NACCHO Press Release : NACCHO Chair welcomes new Health Minister Greg Hunt and Ken Wyatt as new Indigenous Health minister

” We congratulate Mr Hunt on his appointment as Health Minister and look forward to meeting with the minister to discuss the importance of Aboriginal led medical services in developing and delivering health programs for more than 750,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote, regional and urban communities.

NACCHO has a very productive working relationship with Ken Wyatt in his role as Assistant Minister for Health and we’re very pleased it will continue now he is elevated to Minister for Indigenous Health and Aged Care – the first Aboriginal Australian to hold the office of Commonwealth Minister.”

National Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisation (NACCHO) Chair, Matthew Cooke:

Photo above 2008 : On the back of mounting community calls for action Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott signed the Close the Gap Statement of Intent in March 2008. Key ministers and other state and territory leaders soon followed. Here, Aboriginal parliamentarian, Ken Wyatt, signs the Close the Gap Statement of Intent

Download the NACCHO press release

naccho-welcomes-minister-greg-hunt-and-ken-wyatt

NACCHO the peak body for Aboriginal health services is looking forward to working with newly appointed Health Minister Greg Hunt and Minister for Indigenous Health Ken Wyatt to close the gap in health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

” NACCHO is especially proud to see Minister Wyatt attain such a senior position in the Turnbull government. The historic promotion, one of many for this Member of Parliament, is an acknowledgment of the high regard he achieved working as an assistant minister, his attention to detail and how respected he is in the Aboriginal community and health sectors across Australia.

As a previous Director of Aboriginal Health in the public services of NSW and WA he brings a unique perspective to the role. NACCHO will assist him in meeting the expectations of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to enjoy a quality of life through whole-of-community self-determination.

Minister Wyatt has many years of experience working in both Indigenous health and education, which is invaluable at a ministerial level and the understanding, needed to make progress towards Close the Gap targets” he said.

Mr. Cooke also thanked outgoing Health Minister Sussan Ley for her work in the portfolio and her support for NACCHO.

Last year 140 Aboriginal community controlled health organisations (ACCHOs) provided nearly 3 million episodes of care to over 340,000 clients.

” It is clear that putting Aboriginal health in Aboriginal hands is working ” Mr Cooke said

Ken Wyatt: new minister to tackle how Indigenous health funding used

” In health, Wyatt said he wanted particular improvements for children below the age of eight and young people generally.

Improving social determinants of health would help extend lifespan and achieve parity with all Australians.

The incoming Indigenous health minister, Ken Wyatt, has said he wants to tackle the “industry” in Aboriginal affairs siphoning funds into administration rather than frontline services ”

Wyatt made the comments to ABC Radio National on Thursday in an interview about his appointment as aged care and Indigenous health minister, which will make him the first Indigenous person to hold a commonwealth ministry.

Paul Karp writing in the Guardian

Wyatt has also broken from his Coalition colleagues who criticise Labor for considering debate on treaties with Indigenous people at the same time as constitutional recognition, saying the two are not in conflict and a “dual conversation” is possible.

He agreed it was in a sense “unbelievable” that it had taken this long for an Indigenous person to reach the ministry.

He said he and the other Indigenous members of parliament held their positions on merit and that sent “a very strong message to young Aboriginal Australians that their hopes and aspirations can be achieved in many arenas”.

“The ministerial appointment, including colleagues on the other side who have shadow appointments, sends home a very strong message that we can stand as equals amongst our peers.”

Wyatt agreed his appointment meant the federal government could implement policies that affected Indigenous people in a less paternalistic way, citing his participation on a cabinet subcommittee for Indigenous affairs. “Since I’ve been in the parliament … we’ve had the opportunity of shaping people’s thinking to focus on Indigenous issues in a different way.”

The emphasis had shifted to “working with Aboriginal people rather than doing things with them”, and he said working alongside Indigenous people had helped others understand issues in Indigenous communities.

Wyatt said he would aim to achieve “an all round improvement in Indigenous affairs, including the industry that has evolved around Aboriginal affairs that sees money being siphoned off to administration rather than directly to frontline [services]”.

In health, Wyatt said he wanted particular improvements for children below the age of eight and young people generally. Improving social determinants of health would help extend lifespan and achieve parity with all Australians.

On Wednesday night Wyatt told ABC’s 7.30 he still believed Australia was on track to achieve recognition of Indigenous Australians in the constitution.

He said aspirations among some Indigenous Australians for a treaty had not caused momentum for recognition to stall but had sparked a “dual conversation” on both concepts, which were not in conflict.

“I would certainly hope that we don’t abandon, nor set aside, our desire to have recognition within the foundation document of this country’s frameworks,” he said.

The comments are at odds with his Coalition colleagues who argue that Labor’s consideration of a treaty with Indigenous Australians puts at risk a “meaningful but modest” change in the form of constitutional recognition.

Wyatt did agree that recognition was the main priority, saying treaties are “a way forward but they’re not set in the … country’s [foundation] document and I’d rather see recognition first and then treaty”.

“I think the strength is in the constitution, because the constitution is the document that the high courts base their decisions around when challenges occur and in which legislation is framed against our founding document.”

NACCHO Advertisement

NACCHO has announced the publishing date for the 9 th edition of Australia’s first national health Aboriginal newspaper, the NACCHO Health News .

Publish date 6 April 2017

Working with Aboriginal community controlled and award-winning national newspaper the Koori Mail, NACCHO aims to bring relevant advertising and information on health services, policy and programs to key industry staff, decision makers and stakeholders at the grassroots level.

And who writes for and reads the NACCHO Newspaper ?

While NACCHO’s websites ,social media and annual report have been valued sources of information for national and local Aboriginal health care issues for many years, the launch of NACCHO Health News creates a fresh, vitalised platform that will inevitably reach your targeted audiences beyond the boardrooms.

NACCHO will leverage the brand, coverage and award-winning production skills of the Koori Mail to produce a 24 page three times a year, to be distributed as a ‘lift-out’ in the 14,000 Koori Mail circulation, as well as an extra 1,500 copies to be sent directly to NACCHO member organisations across Australia.

Our audited readership (Audit Bureau of Circulations) is 100,000 readers

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Contact : Colin Cowell Editor

Mobile : 0401 331 251

Email : nacchonews@naccho.org.au

NACCHO Aboriginal Health News alert : Health sector responds to third Federal health minister in 2 years

Greg Hunt has been named Australia’s new Health Minister as part of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s fourth reshuffle since taking the top office.

Mr Hunt is also the third Federal Health Minister in 2 years after Peter Dutton and Sussan Ley

See below for 8 responses from the health sector including AMA , AHHA, CHF, Winnunga ACCHO Pharmacy Guild of Australia , RACGP , Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Labor ( where you can also download their press releases )

NACCHO will be posting its response separately today

Ken Wyatt becomes first Indigenous person in Commonwealth ministry as Minister for Indigenous Health and Aged Care

What’s in store for new health minister Greg Hunt – A Primary care trial for 2017

The other areas of unfinished business according to Jim Gillespie ( see reponse 8 below ) offer more prospects. The government’s Health Care Homes pilot, commencing in July 2017, is a response to calls for a health system that is more focused on community-level primary care.

The experiment has been heavily criticised for a lack of funding and attempts to micromanage systems that are meant to be increasing GP initiatives.

With more political commitment, it could shift Australian health care towards rewarding prevention and more effective management of chronic illness. The alternative is expensive, disconnected high-tech patches to a system increasingly inaccessible to ordinary consumers.

