9 August : Beyond Survival March for Aboriginal Rights – Better Solutions for a Better Future
NSW Aboriginal Land Council and the Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (CAPO) says it is time governments and policy-makers commit to actively engaging the expertise of Aboriginal community controlled organisations.
“That is why we are marching on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples,” said Councillor Roy Ah-See, Chair of NSWALC and Co-Chair of CAPO.
“CAPO’s expertise across health, education, cultural and family connections, community care, the legal system and Land Rights spans more than 200 years.
And the Land Rights network continues to support our people and communities to access quality health care, decent housing, education, sustainable employment and economic participation.”
Cr Ah-See said that current policy is built on shifting sands, while the knowledge and expertise of Aboriginal community controlled organisations provide the solid foundation for a better future for our people.
“That is why it is vital we all take this opportunity to walk together in solidarity and march for Aboriginal Rights and community control on a highly significant day,” Cr Ah-See said.
“Aboriginal organisations have the solutions and we are the ones who should have control of what our children’s future will look like.”
The Beyond Survival March for Aboriginal Rights is on Thursday August 9 at 11am, leaving from Hyde Park North to NSW Parliament House.
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/838450799683432/
6-12 August Dental Health Week
This year during Dental Health Week (6 – 12 August), the ADA is reminding everyone to #WatchYourMouth, in the light of the latest national survey conducted by the Association that showed Australians are not prioritising their oral health.
It follows the launch earlier this year by the ADA of Australia’s Oral Health Tracker which was developed in response to data showing that just over 52% of Australians are only brushing once a day instead of the recommended twice daily and nearly two in five (38%) never floss or clean in between their teeth. Australians also need more regular dental check-ups, with 69% only going to the dentist when they have a problem.
This is especially concerning given the fact that tooth decay is Australia’s most common disease, with one in five adults having untreated tooth decay and one in five also have gum disease, with oral cancer rates also on the rise.
To help combat these figures, Dental Health Week 2018 is stressing these four key tips for good oral health:
• Brush twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste
• Clean in between your teeth with floss or interdental brushes
• Eat a healthy diet, limit sugary foods and drinks
• Visit your dentist regularly
Dr Hugo Sachs, ADA President said Dental Health Week is an opportunity for people to take a look and learn more about why a healthy mouth is so important.
“Good oral health is vital to good overall health, so watching your mouth will help maintain your general wellbeing. Watching your mouth means: brushing and flossing, eating a healthy diet, lowering our sugar and alcohol intake, stopping smoking and seeing your dentist for regular check-ups. These good habits will greatly reduce the risk of oral disease.”
This year’s Ambassador for Dental Health Week 2018, MasterChef 2016 runner-up and restaurateur Matt Sinclair, added:
“Quality oral hygiene has always been paramount in my life; it was something we were raised to be very conscious of. Mum would never allow us to go to school or bed without brushing our teeth and our regular dentist check-ups were compulsory. As the Dental Health Week Ambassador, I’m encouraging Australians to watch their mouth and take their oral health seriously.
“Working as a chef, I’m constantly tasting food throughout the day, so I’m more aware of the importance of looking after my mouth. Simple regular oral hygiene habits, seeing a dentist for checkups and eating good quality fresh food will ensure our mouths and teeth can continue to perform for us.”
To follow the extensive range of Dental Health Week events, search #DentalHealthWeek and #WatchYourMouth on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
To be eligible for appointments at our dental clinics you must:
- reside in South East Queensland and identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- be a regular ongoing patient with one of our ATSICHS Brisbane medical clinics and be up to date with your annual health check. If you are a new patient to ATSICHS Brisbane, our GPs will need to have had a chance to review your medical records.
We encourage kids to get their health check prior to their dental appointment. We have a dental van at the Murri School that specialises in children’s dental care. We can also see kids at our two other clinics.
If you are a non Indigenous patient with an Indigenous spouse you may be eligible for care. Please contact our dental team for further information.
Read more about our dental eligibility
What if I’m not an ATSICHS Brisbane client?
If you do not currently attend one of our ATSICHS Brisbane medical clinics, you are invited to transfer your medical records and become a regular ongoing medical patient. You will then become eligible for dental care once your health check is completed.
