NACCHO Aboriginal Health and #Nutrition : Download @aihw Nutrition across the life stages report @CHFofAustralia Poor diet findings underline calls for action on #obesity now : More than one-third of Australians’ energy intake comes from junk foods.

” More than one-third of Australians’ energy intake comes from junk foods. Known as discretionary foods, these include biscuits, chips, ice-cream and alcohol. For those aged 51-70, alcoholic drinks account for more than one-fifth of discretionary food intake.

These are some of the findings from the Nutrition across the life stages report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare ”

From The Conversation see Part 3 below

Download copy aihw-nutrition report

” Overall, the diets of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians are similar. However, Indigenous adults in some age groups eat less fruit, vegetables and dairy products and alternatives.

They also have a lower intake of fibre and a higher intake of discretionary food and added sugars than non-Indigenous adults.”

For Indigenous Health see page 108 or Part 2 Below

Part 1 Poor diet findings underline calls for action on obesity now

Read our NACCHO Obesity submission plus 60 articles here

The poor diet of many Australians, beginning in childhood, as revealed in a new official report, underlines the need for concerted national action on obesity, the Consumers Health Forum has said

The report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare released today shows that Australians generally do not eat enough of the right food, like vegetables, and too much food rich in fat, salt and sugars.

“These findings again vindicate calls over the years by health and community groups for concerted action on obesity and at last, Australia’s health ministers have agreed to develop a national strategy to counter this huge public health challenge,” the CEO of the Consumers Health Forum, Leanne Wells, said.

“We welcome the decision by the COAG Health Ministers Council last week to develop a national plan on obesity.

“As this new AIHW report Nutrition across the life stages, shows, there is great scope for improving diets of most Australians of all ages. This includes children whose formative diets do not include enough vegetables, teenagers who tend to eat too much junk food and even those in middle age whose alcohol intake is often too high.

“It has taken too long to reach a national agreement for action on obesity. Now health ministers must move promptly to introduce effective measures.

“Governments have a ready-made blueprint for action, provided by the Obesity Policy Coalition’s report Tipping the Scales, which CHF strongly supported.

“After a comprehensive and expert investigation, that report proposed eight critical actions to tackle obesity. These included tougher restrictions on TV junk food advertising, food reformulation targets, mandatory Health Star ratings on food, an active transport strategy, public health education campaigns and a 20 per cent health levy on sugary drinks.

The Health Ministers considered a number of aspects relating to obesity. They agreed that the national strategy should have a strong focus on prevention measures and social determinants of health, especially in relation to early childhood and rural and regional issues.

The Consumers Health Forum has called for more effective measures to counter obesity over several years.

In January 2015, with the support of the Obesity Policy Coalition, the Heart Foundation and the Public Health Association of Australia, CHF released the results of an Essential Research poll showing strong community backing for national action on obesity.

That poll revealed that 79 per cent of Australians polled believed that if we don’t do more to lower the intake of fatty sugary and salty foods/drinks, our children will live shorter lives than their parents. Half of those polled then approved of the idea of a tax on junk food/sugary drinks.

“We called then for the Federal Government to take decisive action to stop the never-ending promotion of unhealthy food and drink, particularly to young people.

“Australia has lagged behind other nations in taking effective action against obesity which is one of the greatest triggers of chronic health problems which afflict a growing number of Australians.

Unless we act now to arrest this trend, it will add up to even greater demands on our health system as it attempts to manage the growing levels of chronic disease in the community.

“The time for talk is well past. We need action now,” Ms Wells said.

Part 2 Indigenous Australians

This report looked at whether food and nutrient intakes and health outcomes differ between
Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and found that overall, there is little difference.
Intake of serves from the 5 food groups for Indigenous children is similar to the intake for
non-Indigenous children.

However, differences are seen in the adult populations, particularly for fruit, vegetables, dairy products and alternatives (for those aged 19–50 and 71 and over) and grain foods
(for those aged 19–50), where intake is lower for Indigenous Australians.

Comparing the contribution of discretionary food to energy intake for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, the main differences are seen in women aged 19–30 and men and
women aged 31–50, with the contribution being higher in Indigenous Australians

While the intake of added sugars appears higher among Indigenous Australians than non-Indigenous Australians, this is only significant in those aged 19–30 and 31–50. Intake of saturated and trans fats and sodium are similar for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Fibre intake for Indigenous Australians aged 19–30 and 31–50 is lower than for non-Indigenous Australians.

The small survey sample for Indigenous Australians makes comparisons difficult when looking at levels of physical activity as there is a high margin of error, so results should be interpreted with caution.

Levels of sufficient physical activity appear higher in Indigenous Australians; however, in most cases, the differences are not statistically significant.

The only exceptions are children aged 4–8 and boys aged 9–13, where the levels are higher in Indigenous Australians. For adults aged 19–30 and 31–50, non-Indigenous Australians have higher levels of physical activity.

For males, the prevalence of overweight and obesity does not differ by Indigenous status.

However, for women, from the age of 19, the prevalence is higher among Indigenous women than non-Indigenous women.

Among Indigenous Australians, there is no difference in the prevalence of overweight and obesity between males and females, unlike non-Indigenous Australians, where from the age of 19, the prevalence is higher in men than women.

Diet quality among Indigenous Australians may be affected by the remoteness of the area in which they live, as a higher proportion of Indigenous Australians live outside of Major cities than non-Indigenous Australians (AIHW 2018a).

Hudson (2010) suggests that many Indigenous Australians know what foods they need to maintain health; however, supply and affordability of fresh produce appear to be limiting factors in dietary quality.

Limited stock of fruit and vegetables have been found in remote shops near Indigenous communities, with some areas going without a delivery of fresh produce for weeks. And what is available is expensive.

When deliveries are received, stock can be up to 2 weeks old, so of poor quality. Additionally, lack of competition in these areas appears to be a factor with price.

Fibre-modified and fortified white bread appears to provide a large proportion of energy and required key nutrients for Indigenous Australians living in remote areas (in particular protein, folate, iron and calcium) (Brimblecombe et al. 2013a; Brimblecombe et al. 2013b; Gwynn et al. 2012).

The diet of Indigenous Australians have for some time, been shifting from traditional Indigenous diets that were previously high protein, fibre, polyunsaturated fat and complex carbohydrates to a more highly refined carbohydrate diet, with added sugars, saturated fat, sodium and low levels of fibre (Ferguson et al. 2017).

This may be due to lack of access to traditional food and general food affordability (Brimblecombe et al. 2014).

Lack of facilities to prepare and store food such as refrigerators and stovetops, have also caused an increased reliance of ready-made meals or takeaway foods for Indigenous Australians living in remote areas (Hudson 2010).

Part 3 from The Conversation

From HERE

The report also shows physical activity levels are low in most age groups. Only 15% of 9-to-13-year-old girls achieve the 60-minute target. The prevalence of overweight and obesity remains high, reaching 81% for males aged 51–70.

The food intake patterns outlined in this report, together with low physical activity levels, highlight why as a country we are struggling to turn the tide on obesity rates.

Not much change in our diets

The report shows little has changed in Australians’ overall food intake patterns between 1995 and 2011-12. There have been slight decreases in discretionary food intake, with some trends for increased intakes of grain foods and meat and alternatives.

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The message to eat more vegetables is not hitting the mark. There has been no change in vegetable intake in children and adolescents and a decrease in vegetable intake in adults since past surveys. The new data show all Australians fall well short of the recommended five serves daily. We are are closer to meeting the recommended one to two serves of fruit each day.

Australians are consuming around four serves of grains, including breads and cereals, compared to the recommended three to seven serves.

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One serve of vegetables is equivalent to ½ cup of cooked vegetables. For fruit, this is a medium apple; grains is around ½ cup of pasta. A glass of milk and 65-120g of cooked meat are the equivalent serves for dairy and its alternatives, and meat and its alternatives respectively.

The data show a trend of lower serves of the five food groups in outer metro, regional and remote areas of Australia. Access to quality, fresh foods such as vegetables at affordable prices is a key barrier in many remote communities and can be a challenge in outer suburban and country areas of Australia.