1.Indigenous health, mental health, and prevention are priorities says AMA

“The AMA would like to see Mr Hunt get off to a flying start by scrapping the Government’s freeze of Medicare patient rebates, which is causing great hardship for patients and doctors,

The new Minister must also quickly get across the many reviews instigated by his predecessor, most importantly the review of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and the review of Private Health Insurance, which are key to the sustainability of our health system.

The ongoing issue of public hospital funding is another priority, along with Indigenous health, mental health, and prevention.”

Download AMA Press Release ama

AMA President, Dr Michael Gannon, today welcomed the appointment of Greg Hunt as Health Minister, saying that Mr Hunt’s experience as a senior Minister in the Environment and Industry portfolios should prepare him for the demands of the Health portfolio.

Dr Gannon said that Mr Hunt, who has been in Federal politics since 2001, and who was named Best Minister in the World at the 2016 World Government Summit, faces many challenges from day one in his new job.

2. WINNUNGA ACCHO welcomes new ministers

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service (Winnunga AHS) welcomes the appointment of Greg Hunt as Minister for Health, and the appointment of Australia’s first federal Indigenous Minister with Ken Wyatt’s elevation to the role of Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health.

“He comes in fresh and hopefully keeps an open mind and that between him and Ken we can really make some progress,”

With a sorry history of funding cuts in the health sector, Ms Tongs hopes the new minister, working with his newly-elevated colleague, Ken Wyatt, will see that keeping funding in “preventative health” will continue to save substantial money in the longer term.

“Greater effort, and resources, are crucial to preventative health so that we are not forever dealing with the impact of chronic disease,”

Ms Tongs praised the appointment of Ken Wyatt as Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health as “an excellent move by the Prime Minister”.

“I think that as minister for Indigenous health Ken will work in collaboration with our community.

“As an Aboriginal man I believe that he is aware of the challenges that face the Aboriginal health sector and Aboriginal health needs. He sees how valuable our sector is as an integral part of the health system right across the country,”

“I know that Minister Wyatt is keen to come to Winnunga AHS, and it would be good if he brought Mr Hunt with him.

“It’s about us and Minister Wyatt educating Minister Hunt about our sector,”

The Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health sector, more than being value for money, actually saves the community much more than it costs.

“We’ve had an economist look at our numbers, and we’ve got child protection, and a lot of other unfunded services that we provide here, so the $8.5 million we are funded actually provides a $40 million benefit to the ACT.

Download press release new-health-ministers-press-release

CEO, Julie Tongs is keen for both of the new ministers for health to come and take a tour of Winnunga AHS. She praised the appointment of Ken Wyatt as Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health as “an excellent move by the Prime Minister”.

Mr Hunt’s appointment also offers a “real opportunity” for a fresh start in the health sector.

3.Health Care Homes reform must deliver positive results for governments says AHHA

‘Greg Hunt is seen by his peers as a safe pair of hands, and a good performer. We are hoping that he will bring to the job a coordinated and considered approach to health policy, supporting a strong public sector as well as the private system, but always having regard to equity and affordability for patients.

‘Unfortunately, some policy decisions in the recent past, designed to streamline the system and save money, for example the freeze on Medicare rebates, have had their own side-effects of significant increases in out-of-pocket costs, and patients delaying seeking medical care as a result.

‘Delays in seeking care can lead to higher costs later on for the health system if that patient presents later in a worse state of health through lack of medical attention’

‘The positive Health Care Homes primary care reform initiated by the former Minister Sussan Ley will continue, but there are also substantial associated risks with this, including the funding of the program, its design, and its supporting e-health and data infrastructure.

‘Mr Hunt must consider these issues as the 2017–18 budget is formulated. The Health Care Homes reform must deliver positive results for governments, health services and consumers, or it will go the way of previous primary care reform attempts.

Download press release ahha

Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association Chief Executive Alison Verhoeven

4.It is time for a National Vision for Australia’s Health 2025 says CHF

” The Health portfolio is currently in the midst of a wide range of changes and reforms, and we look forward to engaging with the new Minister to progress these important issues

It is clear that the community values the current health system – particularly our current universal public health insurance scheme – and wants all Australians to have access to quality health services. We understand that reform is necessary if the system is to be sustainable and continue to meet community expectations.”

We encourage the new Minister to recognise the value and place of Medicare as many voters do. Well-managed changes to modernise Medicare and make it fit-for-purpose for the 21st century will include both costs and savings and must include steps to y ensure quality and equitable healthcare. Balancing health system priorities will not be easy and we recognise the fiscal challenges in ensuring Medicare continues to offer realistic benefits for patient care.

In our 2017 Federal budget submission we outline consumers’ priorities for health. We commend it to the Minister as a guide for consumers wants and needs in his new portfolio” “It is time for a National Vision for Australia’s Health 2025 and for the government to move away from the current budgetary requirement for all new health expenditures to be offset by savings in the health portfolio.

We also suggest that action is taken in the following five key areas for consumers: prevention, primary health care, private health insurance, pharmacy and patient safety and participation.

Download press release chf-australia

CHF’s chief executive officer, Leanne Wells said

5. Labor is giving the new Health Minister a “to-do” list

This morning the Turnbull Government changed their salesperson, but they didn’t change their health policy.

Greg Hunt will start day one as Health Minister inheriting a list of cuts and policies which will make health care more expensive and less accessible for every Australian.

Labor is giving the new Health Minister a “to-do” list on behalf of the millions of Australians who rejected this Governments unfair health policy at the last election:

Drop the Medicare freeze, which is already having an impact on bulk billing rates
and will drive up out-of-pocket costs;
Drop the unfair health cuts, such as cuts to pathology and bulk billing which will
make it more expensive to have vital tests and life-saving scans;
Reverse the cuts of $400 million to dental programs for children
And once and for all, drop the zombie cuts such as the planned increases to PBS co-payments for general patients, concession patients and those with chronic illnesses.

Millions of Australians rejected Malcolm Turnbull’s unfair cuts at the last election. The Liberals didn’t listen – they took the same cuts to 2017 that they took to the last election.

Time and time again, Malcolm Turnbull has proven that he simply doesn’t get it when it comes to the health of Australians.

A change of Minister won’t do anything unless the policies change as well.

Download press Release labor-response

CATHERINE KING MP SHADOW MINISTER

6.There are a number of unresolved issues of concern to community pharmacy in Australia

” Greg Hunt takes over the portfolio at a time when there are a number of unresolved issues of concern to community pharmacy in Australia

It is critical that these issues are addressed and resolved quickly and satisfactorily to give security to community pharmacists so they can continue their work in improving the health outcomes of all Australians.

During the year the Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement will reach its halfway mark and the Pharmacy Guild is committed to working with the Minister and the Federal Government to ensure the Agreement’s funding is fully and appropriately expended on programs and initiatives to improve health outcomes for patients and consumers.

To achieve this we need to work together to resolve any and all outstanding issues to clear the way to move forward.

Full Press Release

The National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, George Tambassis, said the Guild looked forward to working closely and constructively with Mr Hunt during what is a challenging time for the health system, and in particular for the community pharmacy sector.

7. The provision of essential medical care for Australians has reached a crossroads and the nation’s general practice profession is at breaking point says RACGP

“The decisions Minister Hunt makes over the coming months will have far reaching impacts for our health system, for many years to come.

Here is a fresh opportunity for the Federal Government to demonstrate once and for all it is committed to equity in health care and a general practice system accessible for all Australians.”

The first and most effective move Minister Hunt should make is to heed the RACGP’s call to lift the Medicare freeze.

With the freeze on patient Medicare rebates lifted, the profession will be better placed to collaborate with the government and discuss the best way forward for the Australian health system,

I also encourage Minister Hunt to progress the ongoing MBS review, which is an incredibly important policy instrument for strengthening general practice.