If you prefer not to attend one of our medical clinics, you are unable to access the dental clinics at Woolloongabba or Logan.
What are my alternatives?
Other choices for dental care are:
- Queensland Health Oral Health – if you are a holder of a Centrelink concession card call them on 1300 300 850 OR
- a private dentist of your choice.
Access and fees
- There are no fees for the general dental care provided the eligibility criteria is met.
- Fees do apply for laboratory work, e.g., mouth guards, denture and crown work.
- Treatment is provided to the majority of children via the Child Dental Benefits Scheme.
- Aged pensioners are eligible for free acrylic dentures.
Our team
Our dental team consists of dentists, oral health therapists, dental assistants, dental technicians and a dental prosthetist.
We support the training of dental students, by providing clinical placements for final year dental students throughout the year.
Our services
Our services include:
- emergency treatment for toothache, trauma and wisdom teeth
- routine dental checkups and screening
- fillings
- extractions
- root canal on anterior teeth
- wisdom teeth extractions
- dentures and crowns
- mouth guards and splints
- specialist referrals
- simple orthodontic procedures
- scaling and cleaning with oral health promotion
- regular recalls and follow up.
Dental services are available at our Woolloongabba and Logan clinics.
All services are provided in the clinics and staff are supportive of visiting and participating in community days and other special events to provide information on dental care and disease prevention.
Registrations are currently open for the inaugural Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) System of Care Conference, to be held on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 August 2018 in Brisbane.
This conference will focus on IUIH’s successful approach to Closing the Gap in Indigenous health and would be of interest to people working in
• Primary Health Networks (PHNs)
• Health and Hospital Boards and management
• Government Departments
• the University Sector
• the NGO sectorCome along and gain fresh insights into the ways in which a cross-sector and integrated system can make real impacts on the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as we share the research behind the development and implementation of this system.
NACCHO AGM 2018 Brisbane Oct 30—Nov 2 Registrations and Expressions of Interest now open
Follow our conference using HASH TAG #NACCHOagm2018
Brisbane Oct 30—Nov 2
The NACCHO Members’ Conference and AGM provides a forum for the Aboriginal community controlled health services workforce, bureaucrats, educators, suppliers and consumers to:
- Present on innovative local economic development solutions to issues that can be applied to address similar issues nationally and across disciplines
- Have input and influence from the ‘grassroots’ into national and state health policy and service delivery
- Demonstrate leadership in workforce and service delivery innovation
- Promote continuing education and professional development activities essential to the Aboriginal community controlled health services in urban, rural and remote Australia
- Promote Aboriginal health research by professionals who practice in these areas and the presentation of research findings
- Develop supportive networks
- Promote good health and well-being through the delivery of health services to and by Indigenous and non-Indigenous people throughout Australia.
Expressions of Interest to present
NACCHO is now calling for EOI’s from Affiliates , Member Services and stakeholders for Case Studies and Presentations for the 2018 NACCHO Members’ Conference. This is an opportunity to show case grass roots best practice at the Aboriginal Community Controlled service delivery level.
Download the Application
NACCHO Members Expressions of Interest to present to the Brisbane Conference 2018 on Day 1
In doing so honouring the theme of this year’s NACCHO Members Conference; ‘Investing in What Works – Aboriginal Community Controlled Health’. We are seeking EOIs for the following Conference Sessions.
Day 1 Wednesday 31 October 2018
Concurrent Session 1 (1.15 – 2.00pm) – topics can include Case Studies but are not limited to:
- Workforce Innovation
- Best Practice Primary Health Care for Clients with Chronic Disease
- Challenges and Opportunities
- Sustainable Growth
- Harnessing Resources (Medicare, government and other)
- Engagement/Health Promotion
- Models of Primary Health Care and
- Clinical and Service Delivery.
EOI’s will focus on the title of this session within the context of Urban, Regional, Rural or Remote. Each presentation will be 10-15 minutes in either the Plenary or Breakout rooms.
OR
Table Top Presentations (2.00-3.00pm)
Presenters will speak from the lectern and provide a brief presentation on a key project or program currently being delivered by their service.