There was also a 7-10 percentage point difference in meeting physical activity targets between major cities and regional or remote areas of Australia. Overweight and obesity levels were 53% in major cities, 57% in inner regional areas and 61% in outer regional/remote areas.

The CSIRO Healthy Diet Score compares food intake to Australian Dietary Guidelines. You can use these to see how your diet stacks up and how to improve.

Discretionary food servings

Discretionary foods are defined in guidelines as foods and drinks that are

not needed to meet nutrient requirements and do not fit into the Five Food Groups … but when consumed sometimes or in small amounts, these foods and drinks contribute to the overall enjoyment of eating.

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A serve of discretionary food is 600kJ, equivalent to six hot chips, two plain biscuits, or a small glass of wine. The guidelines advise no more than three serves of these daily – 0.5 serves for under 8-year-olds.

Since 1995, the contribution of added sugars and saturated fat to Australians’ energy intake has generally decreased. This may be a reflection of the small decrease in discretionary food intake seen for most age groups.

But across all life stages, discretionary food intakes remain well in excess of the 0-3 serves recommended. Children at 2-3 years are eating more than three servers per day, peaking at seven daily serves in 14-to-18-year-olds. The patterns remains high throughout adulthood, still more four serves per day in the 70+ group.

The excess intake of discretionary foods is the most concerning trend in this report. This is due to the doubleheader of their poor nutrient profile and being eaten in place of important, nutrient-rich groups such as vegetables, whole grains and dairy foods.

Our simulation modelling compared strategies to reduce discretionary food intake in the Australian population. We found cutting discretionary choice intake by half or replacing half of discretionary choices with the five food groups would have significant benefits for reducing intake of energy and so-called “risk” nutrients (sodium and added sugar), while maintaining or improving overall diet quality.

Main contributors to discretionary foods

Alcohol is often the forgotten discretionary choice. The NHMRC 2009 guidelines state:

For healthy men and women, drinking no more than two standard drinks on any day (and no more than four standard drinks on a single occasion) reduces the lifetime risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury.

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For adults aged 51–70, alcoholic drinks account for more than one-fifth (22%) of discretionary food intake. Alcohol intake in adults aged 51-70+ has increased since 1995. This age group includes people at the peak of their careers, retirees and older people. Stress, increased leisure time, mental health challenges and factors such as loneliness and isolation would all play a part in this complex picture.

Young children have small appetites and every bite matters. The guidelines suggest 2-to-3-year-olds should have very limited exposure to discretionary foods. In, studies the greatest levels of excess weight are seen in preschool years.

Biscuits, cakes and muffins are the key source of added sugars for young children. These are also the top source of energy and saturated fat and a key source of salt in young children. This is the time when lasting food habits and preferences are formed.

NACCHO Aboriginal Health and #WorldStrokeDay @strokefdn #UpAgainAfterStroke. One-third to a half of all our mob in their 40s, 50s and 60s are at high risk of future heart attack or stroke but the good news is more than 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.

” Around 80 million people living in the world today have experienced a stroke and over 50 million survivors live with some form of permanent disability as a result.

In Australia, stroke kills more women than breast cancer and more men than prostate cancer. It is the biggest cause of adult disability.

While for many, life after stroke won’t be quite the same, with the right care and support living a meaningful life is still possible.

As millions of stroke survivors show us every day, it is possible to get #UpAgainAfterStroke.

While the impact of stroke will be different for everyone, on World Stroke Day (29 October) we want to focus the world’s attention on what unites stroke survivors and caregivers, namely their resilience and capacity to build on the things that stroke can’t take away – their determination to keep going on the recovery journey.

Stroke Foundation World Stroke Day

Download World Stroke Day 2018 Brochure

” Recently released Australian National University research, found around one-third to a half of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in their 40s, 50s and 60s were at high risk of future heart attack or stroke. It also found risk increased substantially with age and starts earlier than previously thought, with high levels of risk were occurring in people younger than 35.

The good news is more than 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.

As a first step, I encourage all the mob to visit to visit one of our 302 ACCHO clinics , their local GP or community health centre for a health check, or take advantage of a free digital health check at your local pharmacy to learn more about your stroke risk factors.

On World Stroke Day we are urging all the mob to take steps to reduce their stroke risk.”

Colin Cowell NACCHO Social Media editor and himself a stroke survivor 3 years ago today

“ The current guidelines recommend that a stroke risk screening be provided for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people over 35 years of age. However there is an argument to introduce that screening at a younger age.

Education is required to assist all Australians to understand what a stroke is, how to reduce the risk of stroke and the importance be fast acting at the first sign of stroke.”

Dr Mark Wenitong, Public Health Medical Advisor at Apunipima Cape York Health Council (Apunipima), says that strokes can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle and Health screening, and just as importantly, a healthypregnancy and early childhood can reduce risk for the child in later life.

Naomi Wenitong pictured above with her father Dr Mark Wenitong Public Health Officer at Apunipima Cape York Health Council in Cairns:

Share the stroke rap with your family and friends on social media and celebrate World Stroke Week in your community.

Listen to the new rap song HERE or Hear

The song, written by Cairns speech pathologist Rukmani Rusch and performed by leading Indigenous artist Naomi Wenitong, was created to boost low levels of stroke awareness in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan said the rap packed a punch, delivering an important message, in a fun and accessible way.

“The Stroke Rap has a powerful message we all need to hear,’’ Ms McGowan said.

“Too many Australians continue to lose their lives to stroke each year when most strokes can be prevented.

“Music is a powerful tool for change and we hope that people will listen to the song, remember and act on its stroke awareness and prevention message – it could save their life.”

Ms McGowan said the song’s message was particularly important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who were over represented in stroke statistics.

Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islanders are twice as likely to be hospitalised for stroke and are 1.4 times more likely to die from stroke than non-indigenous Australians. These alarming figures were revealed in a recent study conducted by the Australian National University.

There is one stroke every nine minutes in Australia and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are overrepresented in stroke statistics. Strokes are the third leading cause of death in Australia.

Apunipima delivers primary health care services, health screening, health promotion and education to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people across 11 Cape York communities. These health screens will help to make sure you aren’t at risk .

We encourage you to speak to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health Practitioner or visit one of Apunipima’s Health Centres or your nearest ACCO to talk to them about getting a health screen.

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted, depriving an area of the brain of oxygen. This is usually caused by a clot (ischaemic stroke) or a bleed in the brain (haemorrhagic stroke).

Brief stroke-like episodes that resolve by themselves are called transient ischaemicattacks (TIAs). They are often a sign of an impending stroke, and need to be treated seriously.

Stroke is a time-critical medical emergency. The longer a stroke remains untreated, the greater the chance of stroke-related brain damage. After an ischaemic stroke, patients can lose up to 1.9 million neurons a minute until blood flow to the brain is restored.

What to do in case of stroke?

The Australian National Stroke Foundation promotes the FAST tool as a quick way for anyone to identify a possible stroke. FAST consists of the following simple steps:

Face – has their mouth has dropped on one side?

Arm – can they lift both arms?

Speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?

Time – is critical. Call an ambulance.

But the good news is more than 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.

Part 3

WHEN Aboriginal elder Aunty Pam Smith first had a stroke she had no idea what was happening to her body.

On her way back to town from a traditional smoking ceremony, she became confused, her jaw slack and dribbling.

FROM HERE

Picture above : CARE: Coral and Bill Toomey at National Stroke Awareness Week.

“I started feeling headachey, when they opened up the car and the cool air hit me I didn’t know where I was – I was in LaLa Land,” she said.

A guest speaker at the Stroke Foundation National Stroke Awareness Week event in Tamworth, Ms Smith has created a cultural awareness book about strokes for other Aboriginal people.

Watch Aunty Pams Story

She hopes it will teach others what to expect and how to look out for signs of a stroke, Aboriginal people are 1.4 times more likely to die from stroke than non-Indigenous people.

But, most still don’t go to hospital for help.

“Every time we went to a hospital we were treated for one thing, alcoholism – a bad heart or kidneys because of alcohol,” Ms Smith said.

“We were past that years ago, we’re up to what we call white fella’s things now.”