The RACGP supports a contemporary and evidence based health system that genuinely prioritises the delivery of high quality, safe patient care by highly skilled specialist GPs.”

Download press release

RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel said the appointment of a new health minister was a timely opportunity for the government to regroup and bolster its focus on general practice

8. What’s in store for new health minister Greg Hunt

Jim Gillespie Deputy Director, Menzies Centre for Health Policy & Associate Professor in Health Policy, University of Sydney

Greg Hunt was today announced as federal health (and sport) minister following Sussan Ley’s expenses scandal and subsequent resignation. Hunt will be the third minister to hold this portfolio since the Coalition was elected in 2013. Successful health ministers need well-honed political skills, a lot of patience and even more backbone for the very public battles needed for real change.

So far, the Coalition has not covered itself with glory in the health portfolio. Ley took over in 2014 from the hapless Peter Dutton – whose main achievement was to unite almost all sectors of health against his plans for co-payments for GP visits.

The freeze on GP payments was inherited from the Gillard government, but now seems to be a permanent part of primary care policy. The pressure on GP earnings creates strong incentives to introduce or increase co-payments. The result will be continued pressure in the sensitive area of bulk-billing rates.

Implementation of Ley’s many health reviews

Ley launched a series of major reviews of spending programs – especially the Medicare Benefits Scheme. The proposals from these reviews are now on the table, and Hunt will have difficulty implementing them.

Private health insurance provides one of the government’s most intractable quandaries. Some 20 years ago, then Prime Minister John Howard devised an assistance program to prop up a failing industry. Government subsidies, through the private health insurance rebate, now stand at more than A$6 billion, increasing at well over inflation and outstripping wages growth.

Last year Ley pushed funds to reduce their original claims. Hunt will shortly have to consider the next round of increases.

The core problem is costs, especially of hospital services. However, the government abandoned a significant attempt to reduce the costs of prostheses, so that private insurers would pay closer to the much lower prices negotiated by public hospitals. After intense lobbying from the private hospitals and manufacturers that benefit from the current system, these issues were shunted to yet another committee of inquiry.

More broadly, the private health insurance industry has been struggling to find a long term and sustainable place. For the first time since the 1990s, there has been a significant decline in the proportion of Australians buying insurance policies. Attempts to broaden its base – such as Medibank’s links with GP services – resulted in a backlash from consumers and medical practitioners.

The costs of unnecessary or low-value medical services has been at the heart of the government’s review of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) – the list of Medicare payments for services.

A recent series of articles in the prestigious Lancet journal, with substantial Australian content, has underlined the importance of improving the use of evidence-based approaches and value for money. The Lancet authors have stressed the need for system reform:

… policies must move beyond the purely incremental; that is, policies that merely tinker at the policy edges after underuse or overuse arises.

Expert taskforces led by clinicians to review the almost 6,000 MBS items have made detailed recommendations of changes to the use of items and levels of payment. Hunt will need to chart the government’s response to these recommendations. The MBS review has maintained an admirable air of consensus so far. This is unlikely to last as particular areas are singled out for action.

NACCHO News: Greg Hunt new Minister ” My health vision is simple, help give Australia the best health care system in the world

” Like every Australian, I have been privileged all my life to know and to meet and to be taken care of by the magnificent dedicated, professionals of our Australian health system.

The doctors, the nurses, the allied health care professionals, the researchers. These are the people that actually represent health in Australia.

The first thing I want to do is to acknowledge the role of our health care workers. Our professionals and also our volunteers whom we met here today at Peninsula Health.

They all give a fabulous contribution. We have some of the best health care professionals in the world.

There are extraordinary Australians involved in this sector. Then let me look forward to the vision.

My vision and our vision is very simple. That is to help give Australia the best health care system in the world.”

The Hon. Greg Hunt MP speaking at the Frankston Hospital about his appointment Minister for Sport and Health .

Photo above Greg Hunt and Sussan Ley 2016

Health touches every Australian. Every Australian parent, whether it’s of a young child, whether it’s of somebody who is older, every Australian young person, person in their middle age or senior simply wants to know that they can access doctors and nurses and simply wants to know that they can get the medicines that they need when they need it. That’s what health is about.

We are here in Frankston Hospital and I am very privileged to be Australia’s new health minister. I am especially pleased to be here, of all places, today.

My mother was a nurse and she worked here at Frankston Hospital. My wife is a nurse, my father met my mother here at Frankston Hospital and he spent his last weeks in the care of the magnificent staff here at Frankston Hospital.

Like every Australian, I have been privileged all my life to know and to meet and to be taken care of by the magnificent dedicated, professionals of our Australian health system.

The doctors, the nurses, the allied health care professionals, the researchers. These are the people that actually represent health in Australia.

The first thing I want to do is to acknowledge the role of our health care workers. Our professionals and also our volunteers whom we met here today at Peninsula Health.

They all give a fabulous contribution. We have some of the best health care professionals in the world. We have almost undoubtedly the best volunteer system in the world.

To acknowledge their work is fundamental and it is of deep personal importance. This is a role about which I am genuinely passionate because it is about my own family, it is about everybody’s family and it is about my family’s origins.

I also want to acknowledge, as part of that, the role of magnificent organisations, such as the AMA.

Such as our private health insurers who allow people to have choice. Our health care policy professionals and I have had many discussions already today with people such as Michael Gannon.

I have had discussions with people from private health insurance, our pharmacists, the head of the Pharmacy Guild does have a pharmacy in my electorate, so we have a long standing relationship.

There are extraordinary Australians involved in this sector. Then let me look forward to the vision.

My vision and our vision is very simple. That is to help give Australia the best health care system in the world.

Greg Hunt new Health Minister ” My vision is simple, help give Australia the best health care system in the world

To help give Australia the best health care system in the world. We are already outstanding. But we can be even better and that vision involves working with our medical researchers to find cures as we have seen with Gardasil and Venetoclax and different strains of cancer.

We can in our lives cure things which could never have been treated and the work we have seen here today Sue, in terms of the coronary care, is outstanding, that is absolutely the sort of breakthrough research applied by brilliant clinicians that makes a difference, that saves peoples’ lives.

I want to see us as the best health care system in the world and the best researchers in the world. In my previous role, I have seen how our innovation and science come together with our medical system to change peoples’ lives, to help provide cures.

Whether it is in areas such as cancer or diabetes. So many different other health areas. Stroke prevention, these are critical.

Then I want to go forward to looking at the system and within the system itself, let me start by making a statement.

Medicare is the fundamental underpinning of Australia’s health system. I have and we have a rock solid commitment to the future of Medicare.

It is simply indispensable and fundamental to our health care system. It is a deep personal passion and an absolute personal commitment and an absolute commitment of the Prime Minister and the Turnbull Government.

I also want to focus on mental health. This is something which, like many families, has touched my family.

I want mental health to be a critical part of my time in this role. I also want indigenous health to be a critical part of my time in this role.

Today, we celebrate the appointment of Ken Wyatt as not just the Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health, but the first indigenous Australian to be sworn in as a minister in the history of Australia.

That is a grand and important moment for Indigenous Australia and it is a grand and important moment for all Australians and something to celebrate and of which we should all be proud.

Finally, I want to note, in terms of sport. I am a sports fan and I am a sports dad.

What I want to do with sport is to have as many young Australians, as many Australians through their adult lives participate in sport.

I want to be the minister for participation in sport and yes, we have got to help make sure that our elite sports inspire young Australians to participate, bring us together and provide a way of bridging gaps across communities but above all else, I want to bring young Australians and those from disadvantaged backgrounds into a culture where they have sport, whatever is appropriate to them, as a fundamental opportunity.

