackle challenging problems

…then pharmacy may just be what you’re looking for!

What will I do at SydPIC?

You will tour the university campus, live on-site in college accommodation; participate in challenging workshops and fun team-building exercises including working in the laboratory to prepare creams and lotions, make tablets and extract the active ingredients from medicines. In addition you will learn about the benefits and harmful effects from commonly used medicines.

Guided by your tutors – pharmacy teachers and a practising indigenous pharmacist – you will visit and speak with hospital and community pharmacists, and be introduced to the science and practice of pharmacy. You will also have the opportunity to meet current students to find out firsthand what it is like to study pharmacy at the University of Sydney.

You will also have the opportunity to discover more about the city of Sydney via a night out on a harbour cruise.

If you would like to know more about the study camp, please read our brochure.

Cost

SydPIC is a fully sponsored event by the Faculty of Pharmacy. All your travel costs to and from Sydney, as well as accommodation, tuition, insurance and food will be covered. The only money you many require is pocket money when travelling and during your stay in Sydney.

Applications

If you wish to apply for SydPIC you will need to complete an application form. Applications need to be submitted by 26 October 2012. Further details can be found on the application form.

Or for more information, please contact:
SydPIC coordinator
Faculty of Pharmacy
T +61 2 9036 7647
E pharmacy.sydpic@sydney.edu.au
SydPIC is associated with the University of Sydney Wingara Mura-Bunga Barrabugu Indigenous strategy.

Apr 20 2012

Joint media release:Guild and NACCHO working together to improve Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander’s access to PBS medicines.

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia have developed a joint position paper aimed at maintaining and improving access to important medicines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Donna (NACCHO) and Wendy (Guild) signing agreement

As partners in the introduction and ongoing support and delivery of the Section 100 Remote Aboriginal Health Services Program (s100 RAHSP), the Guild and NACCHO have prepared the paper to outline the essential features that need to be maintained, as well as practical ways to assist the program to reach its full potential, consistent with the Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap.

 The paper has been produced in response to the report from the Inquiry by the Senate Community Affairs References Committee into ‘the effectiveness of special arrangements for the supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines to remote Aboriginal Health Services’ delivered in October 2011.

 Both organisations hope that the Government’s response to the Inquiry will provide the opportunity to review the Section 100 Remote Aboriginal Health Services Program (s100 RAHSP) in light not only of the Senate report, but also of the numerous reviews and evaluations which have preceded it.

 The paper proposes the retention of the essential features of the program, with some practical suggestions to enhance the program.  Among eleven suggestions for improving the system is a proposal that Medicare Australia move to a streamlined electronic claiming system to replace the current paper-based claims book.

 The Section 100 Remote Aboriginal Health Services Program (s100 RAHSP), introduced in 1999, has greatly improved access to medicines listed on the PBS and represents one of the most substantial positive developments in remote area Aboriginal health service delivery.  This has been achieved through the infrastructure of the network of remote area community pharmacies and their expertise in administering the PBS, and Remote Area Aboriginal Health Services in their delivery of care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

 The Guild and NACCHO will continue to build on their long standing relationship, working together to improve Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander’s access to PBS medicines.

Section 100 of the National Health Act 1953 allows the Federal Health Minister to make special arrangements for the supply of PBS medicines where they cannot be supplied effectively through normal channels.

 The joint position paper may be viewed at:  www.guild.org.au under the ‘Issues & Resources’ tab 

Download from NACCHO resource documents

Media inquiries: Greg Turnbull 0412 910 261 or Colin Cowell 0401 331 251