Elders encouraged people to make small changes in their daily lives, to quit smoking, eat a balanced diet and drink less alcohol.

For Bill Toomey it was a chance to speak with people who understood what it was like to have a stroke. A trip to Sydney in 2010 ended in the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital when he was found unconscious.

Now in a wheelchair, Mr Toomey was once a football referee and an Aboriginal Health Education Officer.

“I wouldn’t wish a stroke on anyone,” Mr Toomey said.

“I didn’t have the signs, the face didn’t drop or speech.”

His wife Coral Toomey cares for him, she was in Narrabri when he was rushed to hospital.

“Sometimes you want to hide, sit down and cry because there’s nothing you can do to help them,” she said.

“You’re doing what you can but you feel inside that it’s not enough to help them.”

Stroke survivor Pam Smith had a message for her community.

“Please go and have a second opinion, it doesn’t matter where or who it is – go to the hospital,” she said.

“If you’re not satisfied with your doctor go to another one.”

NACCHO Aboriginal Health #ACCHO Deadly Good News stories : #NACCHOAgm2018 Program launched #NSW @ahmrc #ahmrcAGM18 #WA Mawarnkarra Health Service #VIC @VACCHO_org #QLD @DeadlyChoices @Apunipima

1.1 : First Nations people will play a fundamental role in developing guidelines to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kidney patient outcomes

1.2 :NACCHO CEO Pat Turner keynote speaker at#ahmrcAGM18

2. WA : Mawarnkarra Health Service Roebourne new $1.8 million renal facility brings care closer to home

3.Armajun Aboriginal Health Service Inverell reminds he community about the dangers of lung disease

4.VIC : The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) is pleased to announce the appointment of a the new Chair and Deputy Chair

5 .NT : Roderick Brown’s three young sons all have the potentially fatal rheumatic heart disease, with his eldest son undergoing open heart surgery at the age of seven.

6.SA : Not good news ‘ Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service (CKAHS) staff were in for a shock when they came into work on Monday last week as parts of the ceiling had collapsed overnight.

7. QLD : Deadly Choices health promotion on Cape York

View hundreds of ACCHO Deadly Good News Stories over past 6 years

Download the 60 page Program released October

NACCHO National Conference Program 2018 (1)

MORE INFO AND REGISTER FOR NACCHO AGM

How to submit a NACCHO Affiliate or Members Good News Story ?

Email to Colin Cowell NACCHO Media

Mobile 0401 331 251

Wednesday by 4.30 pm for publication each Thursday /Friday

1.1 : First Nations people will play a fundamental role in developing guidelines to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kidney patient outcomes

First Nations people will play a fundamental role in developing guidelines to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kidney patient outcomes, with more than $300,000 in Government funding to Kidney Health Australia to support national consultations.

Kidney Health Australia will hold 20 community consultations across the country with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to inform the Caring for Australasians with Renal Impairment Indigenous Guidelines.

Renal failure disproportionately affects First Australians and we need to work together to improve and maintain the health of those who contract kidney disease.

Recent research shows almost one in five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 18 have indicators of chronic kidney disease.

Our people face unique challenges in the management of this condition, including access to services and leaving country to receive treatment.

The guidelines are being developed to address these and other challenges and to work towards delivering better treatment options and a healthier future.

They will also help support chronic kidney disease education, prevention, early detection, management and workforce education.

Grassroots consultation will allow Kidney Health Australia to ensure the guidelines are relevant and reflect what communities want and need.

In addition, a panel of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health clinicians, including community-based practitioners, will advise on the consultative process and the content of the guidelines.

The guidelines will complement the national renal roadmap currently under development and the priority placed on First Nations kidney health by the Council of Australian Governments.

The guidelines will also be a resource for Māori people, with Kidney Health Australia securing separate funding to hold community consultations in New Zealand.

Completion of the community consultations is expected in late 2019.

1.2 NACCHO CEO Pat Turner keynote speaker at #ahmrcAGM18

“Our model of comprehensive primary health care is best practice – we must continue to lead”

Pat Turner NACCHO CEO

2. WA : Mawarnkarra Health Service Roebourne new $1.8 million renal facility brings care closer to home

More renal patients in Roebourne and surrounding areas can now be treated closer to home thanks to a new community supported home dialysis facility.

Health Minister Roger Cook today officially opened the new four-chair, purpose-built facility, which has been constructed on the grounds of Mawarnkarra Health Service.

Managed by Mawarnkarra Health Service, the Warawarni-Gu Maya Community Supported Home Dialysis facility will make it easier for local people who are suitable for home dialysis and have end stage kidney disease, to undertake their treatment closer to home.

Home dialysis is for people who are capable and confident of supervising their treatment either alone or with a carer – usually a family member. Each of the four dialysis bays have individual television sets to make patients more comfortable and their time spent at treatment more pleasant.

The new centre includes a dedicated consultation room with telehealth facilities – this means specialists can see and speak to their patients in a virtual setting, and patients are spared the cost and stress of travel to a tertiary hospital.

Between 2015 and 2017, telehealth activity has increased 113 per cent in the Pilbara region. So far this year, more than 1,700 outpatient appointments in the region have been conducted using telehealth.

The $1.8 million Warawarni-Gu Maya Community Supported Home Dialysis facility was constructed by the WA Country Health Service as part of the Australian Government’s Health and Hospitals Fund, which is investing $45.7 million to its Bringing Renal Dialysis and Support Services Closer to Home program.

Comments attributed to Health Minister Roger Cook:

“Having renal dialysis is tough and time consuming, and can be exacerbated by time away from family and friends during treatment.

“This new purpose-built, community supported home dialysis unit offers eligible patients, including a large proportion of Aboriginal people, a comfortable local setting to undertake their self-dialysis.

“It is fantastic to see that telehealth, which enables people to stay closer to their communities, is becoming ‘business as usual’ for our health system. It is important that patients can stay close to family and friends as much as possible when receiving health care.”

Comments attributed to Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:

“It is fitting that the name Warawarni-Gu Maya translates to ‘Healing House’ as being with our loved ones and support networks when we are sick is crucial, and treatment closer to home can have a huge impact on a patient’s wellbeing.

“This new facility will help many vulnerable residents in Roebourne and the surrounding communities, including a large proportion of Aboriginal people, for whom treatment on country is very important.

3. Armajun Aboriginal Health Service Inverell reminds he community about the dangers of lung disease

“Maintaining or improving lung health is really important and there is a lot that people with chronic lung disease can do to stay well,”

“Our goal is to encourage people with chronic lung disease to attend the BE WELL program. The program enables people with chronic lung disease to learn how to manage their lung problem, how to exercise and get moving one step at a time towards better health,”

Armajun program manager James Sheather

Originally Published Here

Armajun Aboriginal Health Service, Inverell held an Aboriginal community awareness day about chronic lung disease on Thursday, October 18.

The community were welcomed to with a free barbeque and information session that include education, screening and a tour of the new Aboriginal healthy lung program called, Breathe Easy, Walk Easy, Lungs for Life (BE WELL).

“Armajun is taking active steps to support the better management of lung disease,” Armajun chief executive Deb McCowen said.

Chronic lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a relatively common disease that mainly affects older people, and includes conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

This year the Australian Institute of Health Welfare reported that 1 in 20 Australians aged 45 and over had COPD. The prevalence of COPD among Indigenous Australians is 2.5 times higher than for non-Indigenous Australians.

COPD limits airflow in the lungs, which can lead to shortness of breath. The main causes include smoking or exposure to cigarette smoke, outdoor air pollution, fumes and dust in the workplace, childhood lung infections and chronic asthma.

BE WELL is a joint project between Armajun, the University of Sydney and the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health. Armajun is the first of four NSW Aboriginal Medical Services to join BE WELL, which is a National Health & Medical Research Council funded Aboriginal Pulmonary rehabilitation project.

4. VIC : The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) is pleased to announce the appointment of a the new Chair and Deputy Chair

Karen Heap, new VACCHO Chair is CEO of Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative as well as Chair of the Victorian Children, Young People and Families Alliance

The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) is pleased to announce the appointment of a the new Chair and Deputy Chair following our AGM on Monday 22 October.