I’d be happy to take any questions.

JOURNALIST:

Congratulations on your appointment. Are you open to repealing the Medicare freeze?

GREG HUNT:

You can understand I haven’t been sworn in yet. I wanted to set the vision today to talk with the representatives of so many sectors within the health space and as I say I have already had many calls so far.

I will continue to do that over the coming days and to take additional briefings and then once the swearing in as been completed, I will have more to say at that stage about particular policy directions but it is the vision of being the best health care in the world for Australians which I really want to set out today.

JOURNALIST:

Part of the calls that you did take today, did anyone bring up the Medicare freeze and the need to get rid of it?

GREG HUNT:

There will be a range of discussions and many people will raise many different things. I am setting out to listen and to hear, not just to listen but to hear and to learn over the coming days and weeks and progressively we will set out more policy directions but the broad vision is of the best health care system in the world.

I will work with doctors. I will work with nurses. I believe deeply in both professions. All our health care workers across different areas, especially our researchers as well.

I do want to reserve a special thanks to the nurses and to the GPs. One of the things that Michael Gannon said is he feels GPs may have been undervalued in Australia. I want to re-establish that value, their role, their importance, their trust in the community.

JOURNALIST:

When did the Prime Minister inform you about your appointment?

GREG HUNT:

These things are always finally confirmed later on in the process. There have been…

JOURNALIST:

Did you learn about your appointment through the Prime Minister or through media reports?

GREG HUNT:

I learned about my appointment through the Prime Minister.

JOURNALIST:

Are you disappointed to see less women in cabinet now?

GREG HUNT:

Look, there is always a balance. We have outstanding women. Remember this, we have Julie Bishop as Australia’s first female Foreign Minister.

There as the deputy leader of the Liberal Party. We have outstanding people but the point about diversity today is that Ken Wyatt has just been appointed as our first ever indigenous minister and that is a signature moment for Australia.

Long overdue. But finally realised. He will be outstanding, as is Dave Gillespie. I have to say David Gillespie, when I was ill in Canberra just a couple of months ago, made a home visit to me. He gets ten out of ten for his bedside manner.

JOURNALIST:

You are replacing a minister who resigned over an expenses scandal. There are reports you spent taxpayer money on family holidays. Can you talk to that?

GREG HUNT:

That is not a correct assessment of it. My role has always been to work as hard as I can and to visit communities and in the case of South-East Queensland, I was always working on things such as the biosphere, working on water quality, visiting sewerage treatment plants such as Luggage Point, Maroochy and others, working with environment groups, working with councils, working on so many different issues.

My approach has been to work as hard as I can and always be there for work and that is what has been the case and now it is about working even harder.

JOURNALIST:

Are you able to give a performance assessment on your predecessors time in this role?

GREG HUNT:

I have immense respect for both my predecessors, Peter Dutton and Sussan Ley. Each has made significant advances. It is a difficult and challenging area for the country because there is always more to be done.

Our task is get to be the best in the world whilst at the same time ensuring that we get the ultimate value for money and this is where the medium research comes in.

New drugs such as Venetoclax that I mentioned and Gardasil, will take real pressure off the health system and the off the health budget so as we can do more, even more.

Every year of course the health budget is going up and every year the Medicare budget is going up.

Every year the Medicare budget is increasing under the Turnbull Government and the broader health budget so I believe the predecessors have made very important steps but now it’s about building on that and taking it to that level.

JOURNALIST:

How would you describe Australia’s health system? Do you think it is a world class system?

GREG HUNT:

I think it is. People who come from elsewhere look at it and in many cases they wonder about how we achieve it but I think the answer is the medical staff.

We are blessed with the most extraordinary and outstanding GPs and specialised doctors, our surgeons and our physicians, our researchers, I am biased towards nurses, as the son of a nurse and as the husband of a nurse, I am biased to the nurses and our volunteers and our allied health workers. But I do, again, want to repeat that for GPs I want to be their Health Minister.

Thank you very much.

(ENDS)

NACCHO Aboriginal Health : PM appoints Ken Wyatt Minister for Indigenous Health , Greg Hunt Health Minister

” Ken Wyatt, who has been the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, will become the Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health. Just as Ken was the first indigenous person to be elected to the House of Representatives and the first to be appointed to the executive, he is now the first Indigenous person appointed to a Commonwealth Ministry.

His extensive knowledge and experience as a senior public servant in Indigenous health coupled with his work as an Assistant Minister in this portfolio will make him an ideal Minister for the area. “

Prime Ministers Malcolm Turnbull announcing new Ministerial Arrangements as a result of Sussan Ley resignation

Photo above #NACCHOagm2016 Launch speech @KenWyattMP NACCHO #HealthyFutures Report Card with NACCHO Chair Matthew Cooke

Today I am announcing changes to the Ministry that I will be recommending to His Excellency the Governor General.

I am pleased to announce that Greg Hunt will become the Minister for Health and Minister for Sport.

Greg has previously served as Minister for the Environment, and Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science. He has strong policy, analytical and communication skills developed over a long front bench career.

During his time as Environment Minister he demonstrated an ability to grapple with extremely complex policy issues, engage a diverse range of stakeholders and interest groups including State and Territory Governments.

Greg Hunt’s Press Release

Appointment as Minister for Health and Sport

Health touches the lives of every Australian. It is essential that people can see a doctor when they need to and have medicine when they are not well.

For this reason, I am deeply honoured to take on this new and very important responsibility.

My mother was a nurse. My wife is a nurse. All my life I have witnessed the absolute dedication of Australia’s medical professionals.

I now look forward to working with our excellent nurses, doctors, researchers, and all our healthcare professionals.

Our scientists are recognised as some of the best in the world for their medical breakthroughs.

I am passionate about turning what is done in the laboratory into better healthcare for patients, and more effectively preventing illness in the first place.

I believe deeply in the importance of Medicare. It is key to Australia’s successful healthcare system.

The Turnbull Government has a rock solid commitment to the fundamental role that Medicare plays in our health system.

Mental health is an issue that is very close to my heart. I want to be a strong advocate for greater understanding and community awareness, and to ensure we have the necessary resources to help deal with this very important issue.

And as a sports fan and sports Dad, I am also thrilled to be working towards getting more Australians, including indigenous Australians, involved in sport.

Our love of sport is quintessentially Australian. Sport improves our health, brings communities together and inspires us.

Lastly, I am pleased to be working with the Hon Ken Wyatt AM and the Hon Dr David Gillespie in their respective roles.

(ENDS)

Senator Arthur Sinodinos will take over as Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science. This portfolio is critical to generating the jobs of the future and Senator Sinodinos’ extensive public policy experience gives him a strong understanding of the key drivers of new sources of economic growth.

As Cabinet Secretary, Arthur restored traditional cabinet processes. That being done, he can now turn his talents to a front line portfolio and the Cabinet Secretary function can return to the Prime Minister’s Office as has been the practice of Coalition Governments.

This will reduce the size of the Cabinet by one.

The Special Minister of State, Senator Scott Ryan, will continue to support the work of the Cabinet as ‘Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cabinet’.

There will be other changes to the outer Ministry.

As senior minister, Mr Hunt will of course represent the Aged Care sector in Cabinet.

Dr. David Gillespie will continue to serve in the portfolio as Assistant Minister for Health.

Michael Sukkar will be appointed Assistant Minister to the Treasurer.

These changes will further strengthen my Ministry by combining experience and new talent. It’s a team that’s focused on delivering for all Australians.

The new Ministers will be sworn in by the Governor General in Canberra on Tuesday.