Presentation will be 10 minutes in duration-with 5 minutes to present and
5 minutes for discussion and questions from delegates.
Conference Website Link
The recent week-long #MensHealthWeek focus offered a “timely reminder” to all men to consider their health and wellbeing and the impact that their ill health or even the early loss of their lives could have on the people who love them. The statistics speak for themselves – we need to look after ourselves better .
That is why I am encouraging all men to take their health seriously, this week and every week of the year, and I have made men’s health a particular priority for Indigenous health.”
Federal Minister for Indigenous Health and Aged Care Ken Wyatt who will be a keynote speaker at NACCHO Ochre Day in August
To celebrate #MensHealthWeek NACCHO has launches its National #OchreDay2018 Mens Health Summit program and registrations
The NACCHO Ochre Day Health Summit in August provides a national forum for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male delegates, organisations and communities to learn from Aboriginal male health leaders, discuss their health concerns, exchange share ideas and examine ways of improving their own men’s health and that of their communities
All too often Aboriginal male health is approached negatively, with programmes only aimed at males as perpetrators. Examples include alcohol, tobacco and other drug services, domestic violence, prison release, and child sexual abuse programs. These programmes are vital, but are essentially aimed at the effects of males behaving badly to others, not for promoting the value of males themselves as an essential and positive part of family and community life.
To address the real social and emotional needs of males in our communities, NACCHO proposes a positive approach to male health and wellbeing that celebrates Aboriginal masculinities, and uphold our traditional values of respect for our laws, respect for Elders, culture and traditions, responsibility as leaders and men, teachers of young males, holders of lore, providers, warriors and protectors of our families, women, old people, and children.
NACCHO’s approach is to support Aboriginal males to live longer, healthier lives as males for themselves. The flow-on effects will hopefully address the key effects of poor male behaviour by expecting and encouraging Aboriginal males to be what they are meant to be.
In many communities, males have established and are maintaining men’s groups, and attempting to be actively involved in developing their own solutions to the well documented men’s health and wellbeing problems, though almost all are unfunded and lack administrative and financial support.
To assist NACCHO to strategically develop this area as part of an overarching gender/culture based approach to service provision, NACCHO decided it needed to raise awareness, gain support for and communicate to the wider Australian public issues that have an impact on the social, emotional health and wellbeing of Aboriginal Males.
It was subsequently decided that NACCHO should stage a public event that would aim to achieve this and that this event be called “NACCHO Ochre Day”.
The two day conference is free: To register
7. NATSIHWA National Professional Development Symposium 2018
We’re excited to release the dates for the 2018 National Professional Development Symposium to be held in Alice Springs on 2nd-4th October. More details are to be released in the coming weeks; a full sponsorship prospectus and registration logistics will be advertised asap via email and newsletter.
This years Symposium will be focussed on upskilling our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners through a series of interactive workshops. Registrants will be able to participate in all workshops by rotating in groups over the 2 days. The aim of the symposium is to provide the registrants with new practical skills to take back to communities and open up a platform for Health Workers/Practitioners to network with other Individuals in the workforce from all over Australia.
We look forward to announcing more details soon!
8.AIDA Conference 2018 Vision into Action
Building on the foundations of our membership, history and diversity, AIDA is shaping a future where we continue to innovate, lead and stay strong in culture. It’s an exciting time of change and opportunity in Indigenous health.
The AIDA conference supports our members and the health sector by creating an inspiring networking space that engages sector experts, key decision makers, Indigenous medical students and doctors to join in an Indigenous health focused academic and scientific program.
AIDA recognises and respects that the pathway to achieving equitable and culturally-safe healthcare for Indigenous Australians is dynamic and complex. Through unity, leadership and collaboration, we create a future where our vision translates into measureable and significantly improved health outcomes for our communities. Now is the time to put that vision into action.
AIDA Awards
Nominate our members’ outstanding contributions towards improving the health and life outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
9.CATSINaM Professional Development Conference
Venue: Hilton Adelaide
Location: 233 Victoria Square, Adelaide, SA
Timing: 8:30am – 5:30pm
More info
10.Healing Our Spirit Worldwide