The Board governing VACCHO, peak body for Aboriginal health and wellbeing in Victoria held its AGM yesterday and the following Members make up the VACCHO Board going forward:

Karen Heap, Chair (Former Deputy Chair)
Raylene Harradine, Deputy Chair (newly elected)
Suzie Squires, Treasurer
John Gorton, Director
Mick Graham, Director
Jason Saunders, Director

VACCHO’s Acting CEO, Trevor Pearce congratulated Karen Heap, CEO of Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative as well as Chair of the Victorian Children, Young People and Families Alliance on taking up the role of VACCHO Chair. “Karen is a proud Yorta Yorta woman and a well-respected leader within the Victorian Aboriginal community and supporter of VACCHO for many years. I have no doubt she will continue to uphold the core values of VACCHO that advocates for a vibrant, healthy and self-determining Aboriginal community.

Mr Trevor Pearce, also welcomed Ms Harradine to the role as a new Board member of VACCHO. “Raylene is a proud Wotjobaluk and Latjl Latjl woman. Raylene is the CEO of Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative and brings a wealth of experience to VACCHO’s Board” Mr Pearce said.

“I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank John Mitchell, our outgoing Chair, and Rod Jackson, outgoing Treasurer, for all their work over the previous two years both as leaders of our organisation, and as the two Board members representing NACCHO’s Victorian members on the NACCHO Board.”

Karen Heap and Michael Graham will now represent Victorian NACCHO members on the NACCHO Board.

VACCHO’s Finance Sub-committee will be led by Suzie Squires as Treasurer, with Karen Heap, Raylene Harradine, and Michael Graham making up the rest of the sub-committee.

Ms Heap said she was honoured to take on the role of VACCHO’s Board Chair. “VACCHO is an integral part of health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Victoria,” Ms Heap said.

“There is a lot happening both in Victoria and at the Federal level and we are proud to represent our Members to Government and other key stakeholders in shaping policy and delivering programs as we work toward Closing the Gap for our people.”

5 .NT : Roderick Brown’s three young sons all have the potentially fatal rheumatic heart disease, with his eldest son undergoing open heart surgery at the age of seven.

Key points:

Rheumatic heart disease is caused by repeated exposure to an infection on the skin and throat
It is entirely preventable, but is believed to kill up to 100 Indigenous children and young people a year
Maningrida children have the highest known rates of rheumatic heart disease in the world

His story reflects the dire situation facing many Indigenous communities not only in the Northern Territory, but all around Australia.

Picture above : PHOTO: Roderick Brown and his sons Trey and Curtis. (ABC News)

Article originally published HERE

Read NACCHO RHD report HERE

The father of three and his partner, Danielle Turner, travelled more than 4,000 kilometres from Maningrida with their sons to have their voices heard in Canberra.

“It’s important because [we’re] sending a message across Arnhem Land and of course, around Australia,” he said.

“It’s very important that [people know] rheumatic heart disease is very preventable, and can cause death and is very painful for the family.”

The family joined doctors, researchers and community representatives calling on the Federal Government to take urgent action to stem the soaring number of cases in Australia.

RHD is a preventable illness affecting about 6,000 Australians, with Indigenous children 55 times more likely to die from the disease than their non-Indigenous peers.

The causes can be as common as repeated throat and skin infections but the consequences can be devastating, leading to permanent heart damage and even death.

Maningrida has world’s highest recorded rate of RHD

Mr Brown, an Indigenous ranger in Maningrida, said all three of his boys — aged three, seven and nine — get monthly penicillin injections to stop the progression of the disease.

“Just to keep their heart going and active,” he said.

His eldest son Curtis underwent life-saving open heart surgery at Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital two years ago.

“My heart was melting when I saw my kid going through the surgery, and after the surgery when he came back it was very sad,” Mr Brown said.

“I couldn’t stop thinking of that day… Seeing him lying there on a trolley.”

Unfortunately, the Brown family’s story is not unique.

“My brothers, my niece and nephew, they’re going through the same problem,” Mr Brown said.

‘Politicians can no longer turn a blind eye’

“We don’t want to see children suffering and dying unnecessarily in a rich country like Australia,” Dr Bo Remenyi said.

The NT Australian of the Year said the event in Canberra was a “landmark” occasion, and a step towards raising awareness in Federal Parliament.

“I think the message was heard very clearly, to the point where politicians can no longer turn a blind eye to rheumatic heart disease,” Dr Remenyi said.

The Australian Government is committed to being a global leader in ending RHD, in accordance with a resolution passed by the World Health Assembly in April, Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt said.

But Dr Remenyi disputed that.

“We’re yet to see full a commitment to address the United Nations resolution on rheumatic heart disease,” she said.

Earlier this month, the Federal Government committed $3.7 million over three years to five Aboriginal medical services across Australia.

“It’s a good initiative to get things off the ground,” Dr Remenyi said.

“It’s insufficient funding to solve rheumatic heart disease, and of course, there’s many communities who missed out on funding all together.”

Mr Wyatt said the development of a “road map” would allow the funding to be reviewed in the future, and states and territories would also commit money.

For any such initiative to be successful, it had to be community-driven, said Matthew Ryan, mayor of the West Arnhem Regional Council.

“We need to address the issue at the parliament and the politicians need to understand how serious it is,” Mr Ryan said.

“It needs to be community-driven, and the Government working with us in terms of funding — direct funding — and the NT Government working with us instead of talk, talk.”

For Mr Brown, more help for his family and the community can’t come soon enough.

“I’d like to ask Territory Housing, it would be better if myself, my partner and my kids had our own house,” he said.

“Better education for the whole community” was required, he said, as well as more doctors in the community.

6.SA : Not good news ‘ Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service (CKAHS) staff were in for a shock when they came into work on Monday last week as parts of the ceiling had collapsed overnight.

Strong winds and rain on Sunday evening created a water blockage in the system which caused roof tiles to collapse in two places.

This included a portion of ceiling over a workstation where at least three workers are based.

CKAHS chief executive officer Zell Dodd said staff had no choice but to evacuate that day while the damaged was assessed, with some consulting services relocated to Ceduna District Health Services (CDHS).

Orginally Published HERE

Country Health SA executive director of corporate services Brett Paradine said the building was immediately repaired and deemed safe.

“The community controlled Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service (CKAHS) GP consulting services and visiting eye health team were relocated to the Ceduna District Health Services on Monday due to storm damage,” he said.

“Country Health SA (CHSA) immediately called in a builder and electrician to ensure the CKAHS building was deemed safe for use.

“The building is now considered electrically safe and the roof is stable. Damaged ceiling tiles have been replaced, while an additional down pipe was installed to assist with roof run-off.”

CKAHS chairperson Leeroy Bilney said the service was now dealing with mould caused by the rainfall.

He said the mould had already affected staff with respiratory problems.

“Due to this risk, we have had to close the administration section of our building while we await mould testing to determine if treatment to affected areas has resolved the issue,” he said.

“In the short term we have approximately 22 staff displaced for at least one week while this occurs.

“I am concerned for our community members, employees, patients and visitors – if we can’t provide a safe environment, despite the determinations in attempting to get a new building, we fail to deliver optimal service and this is not fair to out Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

It continues a difficult period for CKAHS, with a portion of the building condemned and not in use which has put strain on the remaining office space.

Member for Flinders Peter Treloar expressed concern over the state of the building last year and said CKAHS had been actively lobbying at a state and federal level for some time over the condition of the building.

Since 2012 Country Health SA has provided $150,000 for repair and maintenance work.

“Country Health is working with CKAHS to develop future plans for the service and the premises,” he said.

“CKAHS provides vital health services to the Ceduna area, and we will continue to work in partnership with the federal government to ensure this continues.”

Ms Dodd said the health service had been working for a long time to get the building upgraded and the condemned section repaired.

“We now live in fear knowing that another downpour of rain or another storm will do the same, despite Country Health doing the best they can,” she said.

“What I am deeply concerned about is when, and not if, we get rain, in what part of the building will it hit next.