Media contacts:

Prime Minister’s Press Office: (02) 6277 7744

NACCHO Aboriginal Health : A call to acknowledge the harmful history of nursing for Aboriginal people

” While we ourselves did not work there, the societal beliefs interwoven with the professional theories practised at that time are a legacy we have inherited. Those attitudes and practices remain present within our professional space.

Have we done sufficient work to decolonise ourselves?

Decolonising is a conscious practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses. It involves recognising the impact of the beliefs and practices of the coloniser on ourselves at a personal and professional level, then disavowing ourselves from them.

We talk about this in CATSINaM with our Members. We invite our non-Indigenous colleagues to engage in this self-reflective conversation through many aspects of our work.

Janine Mohamed (right), CEO of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM), argues we should.

Is it time for the nursing and midwifery professions to reflect on our historical involvement in the subjugation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and consider whether we owe a statement of regret for our failures as part of the wider healthcare system to respond to the needs of Aboriginal Australians?

Do formal apologies mean anything?

We welcome your input on this fundamental issue for Australians – and especially input from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives.

Editorial Nurse Uncut Conversations

In September 2016, the Australian Psychological Society issued a formal apology to Indigenous Australians for their past failure as a profession to respond to the needs of Aboriginal patients.

In the past, the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association and the ANMF more broadly have issued statements of apology for our professions’ involvement in the practices associated with the forced adoption of babies from the 1950s to 1980s.

In doing so we recognised that while those nurses and midwives were working under direction, it was often they who took the babies away from mothers who had been forced, pressured and coerced into relinquishing their children and we apologised for and acknowledged the pain these mothers, fathers and children had experienced in their lives as a result.

Following the recent commendable move by the Australian Psychological Society, is it now time for the nursing and midwifery professions to reflect on our historical involvement as healthcare providers in the subjugation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and consider whether we owe a similar statement of regret for our failures as part of the wider healthcare system to respond to the needs of Aboriginal Australians?

But firstly, do such apologies mean anything?

Professor Alan Rosen AO (a non-indigenous psychiatrist) makes a cogent argument for an apology by the Australian mental health professions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples:

The recent apology by the Australian Psychological Society to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is of profound national and international significance.

The APS is believed to be the first mental health professional representative body in the world to endorse and adopt such a specific apology to indigenous peoples for what was done to them by the profession as part of, or in the name of, mental health/psychological assessment, treatment and care.

The APS Board also substantially adopted the recommendation of its Indigenous Psychologists’ Advisory Group (IPAG), whose Indigenous and non-Indigenous members crafted this apology together. This sets a fine precedent.

As some other Australian mental health professional bodies are still considering whether to make such an apology, it is to be hoped that the APS has set a new trend. The APS has provided a robust example of how to do it well and in a way that it is more likely to be considered to be sincere and acceptable by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Historically, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have suffered much more incarceration, inappropriate diagnoses and treatments and more control than care in the hands of mental health professionals, facilities and institutions.

This is also true for all First Nations peoples, globally.

Professor Rosen argues that such apologies demonstrate concern for possible historical wrongs, either deliberate or unwitting, by professionals and institutions and the enduring mental health effects of colonialism. The Croakey.org article goes on to describe the purposes and goals of an apology, why they are worth doing and proposes a template.

So, just as we have recognised and apologised for the role our professions played in forced adoptions, is it now time to examine and take responsibility for our professions’ historical contribution to undermining Indigenous Australians’ social and emotional health and wellbeing?

Janine Mohamed (right), CEO of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM), argues we should.

Between 1908 and 1919, hundreds of Aboriginal patients were incarcerated in the Lock Hospitals off the coast of Carnarvon, with more than 150 people dying there. The West Australian government established the hospitals for the treatment of Aboriginal people with sexually transmitted infections, but there remains considerable doubt as to the accuracy of such diagnoses – many of which were made by police officers.

The Fantome Island Lock Hospital operated in Queensland from 1928-45 under similar arrangements, detaining Aboriginal people with suspected sexually transmitted infections. There was also a lazaret on Fantome Island (1939-73) for segregated treatment of Aboriginal people with Hansen’s disease.

Aboriginal people taken to the hospitals were often forcibly removed from their families and communities and transported in traumatic conditions, in chains and under police guard. There is also evidence of medical experimentation and abuse.
The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association has embarked on the process of developing a Reconciliation Action Plan. As a first step, over coming months we will be working on developing a more thorough understanding of how historical practices have affected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our care.

We welcome feedback, especially from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues.

NACCHO Aboriginal Health and Chronic Disease #prevention

” The Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance recommends that the Australian Government introduce a health levy on sugar-sweetened beverages, as part of a comprehensive approach to decreasing overweight and obesity, and with revenue supporting public education campaigns and initiatives to prevent chronic disease and address childhood obesity.

A health levy on sugar-sweetened beverages should not be viewed as the single solution to the obesity epidemic in Australia.

Rather, it should be one component of a comprehensive approach, including restrictions on children’s exposure to marketing of these products, restrictions on their sale in schools, other children’s settings and public institutions, and effective public education campaigns[42].

Health levy on sugar-sweetened beverages

ACDPA Position Statement

Key messages

 The Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (ACDPA) recommends that the Australian Government introduce a health levy on sugar-sweetened beverages (sugary drinks)i, as part of a comprehensive approach to decreasing overweight and obesity.
 Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is associated with increased energy intake and in turn, weight gain and obesity. Obesity is an established risk factor for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and certain cancers.
 Beverages are the largest source of free sugars in the Australian diet. One in two Australians usually exceed the World Health Organization recommendation to limit free sugars to 10% of daily intake (equivalent to 12 teaspoons of sugar).
 Young Australians are the highest consumers of sugar-sweetened beverages, along with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and socially disadvantaged groups.
 Young people, low-income consumers and those most at risk of obesity are most responsive to food and beverage price changes, and are likely to gain the largest health benefit from a levy on sugary drinks due to reduced consumption.
 A health levy on sugar-sweetened beverages in Australia is estimated to reduce consumption and potentially prevent thousands of cases of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke over 25 years. The levy could generate revenue of $400-$500 million each year, which could support public education campaigns and initiatives to prevent chronic disease and address childhood obesity.
 A health levy on sugar-sweetened beverages should not be viewed as the single solution to the obesity epidemic in Australia. Rather, it should be one component of a comprehensive approach, including restrictions on children’s exposure to marketing of these products, restrictions on their sale in schools, other children’s settings and public institutions, and effective public education campaigns.

i ‘Sugar-sweetened beverages’ and sugary drinks are used interchangeably in this paper. This refers to all non-alcoholic water based beverages with added sugar, including sugar-sweetened soft drinks and flavoured mineral waters, fortified waters, energy and electrolyte drinks, fruit and vegetable drinks, and cordials. This term does not include milk-based products, 100% fruit juice or non-sugar sweetened beverages (i.e. artificial, non-nutritive or intensely sweetened). 2

About ACDPA

The Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (ACDPA) brings together five leading non-government health organisations with a commitment to reducing the growing incidence of chronic disease in Australia attributable to overweight and obesity, poor nutrition and physical inactivity. ACDPA members are: Cancer Council Australia; Diabetes Australia; Kidney Health Australia; National Heart Foundation of Australia; and the Stroke Foundation.

This position statement is one of a suite of ACDPA statements, which provide evidence-based information and recommendations to address modifiable risk factors for chronic disease. ACDPA position statements are designed to inform policy and are intended for government, non-government organisations, health professionals and the community.

www.acdpa.org.au

Chronic disease

Chronic diseases are the leading cause of illness, disability, and death in Australia, accounting for around 90% of all deaths in 2011[1]. One in two Australians (i.e. more than 11 million) had a chronic disease in 2014-15 and almost one quarter of the population had at least two conditions[2].