“I have already met with key state government officers where we are working solidly in a bid to find a solution to the immediate and longer term future – it’s pretty clear and as a matter of public interest we cannot operate, expand and provide the much-needed services, including bringing in fly-in fly-out specialists and Allied Health professionals, for the people we serve, if we don’t get a new building soon.”

She said if the doors were to close for a long period then CDHS would not be able to take on the additional load.

Mr Paradine said an alternative location may need to be sourced.

“Since 2012 we have funded around $150,000 towards maintenance and repair of the CKAHS building,” he said.

“CHSA is in discussions with CKAHS and will support them to identify alternative properties in the Ceduna region.”

7. QLD : Deadly Choices health promotion on Cape York

Queensland Govt funding has delivered a state-of-the-art new oval for Coen’s Cape York future sports stars! Facility includes lights 2 play @ night & will encourage healthy lifestyles. Gr8 opening celebration this week

@scottprince7 was very happy after seeing his blood pressure results thanks to Kirstin from @Apunipima

Deadly Choices Team and Minister Cameron Dick flying high

NACCHO Aboriginal Health and #rethinksugarydrink : A new campaign asking people to reduce their sugar intake highlights the link between obesity and 13 different types of cancer

” Obesity is now a leading preventable cause of cancer , but less than half of all Australians are aware of the link . A new campaign launched today by Cancer Council Victoria is aiming to change this.

In a ground-breaking new public awareness campaign, Cancer Council Victoria will expose the link between obesity and 13 types of cancer by depicting the toxic fat around internal organs.

As many as 98% of Australians are aware that obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and heart disease, but as little as 40% of Australians know about its link with cancer . ”

Being above a healthy weight is now a leading preventable cause of cancer. Our new campaign urges people to avoid #sugarydrinks to reduce their risk https://bit.ly/2OKiFRN #rethinksugarydrink

” You wouldn’t put this much sugar in a tea or coffee? But if you’re drinking one soft drink a day, over 20 years – that’s 73,000 teaspoons.”

Dr Gihan Jayaweera

“A third of Victorians admit to drinking more than a litre of sugary drink each week ⁷, that’s more than 5.5kgs of sugar a year. We want people to realise that they could be drinking their way towards weight gain, obesity and toxic fat, increasing their risk of 13 types of cancer,”

Dr Ahmad Aly

” 69% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are considered overweight (29%) or obese (40%); among children this is 30% (20% overweight, 10% obese) “

Read over 60 NACCHO Aboriginal Health and Obesity articles

Or see Statistics part 2 Below

SEE NEWS COVERAGE

https://www.9news.com.au/7f9400a3-9f9d-4e39-9eb2-eef88a7291ce

Cancer Council Victoria CEO, Todd Harper, acknowledged that the campaign’s portrayal of toxic fat could be confronting but said so was the fact that nearly two-thirds of Australians were overweight or obese ⁴.

“While talking about weight is a sensitive issue, we can’t shy away from the risk being above a healthy weight poses to our health.” Mr Harper said.

“With around 3,900 cancers in Australia each year linked to being above a healthy weight, it’s vital that we work hard to help people understand the link and encourage them to take steps to reduce their risk ⁵.”

Sugary drinks contribute the most added sugar to Australians’ diets ⁶, so Cancer Council Victoria is focusing on how these beverages can lead to unhealthy weight gain, which can increase the risk of certain cancers. The campaign will communicate that one way of reducing the risk is to cut sugary drinks from your diet.

The ad features Melbourne surgeon Dr Ahmad Aly exposing in graphic detail what sugary drinks could be doing to your health, as his laparoscopic camera delves inside a patient’s body to expose the dangerous toxic fat around internal organs.

Watch Video

Dr Aly has seen first-hand the impact toxic fat has on people’s health and hopes the campaign will make people think again before reaching for sugary drinks.

Jane Martin, Executive Manager of the Obesity Policy Coalition, said that while the campaign aims to get people thinking about their own habits, Cancer Council Victoria and partner organisations are also working to encourage governments, the food industry, and communities to make changes.

“It’s virtually impossible to escape the enormous amount of marketing for sugary drinks surrounding us on TV, social media and public transport. It’s also easier to get a sugary drink than it is to find a water fountain in many public places, and that’s got to change. We need to take sugary drinks out of schools, recreation and healthcare settings to make it easier for Victorians to make healthy choices.”

“The need for a healthy weight strategy in Victoria, as well as nationally, is overdue. In the same way tobacco reforms have saved lives, we now need to apply the same approach to improving diets”, Ms Martin said.

Case study: Fiona Humphreys

Since giving up the sweet stuff, Fiona Humphreys has more energy and has managed to shed the kilos and keep them off.

“I used to drink at least two sugary drinks every day as a pick me up, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I was addicted to the sugar rush and thought I needed them to get through my busy day.”

“After giving up sugary drinks I saw an immediate change in both my mood and my waistline. I lost 7 kilos just by making that one simple change and I haven’t looked back.”

“I decided to go cold turkey and switched to soda or mineral water with a slice of lime or lemon. I tricked my mind to enjoy the bubbles and put it into a beautiful glass. I feel healthier and my mind is clearer as a result.”

The campaign will run for five weeks and be shown on TV and radio and will feature across social media channels as well as outdoors across the state.

A dedicated campaign website cancervic.org.au/healthyweight will provide factsheets for health professionals and consumers and digital elements about how to make small lifestyle changes to improve people’s health.

Top tips to avoid sugary drinks

Avoid going down the soft drink aisle at the supermarket and beware of the specials at the checkout and service stations.
If you’re eating out, don’t go with the default soft drink – see what other options there are, or just ask for water.
Carry a water bottle, so you don’t have to buy a drink if you’re thirsty.
Herbal teas, sparkling water, home-made smoothies or fruit infused water are simple alternatives that still taste great.
For inspiration and recipe ideas visit cancervic.org.au/healthyweight

How is sugar linked to weight gain

Sugar is a type of carbohydrate which provides energy to the body. However, eating too much sugar over time can lead to weight gain. Strong evidence shows that being above a healthy weight increases the risk of developing 13 different types of cancer and chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Let’s unpack what happens when our body receives more energy than it needs, how this can lead to weight gain and what you can do to decrease your risk of cancer.

Where do we find sugar?

In terms of health risks, we need to be concerned about ‘added sugar’. That is, sugar that has been added to food or drink.

Natural sugars in foods

Fruit and milk products
High in nutrients – vitamins, minerals, fibre or calcium.
We should eat these foods every day.

Sugar added to food

Processed foods
These foods are unhealthy and high in energy (kJ).
They don’t have other nutrients we need such as fibre, vitamins and minerals.
We should limit these foods.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities tend to have higher rates of obesity and sugary drink consumption and experience poorer health outcomes as a result.

We know that more than half of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community drink sugary drinks almost every day.

The Overview also examined factors contributing to health, including nutrition and body weight. Some statistics of note include:

dietary risks contribute 9.7% to the total burden of disease for Aboriginal people
69% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are considered overweight (29%) or obese (40%); among children this is 30% (20% overweight, 10% obese)
54% of Indigenous Australians meet the daily recommended serves of fruit; only 8% meet the daily recommended serves of vegetables
both measures are lower in remote communities compared with urban areas and intake is far more likely to be inadequate among the unemployed and those who did not finish school
on average, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people consume 41% of their daily energy in the form of discretionary foods — 8.8% as cereal-based products (cakes, biscuits & pastries) and 6.9% as non-alcoholic beverages (soft drinks)
average daily sugar consumption is 111g — two-thirds (or the equivalent of 18tsp of white sugar) of which are free sugars from discretionary foods and beverages
22% of Aboriginal people reported running out of food and being unable to afford more in the past 12 months; 7% said they had run out and gone hungry — both were more prevalent in remote areas

In the latest issue of JournalWatch, Dr Melissa Stoneham takes a look at obesity in Australia’s remote Indigenous communities and the struggle to eat well against the odds

Read in full at Croakey

Yorta Yorta woman Michelle Crilly gave up her sugary drink habit and hasn’t looked back. Watch her story.

Read more about the ‘Our Stories’ campaign and hear from more inspiring Victorian Aboriginal community members who have cut back on sugary drinks on our partner site Rethink Sugary Drink.