However, much chronic disease is actually preventable. Around one third of total disease burden could be prevented by reducing modifiable risk factors, including overweight and obesity, physical inactivity and poor diet[2].

Overweight and obesity

Overweight and obesity is the second greatest contributor to disease burden and increases risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and some cancers[2].

The rates of overweight and obesity are continuing to increase. Almost two-thirds of Australians are overweight or obese and one in four Australian children are already overweight or obese[2]. Children who are overweight are also more likely to grow up to become overweight or obese adults, with an increased risk of chronic disease and premature mortality[3].

The cost of obesity in Australia was estimated to be $8.6 billion in 2011-12, comprising $3.8 billion in direct costs and $4.8 billion in indirect costs[4]. If no further action is taken to slow obesity rates in Australia, the cost of obesity over the next 10 years to 2025 is estimated to total $87.7 billion[4].

Free sugars and weight gain

There is increasing evidence that high intake of free sugarsii is associated with weight gain due to excess energy intake and dental caries[5]. The World Health Organization (WHO) strongly recommends reducing free sugar intake to less than 10% of total energy intake (equivalent to around 12 teaspoons of sugar), or to 5% for the greatest health benefits[5].

ii ‘Free sugars’ refer to sugars added to foods and beverages by the manufacturer, cook or consumer, and sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates.

In 2011-12, more than half of Australians usually exceeded the recommendation to limit free sugar intake to 10%[6]. There was wide variation in the amounts of free sugars consumed, with older children and teenagers most likely to exceed the recommendation and adults aged 51-70 least likely to exceed the recommendation[6]. On average, Australians consumed around 60 grams of free sugars each day (around 14 teaspoons)[6]. Children and young people were the highest consumers, with adolescent males and females consuming the equivalent of 22 and 17 teaspoons of sugar each day respectively [6].

Beverages contribute more than half of free sugar intake in the Australian diet[6]. In 2011-12, soft drinks, sports and energy drinks accounted for 19% of free sugar intake, fruit juices and fruit drinks contributed 13%, and cordial accounted for 4.9%[6]. 3

Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption

In particular, sugar-sweetened beverages are mostly energy-dense but nutrient-poor. Sugary drinks appear to increase total energy intake due to reduced satiety, as people do not compensate for the additional energy consumed by reducing their intake of other foods or drinks[3, 7]. Sugar-sweetened beverages may also negatively affect taste preferences, especially amongst children, as less sweet foods may become less palatable[8].

Sugar-sweetened beverages are consumed by large numbers of Australian adults and children[9], and Australia ranks 15th in the world for sales of caloric beverages per person per day[10].

One third of Australians consumed sugar-sweetened beverages on the day before the Australian Health Survey interview in 2011-12[9]. Of those consuming sweetened beverages, the equivalent of a can of soft drink was consumed (375 mL)[9]. Children and adolescents were more likely to have consumed sugary drinks than adults (47% compared with 31%), and consumption peaked at 55% amongst adolescents[9]. Males were more likely than females to have consumed sugary drinks (39% compared with 29%)[9].

Australians living in areas with the highest levels of socioeconomic disadvantage were more likely to have consumed sugary drinks than those in areas of least disadvantage (38% compared with 31%)[9]. Half of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people consumed sugary drinks compared to 34% of non-Indigenous people[9]. Amongst those consuming sweetened beverages, a greater amount was consumed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders than for non-Indigenous people (455 mL compared with 375 mL)[9]. 4

The health impacts of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption

WHO and the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) recommend restricting or avoiding intake of sugar-sweetened beverages, based on evidence that high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages may increase risk of weight gain and obesity[7, 11]. As outlined earlier, obesity is an established risk factor for a range of chronic diseases[2].

The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend limiting intake of foods and drinks containing added sugars, particularly sugar-sweetened beverages, based on evidence of a probable association between sugary drink consumption and increased risk of weight gain in adults and children, and a suggestive association between soft drink consumption and an increased risk of reduced bone strength, and dental caries in children[3].

Type 2 diabetes

Sugar-sweetened drinks may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes[3]. Evidence indicates a significant relationship between the amount and frequency of sugar-sweetened beverages consumed and increased risk of type 2 diabetes[12, 13]. The risk of type 2 diabetes is estimated to be 26% greater amongst the highest consumers (1 to 2 servings/day) compared to lowest consumers (<1 serving/month)[13].

Cardiovascular disease and stroke

The consumption of added sugar by adolescents, especially sugar-sweetened soft drinks, has been associated with multiple factors that can increase risk of cardiovascular disease regardless of body size, and increased insulin resistance among overweight or obese adolescents[14].

A high sugar diet has been linked to increased risk of heart disease mortality[15, 16]. Consuming high levels of added sugar is associated with risk factors for heart disease such as weight gain and raised blood pressure[17]. Excessive dietary glucose and fructose have been shown to increase the production and accumulation of fatty cells in the liver and bloodstream, which is linked to cardiovascular disease, and kidney and liver disease[18]. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the major causes of chronic liver disease and is associated with the development of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease[18].

There is also emerging evidence that sugar-sweetened beverage consumption may be independently associated with increased risk of stoke[19].

Chronic kidney disease

There is evidence of an independent association between sugar-sweetened soft drink consumption and the development of chronic kidney disease and kidney stone formation[20]. The risk of developing chronic kidney disease is 58% greater amongst people who regularly consume at least one sugar-sweetened soft drink per day, compared with non-consumers[21].

Cancer

While sugar-sweetened beverages may contribute to cancer risk through their effect on overweight and obesity, there is no evidence to suggest that these drinks are an independent risk factor for cancer[7]. 5

A health levy on sugar-sweetened beverages

WHO recommends that governments consider taxes and subsidies to discourage consumption of less healthy foods and promote healthier options[22]. WHO concludes that there is “reasonable and increasing evidence that appropriately designed taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages would result in proportional reductions in consumption, especially if aimed at raising the retail price by 20% or more”[23].

Price influences consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages[24, 25]. Young people, low-income consumers and those most at risk of obesity are most responsive to food and beverage price changes, and are likely to gain the largest health benefit from a levy on sugary drinks due to reduced consumption[23]. While a health levy would result in lower income households paying a greater proportion of their income in additional tax, the financial burden across all households is small, with minimal differences between higher- and lower-income households (less than $5 USD per year)[26].

A 2016 study modelled the impact of a 20% ad valorem excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in Australia over 25 years[27]. The levy could reduce sugary drink consumption by 12.6% and reduce obesity by 2.7% in men and 1.2% in women[27]. Over 25 years, there could be 16,000 fewer cases of type 2 diabetes, 4,400 fewer cases of ischaemic heart disease and 1,100 fewer strokes[27]. In total, 1,600 deaths could potentially be prevented[27].

The 20% levy was modelled to generate more than $400 million in revenue each year, even with a decline in consumption, and save $609 million in overall health care expenditure over 25 years[27]. The implementation cost was estimated to be $27.6 million[27].

A separate Australian report is supportive of an excise tax on the sugar content of sugar-sweetened beverages, to reduce consumption and encourage manufacturers to reformulate to reduce the sugar content in beverages[28]. An excise tax at a rate of 40 cents per 100 grams was modelled to reduce consumption by 15% and generate around $500 million annually in revenue[28]. While a sugary drinks levy is not the single solution to obesity, the introduction of a levy could promote healthier eating, reduce obesity and raise revenue to combat costs that obesity imposes on the broader community.

There is public support for a levy on sugar-sweetened beverages. Sixty nine percent of Australian grocery buyers supported a levy if the revenue was used to reduce the cost of healthy foods[29]. A separate survey of 1,200 people found that 85% supported levy revenue being used to fund programs reducing childhood obesity, and 84% supported funding for initiatives encouraging children’s sport[30].

An Australian levy on sugar-sweetened beverages is supported by many public health groups and professional organisations.

NACCHO Aboriginal Health : A new Health Minister must address the #medicare rebate #freeze – a barrier to health reform

” The Medicare rebate freeze, which has been in place since 2010, had become a barrier to reform between the health sector and the Coalition.

It really does represent a major issue and I think it would be a fabulous sign of good faith with any new minister if they were able to move on that measure,”

Australian Medical Association president Dr Michael Gannon Speaking to Sarah Martin at The Australian

Read AMA President press coverage at NACCHO News Alerts

Doctors are calling for the country’s incoming health minister to reset the government’s relationship with the sector by ending a controversial freeze on Medicare payments.

With Malcolm Turnbull expected to announce a new health minister either today or tomorrow, doctor groups say lifting the freeze would restore faith with the sector and ease the path for future reform.”

The Prime Minister is considering a limited reshuffle, with Cabinet Secretary Arthur Sinodinos or Industry Minister Greg Hunt most likely to take on the portfolio.

Australian Medical Association president Michael Gannon said whoever took on the politically sensitive portfolio needed to implement reforms once reviews established by former minister Sussan Ley were completed, including one examining payments made under the Medicare Benefit Schedule.

“I am sure if the government lifted the freeze next week then they would be less likely to have the College of GPs complaining about other elements of government policy.”

President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Bastian Seidel said the organisation wanted to see the government adopt evidence-based policy that would endure regardless of who held the portfolio.

Dr Seidel said the RACGP would be calling for an immediate end to the freeze on Medicare rebates for doctors, saying it would make a “significant difference” to patients.

“The top priority for the RACGP and our members and our patients is to lift the Medicare rebate freeze for general practice,” Dr Seidel said.

He said ending the freeze on payments to doctors would cost $150 million a year, and called for a reprieve over the next two years while a review of the MBS was completed.

Mr Turnbull is understood to be considering whether he reduces the size of cabinet from 23 to 22 ministers, while increasing the outer ministry from seven to eight to maintain the ministry at its current level of 30.

Doing so would likely see the elevation of an assistant minister to the outer ministry, with conservative NSW MP Angus Taylor a frontrunner.

NACCHO Aboriginal Health Employment alert : Oxfam #ClosetheGap Aboriginal Policy and Advocacy Lead

” Lead and manage Oxfam Australia’s policy and advocacy work in key public campaigns such as Close the Gap and Change the Record; identify opportunities for Oxfam to engage policy makers and the public in relation to our work on Indigenous rights; oversee the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of our policy and advocacy work “

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy and Advocacy Lead

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s Program (ATSIPP) – Oxfam Australia

Full Time, 35 hours per week
Permanent role
Melbourne, Sydney or Canberra based (with regular interstate travel)
Remuneration package $98,010 including superannuation

The Role

Oxfam Australia is one of Australia’s largest independent non-government organisations focusing on international aid and development. We have a strong commitment to the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and has been working to support self – determination for over 30 years. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Program (ATSIPP) sits within the Programs Directorate.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy and Advocacy Lead is responsible for Oxfam Australia’s policy and advocacy work on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights including the development and implementation of advocacy strategies; the development, analysis and review of policy and research; the management of key stakeholder relationships and the coordination of public campaigns.

Key features of this role will be:

Lead and manage Oxfam Australia’s policy and advocacy work in key public campaigns such as Close the Gap and Change the Record; identify opportunities for Oxfam to engage policy makers and the public in relation to our work on Indigenous rights; oversee the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of our policy and advocacy work;
Establish strong and productive relationships with high level external stakeholders including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and organisations, relevant partners, allies and coalitions in the private and not for profit sectors, and the Australian Government;
Coordinate Oxfam’s research related to the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and work with our media staff to maximise the impact of research.

In order to be successful the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy and Advocacy Lead will not only work closely with the ATSIPP team but also with staff in our Public Policy and Advocacy and Active Citizenship units. The Policy and Advocacy Lead will also need engage with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and organisations in key sectors of health, justice and Indigenous rights.

Selection Criteria

Demonstrated high level understanding of the Australian political system at Federal, State and Territory levels and current state of Indigenous policy within these jurisdictions;
Demonstrated experience working in cross cultural settings and in particular working effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, organisations, and communities;
High level understanding of human rights, with a particular focus on the rights of and issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
Experience working collaboratively in large coalitions or alliances under the direction of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership;
Excellent people management and interpersonal skills, including negotiation, diplomacy and collegiality in cross-cultural contexts with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people;
Ability to translate complex public policy issues into clearly written material for lobbying, media and other communications;

This is a great opportunity to support Oxfam’s work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations. We offer a flexible and supportive team environment of professionals dedicated to making a difference. It would be an ideal opportunity to learn more about Oxfam’s approach to program, policy and advocacy work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

How to Apply

Please visit https://www.oxfam.org.au/my/jobs for application details
To apply, please submit your CV, cover letter and a response addressing the required selection criteria outlined above in this ad
Applications close Friday 10 February 2017 5pm (AEST)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply.

Appointment to this position will require a satisfactory clearance of a police check and/or working with children check.

Oxfam Australia is committed to the safeguarding of children and young people.

To be eligible for this position, you must have the legal right to work in Australia.

NACCHO Aboriginal Eye Health : A game changer for #eye care for #diabetes

” Diabetes is also a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Indigenous people and causes 12% of vision loss cases and 9% of blindness cases — rates that are 14 times higher than those in the non-Indigenous population.4

There are many reasons why Indigenous people with diabetes do not receive the appropriate care they need; the Roadmap to close the gap for vision lists 35 individual problems that need to be dealt with to provide this care.7,8

Professor Hugh Taylor

As published MJA : Non-mydriatic photography may be the key to accessible eye care for references

The Roadmap to Close the Gap for Vision has played a part in prompting actions that contribute to this improvement. The Roadmap outlines a whole of system approach to improving Indigenous eye health, and achieving equity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal eye health outcomes.

There is however still work to be done on Closing the Gap for Vision. For example, half of Indigenous participants with diabetes had not had the recommended retinal examination.

NACCHO has been involved with the Roadmap from its inception, and had a long relationship with Indigenous Eye Health at the University of Melbourne, and with RANZCO. We’re pleased with the great work and good progress being made.”

Ms Patricia Turner, Chief Executive Officer, of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) launching The 2016 Annual Update on the Implementation of the Roadmap to Close the Gap for Vision November 2016

Download a copy

2016-annualupdate

Every patient with diabetes is at risk of losing vision, but up to 98% of the cases of severe vision loss could be prevented.1 At any given time, about a third of patients with diabetes will have diabetic retinopathy, and one in ten will experience sight-threatening retinopathy requiring prompt treatment.2

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines recommend an eye examination every 2 years for non-Indigenous Australians with diabetes, and annual examinations for Indigenous people with diabetes.3

However, approximately only half of non-Indigenous patients with diabetes and only one in five of Indigenous Australians with diabetes receive the recommended eye examinations.4

Although the prevalence rates of diabetes have increased dramatically in Australia over recent years, they have increased even more so among Indigenous people. In the 1970s, the prevalence of diabetes among Indigenous people was one-tenth that of non-Indigenous people,5 and now it is about five times higher.6

For patients with diabetes, maintaining good vision is an essential goal. Not only is good vision important in its own right but, without it, patients cannot manage their diabetes, look after medications, check blood sugars, check their feet and attend clinic appointments unassisted, let alone manage home dialysis.