NACCHO Aboriginal Health #Jobalerts #Rural #Remote as at 24 October #RMA18 to address health workforce shortages in regional, rural, remote and our Aboriginal community ACCHO’s like @MiwatjHealth @CAACongress @Apunipima #Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Service

This weeks #ACCHO #Jobalerts

Please note : Before completing a job application please check with the ACCHO that the job is still open

Great to see that at #RMA18 this week in Darwin there will be lots of discusion about training skilled medical professionals to fill health workforce shortages in regional, rural, remote and our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community ACCHO’s

1.1 Job/s of the week

1.2 National Aboriginal Health Scholarships

Indigenous Scholarship helps close the gap in leadership and disability support closing Oct 31

Australian Hearing / University of Queensland

APNA Transition to Practice Program (TPP)

2.Queensland

2.1 Apunipima ACCHO Cape York

2.2 IUIH ACCHO Deadly Choices Brisbane and throughout Queensland

2.3 ATSICHS ACCHO Brisbane

3.NT Jobs Alice Spring ,Darwin East Arnhem Land and Katherine

3.1Congress ACCHO Alice Spring

3.2 Miwatj Health ACCHO Arnhem Land

3.3 Wurli ACCHO Katherine

3.4 Sunrise ACCHO Katherine

4. South Australia

4.1 Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc

5. Western Australia

5.1 Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services Inc

5.2 Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS)

6.Victoria

6.1 Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)

6.2 Mallee District Aboriginal Services Mildura Swan Hill Etc

6.3 : Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative 2 POSITIONS VACANT

7.New South Wales

7.1 AHMRC Sydney and Rural

8. Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre ACCHO

9.Canberra ACT Winnunga ACCHO

10. Other : Stakeholders Indigenous Health

Over 302 ACCHO clinics See all websites by state territory

Hundreds of Australia’s best and brightest rural doctors are heading to the Top End this week for the country’s biggest rural medical conference, Rural Medicine Australia (RMA18).RMA is the annual ‘must attend’ event for rural doctors, interns, medical students and other rural health professionals, with around 700 delegates attending from around Australia and the world.

Running over three days, RMA18 will deliver outstanding keynote speakers across a wide range of issues, high-level upskilling opportunities for rural doctors, the latest research relevant to rural medicine, and awards presentations for the Rural Doctor of the Year 2018 amongst others.

Jobs of the week

Flexible FIFO arrangements for suitable Medical Officers required to work across the Cape York region of Far North QLD with Full Time, Part Time, and Casual positions available!

Come work for Apunipima Cape York Health Council (ACYHC) and engage in an exciting opportunity to contribute positive health outcomes for the people of the Cape York region, as a key member of a multidisciplinary team, providing a diverse range of clinic and community based services.

ACYHC is one of Australia’s leading Aboriginal Community Controlled health services, delivering a broad spectrum of comprehensive primary healthcare services to 11 traditional communities of Cape York, in a culturally appropriate manner.

Successful applicants will be vocationally registered General Practitioners (either FACRRM or FRACGP) with current unconditional registration with AHPRA and current medical indemnity insurance. Previous experience living and/or working in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities or remote locations, with at least 7 years of postgraduate experience and 3 years of general practice or primary healthcare experience is desirable.

An attractive salary is available for these positions, including options for generous salary sacrifice, a great team environment, supportive networks and diverse duties. It is expected that these roles will work on a rotating roster.

How do I apply?

To apply for this position please click on the “Apply Now” button below. Please note: applicants will be required to respond to screening questions as the final step of the application process, after uploading their resume and cover letter.

For enquiries regarding the recruitment process contact the HR team by email: hr@apunipima.org.au or phone: 07 4037 7269.

To discuss this role please contact Louise Craig – Senior Medical Officer by e-mail: louise.craig@apunipima.org.au or by Phone: 07 4037 7202.

Apunipima Cape York Health Council is an equal opportunity employer

www.apunipima.org.au

Mamu Health Service Limited is an Aboriginal community controlled health service providing comprehensive primary health care services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Innisfail and surrounding districts. We are recruiting the following positions for our Innisfail Primary Health Care (PHC) Clinic & Wellbeing Programs:-

Registered Nurse – Immunization Endorsed, Innisfail PHC Clinic

Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islanders are strongly encouraged to apply

Health Services Manager – Tertiary qualifications in health care and business management with at least five (5) years senior management experience in an Aboriginal Primary Health or similar setting. Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islanders are strongly encouraged to apply

Community Support Services Manager –. Minimum qualification – Diploma level or higher and previous Management in Counselling/Drug and Alcohol. (Identified Position)

Sexual Health Practitioner/Health Worker – Minimum qualification Certificate IV and previous experience (Identified position)

To be eligible for interview, applicants must submit your resume and written responses addressing the selection criteria/knowledge, skills and attributes found in the position description to and addressed to:

The Chief Executive Officer

Mamu Health Service Limited

PO Box 1537

INNISFAIL Q 4860

Click here for current vacancies

General Practitioner Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Service

Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Service is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation delivering primary and clinical health care services to the Aboriginal people in Katherine and surrounding communities. Wurli prides itself on delivering a range of health and wellbeing services to the community in a style and manner that makes clients feel welcome and comfortable. Services include acute and general care, chronic disease, Women’s & Children health, men’s health, alcohol and other drugs, social and emotional wellbeing and client support services.

The role of a General Practitioner at Wurli is to provide evidence based and culturally appropriate primary health care services to clients of our service and to contribute to the development and sustained operation of a multidisciplinary primary health care team. General Practitioners are expected to deliver medical services in accordance with Wurli policies and procedures, guided by CARPA standard treatment manual and applicable legislation and regulations and to ensure standards are met in accordance with the Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL).

Key Requirements of Service Delivery include:-

Provide evidence based clinical care in a cross cultural setting to clients in collaboration with a team that includes Registered Aboriginal Health Practitioners, Registered Nurses and other allied health professionals.
Provide education and clinical support to other team members
Deliver services in a manner that respect and honour clients as central decision makers in their health care
Complete community, home care , aged care and school educational visits as required
Maintain professional practice protocols
Liaise with regional Aboriginal agencies, community health clinics, hospitals, relevant government agencies and other appropriate staff to ensure clients have access to relevant services and programs as required
Actively encourage client/family/community to engage in practices conducive to optimising health. Participate in committees and working groups to support the integration of acute care.

Key Features of the Role:-

Based in Katherine, Northern Territory
Works alongside a dedicated primary healthcare and wellbeing teams. In so doing, demonstrates respect for other allied health professional roles.
Supervision of training health professionals including but not limited to GP Registrars and Medical Students.
An ordinary working week of 37.5 hours; Monday to Friday.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate:-

Medical Degree / Vocationally Registered General Practitioner (VRGP)
Current AHPRA Registration
Current Criminal History Check
Working with Children Clearance
A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in general practice
Previous experience in working in a cross cultural service environment, particularly in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander health care
Ideally have Accreditation as a GP Registrar Supervisor

For further details regarding this position please refer to the Position Profile _General Practitioner

Applications for this opportunity can be submitted online or to hr@wurli.org.au

Please ensure your application includes:-

a completed online Employment Application Form
current resume of curriculum vitae (cv)
a cover letter / email which provides a clear and concise overview of your ability to meet the key requirements of the role (prerequisites, qualifications / experience and competencies)

If you have any queries regarding this position please contact a member of the Human Resource team on 8972 9195.

Whilst we do not require applicants to address specific selection criteria we do ask applicants to ensure that their resume and supporting cover letter contain information that addresses the key requirements of the role. Applicants must be fully registered to practice in Australia, via AHPRA, and provide evidence of their AHPRA registration with their submitted application.

Congress Alice Springs CLINIC MANAGER – SADADEEN Closing 26 October

Reference: 4370504

Base Salary: $94,614 – $118,443 (p.a.)
Total Effective Package: $116,886 – $143,460 (p.a.)*
Full time, Continuous contract

Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Congress) has over 40 years’ experience providing comprehensive primary health care for Aboriginal people living in Central Australia. Congress is seeking a Clinic Manager who is interested in making a genuine contribution to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal people.