Diabetes is also a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Indigenous people and causes 12% of vision loss cases and 9% of blindness cases — rates that are 14 times higher than those in the non-Indigenous population.

4 There are many reasons why Indigenous people with diabetes do not receive the appropriate care they need; the Roadmap to close the gap for vision lists 35 individual problems that need to be dealt with to provide this care.7,8

Consistent with the Roadmap is an important announcement in the May 2016 federal Budget of the new Medicare items for non-mydriatic photography (listed in November 2016), which will enable easy and affordable eye screening within the primary care setting for patients with diabetes.9 This is a very important development and a game changer for both non-Indigenous and Indigenous people with diabetes.

The new item numbers cover a test of visual acuity and a retinal photograph.9 Patients with abnormalities in the eye will need to be referred to a specialist for further assessment and treatment. Patients with a normal eye examination will be reviewed again according to the NHMRC recommendations.

Non-mydriatic cameras are now readily available, and most are at least semi-automatic, making them easier to use by clinic staff. Moreover, non-mydriatic cameras do not require the use of dilating drops, which facilitates patient assessment.

The patient does not need to wait and there is no discomfort of blurry vision for several hours as the drops wear off. Testing visual acuity and taking a retinal photograph in the primary care setting means that a separate specialist appointment is not required, and the eye examination can be easily incorporated into the care plan.

If the vision is found to be impaired or a photograph cannot be obtained, then the patient requires a comprehensive eye examination and should be referred to a specialist, as in the case of visible signs of retinopathy.

This method provides real benefits to patients because the eye examination becomes an integral part of their normal care, avoiding in many cases the need for an additional eye examination and allowing timely treatment, if required. There is a real advantage for the clinic as well, since they can be sure that their patients are receiving the necessary eye examinations.

Moreover, there are also advantages for optometrists and ophthalmologists, because people with diabetes who particularly need their care — those with retinopathy and vision loss — will be referred, rather than them seeing people for widespread screening.

Of course, it is expected that the overall number of people with diabetes being screened will increase significantly, and that changes in the eye will be found much earlier and severe retinopathy will be avoided.

There is also a tangible advantage to the community through cost savings in the identification and care of retinopathy, which will prevent unnecessary blindness and vision loss.10

The impact will be particularly noted among Indigenous people with diabetes, who represent three-quarters of the Indigenous adults who need an eye examination each year.7,

8 In addition to diabetic retinopathy, people with diabetes have an increased risk of cataract and may also need a change in glasses.

To provide adequate eye care to people with diabetes, a referral process for the treatment of retinopathy needs to be established, along with a process of specialist referral for appropriate further investigation and treatment — including post-operative follow-up when required — for those who need cataract surgery or refraction. Those who do not have diabetes will also use these pathways.

The focus on eye care for Indigenous people with diabetes will therefore deal with over 70% of the eye care needs in the community, and it will also assist with providing care for Indigenous patients who do not have diabetes. Again, it is a real game changer.

There are a number of resources to assist with the uptake and promotion of these new services. There are online modules aimed at helping clinic staff learn more about the eye care required for people with diabetes,11,12 for conducting eye examinations and for grading diabetic retinopathy.

In addition, culturally appropriate health promotion material has been specifically developed with close community involvement, which aims to alert and inform patients and the community about the need for regular eye examinations.13

It is said that “what is not measured is not done” and that “what is not monitored cannot be managed”. It is very important that appropriate monitoring and evaluation processes to track performance are put in place at the clinic, regional, jurisdictional and national levels. The diabetic eye screening rate should be a key performance indicator for primary care and diabetes clinics.

The new Medicare item number for non-mydriatic diabetic retinopathy screening is a major advance in closing the gap for vision.

NACCHO Aboriginal Health News Alert : Expressions of interest invited from emerging consumer/carer leaders @CHFofAustralia , @NRHAlliance , @AUMentalHealth

” Our aim is to involve individuals who are emerging consumer/carer leaders. By this we mean individuals who have started to be involved in health consumer/carer representation or advocacy work, perhaps at a local, regional or state/territory level, and who are enthusiastic and interested in doing more or different roles, particularly at the national level.

The Colloquium is occurring at a time when the value of people-centred approaches to policy is gaining currency. The health and social care horizon is rapidly changing and we face many challenges as well as growing opportunity for reform and innovation.”

CHF, NRHA and MHA are working together to hold a Consumer and Carer Leadership Colloquium on 20-21 March 2017 in Canberra. Colloquium participants are being selected from CHF, NRHA and MHA networks.

CHF therefore seeks expressions of interest from individuals who are interested in participating in the Colloquium, and who will benefit from its focus on emerging consumer/carer leaders.

Online applications here

Why a Colloquium?

The three host organisations all work with consumers/carers who are interested in advocating for a better Australian health system.

Our ways of working with these leaders may differ and we may use different terminology, but we have a shared interest in:

identifying and nurture emerging consumer/carer leaders with potential and interest to participate in and shape health reform at the national level;
supporting consumer/carer leaders to act with impact and influence;
providing opportunities for cross-fertilisation of ideas from consumer/carer leaders with different perspectives on the health system; and
growing and diversifying our pools of consumer/carer leaders.

What is a colloquium?

A colloquium is an interactive conference-style event. Our Colloquium is an opportunity to discuss issues of importance to emerging health consumer/carer leaders. It will have a learning, development and planning focus.

Who is the Colloquium aimed at?

Up to 80 consumers/carers will participate in the Colloquium. The Colloquium is a learning and development forum. We seek participants who want to achieve a more consumer-centred health system and enjoy sharing ideas with other like-minded people.

Our aim is to involve individuals who are emerging consumer/carer leaders. By this we mean individuals who have started to be involved in health consumer/carer representation or advocacy work, perhaps at a local, regional or state/territory level, and who are enthusiastic and interested in doing more or different roles, particularly at the national level.

All expressions of interest will be assessed on their merits.

What is the time commitment?

You will need to be able to be in Canberra for:

the Colloquium networking dinner on the evening of 20 March 2017; and
the Colloquium itself on 21 March 2017.

You will also benefit from participating in two lead-in webinars on 8 and 15 March 2017. The webinars will be for one hour.

The Colloquium program will include a mix of interactive and expert-led sessions, including peer experts. The two lead-in webinars will provide background information about national health reform, allowing more informed discussion at the Colloquium itself.

What is the cost?

Your travel and accommodation costs will be met. Meals will be provided, but not drinks at the networking dinner. Sitting fees will not be paid.

What will participants get out of the Colloquium?

As an emerging consumer/carer leader, the Colloquium program will provide you with an opportunity to:

to discuss and better understand the health reform environment, implications and opportunities;
learn some new leadership skills and mentorship practices;
join an emerging leaders network as well as existing consumer/carer networks through CHF, MHA and NRHA;
discuss and identify development, mentorship and leadership needs of emerging consumer/carer leaders.

What outcomes will result from the Colloquium?

In addition to what you as an individual can expect to get out of your participation at the Colloquium, the Colloquium is designed to generate a plan of action for future co-operation to strengthen the role of the consumer/carer community in shaping health and related policy. Such an action plan could include, for example, a future webinar program, online discussion forums, etc.

How do I express interest in participating in the Colloquium?

If you would like to be considered as a Colloquium participant, please complete the following form and submit it by 5 February 2017. Following our selection process, we will advise you if your expression of interest has been successful by 24 February 2017.

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Why a Colloquium?

What is a colloquium?

Who is the Colloquium aimed at?

What is the time commitment?

What is the cost?

What will participants get out of the Colloquium?

What outcomes will result from the Colloquium?

How do I express interest in participating in the Colloquium?

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