The Clinic Manager provides leadership, management and coordination of comprehensive primary health care to the Sadadeen Clinic, ensuring cultural integrity and high standards of clinical care and client flow.

Alice Springs offers a unique lifestyle in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere in the heart of Australia. It is within easy reach of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Watarrka (Kings Canyon) and a host of other world heritage sites.

As well as a wonderful lifestyle and rewarding work, Congress offers the following:

Competitive salaries
Six (6) weeks’ annual leave
9.5% superannuation
Generous salary packaging
A strong commitment to Professional Development
Family friendly conditions
Relocation assistance (where applicable)
District allowance

For a confidential chat, you can call our Medical Director, Dr Sam Heard on (08) 8951 4458.

To find out more about what is on offer or to apply to the role please visit http://www.caac.org.au/hr & enter ref code: 4370504.

*Total effective package includes: base salary, district allowance, superannuation, leave loading, and estimated tax saving from salary packaging options.

Applications Close: 26 Oct 2018

More info and APPLY

University of Notre Dame Australia Cultural Security Officer Broome WA

Salary: FTE $76,729 per annum

(Plus 12% Superannuation and 17.5% Leave Loading)

Full-time

The University recognises the unique position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australian culture and history. The University is committed to providing an environment where Indigenous Staff Members benefit from the same opportunities, expectations and standards as non-Indigenous Staff Members, whilst maintaining a strong, vibrant culture.

The Role

A new exciting opportunity have arisen in the University to be part of the Kimberley Rural Health Alliance (KRHA) Broome Campus. The purpose of the role is to assist in the development, coordination and facilitation of Cultural Security in relation to training, learning materials, resources and research. The Cultural Security Officer will play an important role as a cultural resource and advocate.

The duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

* Participate in the design, delivery, review and continuous improvement of Cultural Security training packages, including facilitation guides ensuring that learning resources represent Kimberley Aboriginal people’s culture and society;

* Contribute to the effective marketing of the University’s Cultural Security training packages through workshops, forums and trade events, as required.

Skills & Experience

To be successful in the role, you will have:

* Experience in the co-ordination and facilitation of learning programs that meet participant and organisational needs;

* Knowledge and understanding of Kimberley Aboriginal culture and the concept and practice of Aboriginal community control and self- determination;

* Knowledge and understanding of cultural awareness, cultural safety, cultural security, sensitivity and respect of issues, as it relates to Aboriginal organisations, communities and individuals;

* Ability to produce quality learning and development materials;

Benefits

* Location allowance

* 2 weeks additional leave

* 12% Super

About the University

The University of Notre Dame Australia is a Catholic university with campuses in Fremantle, Broome and Sydney. The Objects of the University are the provision of university education within a context of Catholic faith and values and the provision of an excellent standard of teaching, scholarship and research, training for the professions and the pastoral care of its students.

The University seeks to foster in all staff and students an appreciation of the richness and relevance of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and the obligation to serve the wider community in their chosen disciplines and in their daily lives.

How to Apply

Complete and submit an Application Package for the position which is available on our website https://www.notredame.edu.au/about/employment/employment-opportunities For further enquires please phone on (08) 9433 0643 or email jobs@nd.edu.au

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. For this position, it is a genuine occupational requirement that it be filled by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person as permitted by and arguable under Section 50(d) of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act WA 1984.

Applications close: 9.00am (WST) Monday 5 November

The University reserves the right to appoint by invitation or to make no a

WEBSITE APPLY

Remote Health Centre Coordinator Beagle Bay Health Centre

Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services LTD (KAMS) is a well-established regional Aboriginal community controlled health service, founded in 1986, which provides centralised advocacy and resource support for 6 independent member services, as well as providing direct clinical services in a further 6 remote Aboriginal communities across the region.

Clinical services at Beagle Bay Health Centre have been provided by KAMS on behalf of the community of Beagle Bay since 1985. The Beagle Bay Community is a member of KAMS and has representation on the KAMS governing committee.

Beagle Bay Health Centre is a comprehensive Primary Health Care service staffed by General Practitioners, Registered Nurses and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers.

About the Opportunity

KAMS now has a rewarding opportunity for a Remote Health Centre Coordinator to join their multidisciplinary team based in Beagle Bay, WA. This role will be offered on a full-time 6 weeks on, two weeks off roster basis.

In this role, you will be responsible for assisting the Health Centre Manager with the general management and day-to-day operations of a remote clinic providing leadership and support to the Beagle Bay health team.

Some of your key responsibilities will include (but will not be limited to):

Promoting and advocating health services with the local community Council;
Administering and maintaining clinical standards including all clinical assets according to standard policy and procedures;
Ensuring quality improvements are carried out and met to the required health clinical standards;
Managing workforce, including recruitment and orientation, staff development, performance, training, clinical supervision and in-service education;
Planning and reporting on a regular basis with senior management;
Ensuring staff have access to appropriate systems/programs/resources to enable them to perform their duties; and
Attending, and participating in, regular KAMS senior management meetings.

About the Benefits

KAMS is an organisation that truly values its team, and is committed to improving employee knowledge, skills and experience. In addition, staff development programs are not only encouraged but are often paid for by KAMS. These are highly attractive opportunities for someone with a desire to develop their professional knowledge and experience in the area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health!

There is also a wide range of fantastic additional benefits for the role, including:

Attractive base salary of $107,599 PLUS Super;
Accommodation provided whilst in the community;
District allowance of $2,149(single) and $4,298 (double);
Annual airfare $1,285 every 12 months;
Isolation airfares of $1,200; and
25% of base salary for on call.

Working closely with patients, their families and carers, this is a role where you will witness the direct positive impact you’re making in the community, as part of a close-knit KAMS team. You will be continually recognised for your dedication and hard work!

APPLY HERE

Aboriginal Health Worker Griffith NSW

Employment Type: Permanent Part Time
Position Classification: Aboriginal Health Worker
Remuneration: $51,608 – $76,009 per annum pro rata
Hours Per Week: 32
Requisition ID: REQ28400
Applications close: 24 October 2018
Aboriginal Targeted RoleImmerse yourself in a supportive and collaborative team environmentWhere you will be workingGriffith Base Hospital is a 117 bed C1 peer grouped hospital providing a range of acute specialist services (both resident & visiting) including emergency medicine, general medicine, surgery, paediatric medicine, oncology, obstetrics, intensive care, respiratory medicine, renal dialysis and rheumatology. Each year there are approximately 19,500 emergency presentations, 2,500 operations and 540 births. Additional services at Griffith Base Hospital include physiotherapy, dietetics, pharmacy, occupational therapy and Aboriginal health.

There are also a range of diagnostic services including Pathology, CT, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound, General X-Ray and Mammography.Learn more about the benefits and lifestyle of GriffithWhat you will be doingThe position is a vital part of supporting and monitoring the journey and access of the Aboriginal patient through the hospital and health systems.

The position will provide emotional, practical, social and welfare support; health education opportunities for Aboriginal inpatients and communities: work with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal health staff to develop and implement programs and strategies for improving health outcomes for the Aboriginal individuals and communities

.The Aboriginal Health Worker has to be multi skilled to be able to deliver an appropriate service to meet the needs of Aboriginal patients from diverse cultural backgrounds, and to act effectively as cultural brokers between the Aboriginal patients and hospital system to ensure a two way understanding of the need to balance cultural needs and healthcare.Selection Criteria

Must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent NB (applicants race is a genuine occupational qualification and Authorized by Section 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977, NSW) and have demonstrated knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
TAFE or other qualifications in an appropriate health or welfare related discipline and/or extensive relevant experience in these fields
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of current Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander health priorities and ability to effectively and sensitively liaise and communicate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities
Demonstrated skills in client assessment, support, assistance and advocacy in health or related field and have the ability to develop and delivery culturally appropriate programs and resources

Please refer to the Position Description for the essential requirements and full selection criteria. All criteria must be addressed in your application.

Additional Information

Please note that to apply for this position you must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident, or be able to independently and legally live and work in Australia. For more information, please see www.immi.gov.au

Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Michelle Druitt on Michelle.Druitt@health.nsw.gov.au

MLHD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage all suitably qualified applicants to apply, including Aboriginal People and people from racial, ethnic or ethno-religious minority groups and people with disability.

To view the position description or submit your applications please click the ‘Apply’ button below.

Indigenous Scholarship helps close the gap in leadership and disability support closing Otober 31

” The course is giving me greater knowledge for responding to the needs of our clients with disabilities so we can give our mob the best possible outcomes.”

The scholarship has proved very beneficial to the inaugural recipient, Carroll Towney of Galambila Aboriginal Health Services, who continues to go from strength to strength.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the country with an interest in disability services are encouraged to apply. Distance is no barrier as UNE is an online university, so anyone with an internet connection can study the course.

This scholarship was borne out of a joint initiative between Growing Potential Limited and the University of New England (UNE) aimed at strengthening Indigenous leadership in the disability sector.

Chief Executive Officer Mr. Otto Henfling said that Growing Potential is dedicated to empowering Indigenous people in all areas of their lives.

“With our commitment to Indigenous and allied health services through our Windaan and Growing Early Minds brands, we saw a need to help others build their Indigenous businesses in the NDIS and disability space.

Mr. Henfling said.

“The scholarship is our way of giving back; to help Indigenous people reach their education and leadership goals so they can provide culturally appropriate supports to their own communities.”

The scholarship will support an Indigenous recipient to study UNE’s Graduate Certificate in NDIS Business Development – the first course of it’s kind.

This two-year, part-time course was developed by UNE in consultation with the disability sector to help organisations adapt to the new NDIS client-centred business model.

The content is highly relevant to industry and equips students with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the issues affecting the disability sector, in particular, legal processes and obligations applicable to organisational business development priorities in the NDIS.

The scholarship has proved very beneficial to the inaugural recipient, Carroll Towney of Galambila Aboriginal Health Services, who continues to go from strength to strength.

“The course is giving me greater knowledge for responding to the needs of our clients with disabilities so we can give our mob the best possible outcomes.” Carroll said.

Applications for the 2019 Scholarship close on 31 October 2018. The finalist will be announced at a Scholarship Ceremony to be held in March 2019.

More INFO APPLY HERE

Australian Hearing / University of Queensland

APNA Transition to Practice Program (TPP)

Trying to find your feet in primary health care or want to try your hand at mentoring nurses new to primary health care?

This program will help you grow your skills, knowledge and confidence and set you up in your career. The 12-month program will support the transitioning nurse through tailored CPD, mentorship and support in primary health care settings such as (but not limited to) general practice, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health care services and community health.

Applications now open.

For more information and to apply, visitwww.apna.asn.au/transitiontopractice

Building Nurse Capacity

Are you looking to take the next step in your career? Want to learn new skills and knowledge so you can deliver a new model of care?

The Building Nurse Capacity Project will focus on the development of nurse-led (team-based) models of care that meet local population health needs, and contribute to building the capacity of the healthcare team. Grant funding and APNA support will be provided to successful applicants. It will help you promote close collaboration between nurses and health practitioners, as well as the primary health care sector, health leaders, organisations and consumers, thanks to the team-based care approach.

Applications now open.

For more information and to apply, visitwww.apna.asn.au/nursing-tools/nurse-clinics/buildingnursecapacity

NACCHO Affiliate , Member , Government Department or stakeholders

If you have a job vacancy in Indigenous Health

Email to Colin Cowell NACCHO Media

Tuesday by 4.30 pm for publication each Wednesday

2.1 There are 8 JOBS AT Apunipima Cairns and Cape York

The links to job vacancies are on website

www.apunipima.org.au/work-for-us

2.2 There are 3 JOBS AT IUIH Brisbane and throughout Queensland

+ Child Health Nurse (Ongoing, Full Time position based in Goodna)+ General Practitioner (Ongoing Full Time Position based in Brisbane North)+ Program Development Officer (Ongoing, Full Time position based in Windsor)

2.3 There are 27 jobs at ATSICHS Brisbane

As part of our commitment to providing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of Brisbane with a comprehensive range of primary health care, youth, child safety, mental health, dental and aged care services, we employ approximately 150 people across our locations at Woolloongabba, Woodridge, Northgate, Acacia Ridge, Browns Plains, Eagleby and East Brisbane.

The roles at ATSICHS are diverse and include, but are not limited to the following:

Aboriginal Health Workers
Registered Nurses
Transport Drivers
Medical Receptionists
Administrative and Management roles
Medical professionals
Dentists and Dental Assistants
Allied Health Staff
Support Workers

Current vacancies

NT Jobs Alice Spring ,Darwin East Arnhem Land and Katherine

3.1 There are 12 JOBS at Congress Alice Springs including

More info and apply HERE

3.2 There are 19 JOBS at Miwatj Health Arnhem Land

More info and apply HERE

3.3 There are 3 JOBS at Wurli Katherine

More info and apply HERE

3.4 Sunrise ACCHO Katherine

Sunrise Job site

4. South Australia

4.1 Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc

Nunkuwarrin Yunti places a strong focus on a client centred approach to the delivery of services and a collaborative working culture to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients. View our current vacancies here.

NUNKU SA JOB WEBSITE

5. Western Australia

5.1 Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services Inc

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services Inc. is passionate about creating a strong and dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander workforce. We are committed to providing mentorship and training to our team members to enhance their skills for them to be able to create career pathways and opportunities in life.

On occasions we may have vacancies for the positions listed below:

Medical Receptionists – casual pool
Transport Drivers – casual pool
General Hands – casual pool, rotating shifts
Aboriginal Health Workers (Cert IV in Primary Health) –casual pool

*These positions are based in one or all of our sites – East Perth, Midland, Maddington, Mirrabooka or Bayswater.

To apply for a position with us, you will need to provide the following documents:

Detailed CV
WA National Police Clearance – no older than 6 months
WA Driver’s License – full license
Contact details of 2 work related referees
Copies of all relevant certificates and qualifications

We may also accept Expression of Interests for other medical related positions which form part of our services. However please note, due to the volume on interests we may not be able to respond to all applications and apologise for that in advance.

All complete applications must be submitted to our HR department or emailed to HR

Also in accordance with updated privacy legislation acts, please download, complete and return this Permission to Retain Resume form

Attn: Human Resources
Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services Inc.
156 Wittenoom Street
East Perth WA 6004

+61 (8) 9421 3888

DYHS JOB WEBSITE

5.2 Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS)

Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS)

https://kamsc-iframe.applynow.net.au/

KAMS JOB WEBSITE

6.Victoria

6.1 Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)

Thank you for your interest in working at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)

If you would like to lodge an expression of interest or to apply for any of our jobs advertised at VAHS we have two types of applications for you to consider.

Expression of interest

Submit an expression of interest for a position that may become available to: employment@vahs.org.au

This should include a covering letter outlining your job interest(s), an up to date resume and two current employment referees

Your details will remain on file for a period of 12 months. Resumes on file are referred to from time to time as positions arise with VAHS and you may be contacted if another job matches your skills, experience and/or qualifications. Expressions of interest are destroyed in a confidential manner after 12 months.

Applying for a Current Vacancy

Unless the advertisement specifies otherwise, please follow the directions below when applying

Your application/cover letter should include:

Current name, address and contact details
A brief discussion on why you feel you would be the appropriate candidate for the position
Response to the key selection criteria should be included – discussing how you meet these

Your Resume should include:

Current name, address and contact details
Summary of your career showing how you have progressed to where you are today. Most recent employment should be first. For each job that you have been employed in state the Job Title, the Employer, dates of employment, your duties and responsibilities and a brief summary of your achievements in the role
Education, include TAFE or University studies completed and the dates. Give details of any subjects studies that you believe give you skills relevant to the position applied for
References, where possible, please include 2 employment-related references and one personal character reference. Employment references must not be from colleagues, but from supervisors or managers that had direct responsibility of your position.

Ensure that any referees on your resume are aware of this and permission should be granted.

How to apply:

Send your application, response to the key selection criteria and your resume to:

employment@vahs.org.au

All applications must be received by the due date unless the previous extension is granted.

When applying for vacant positions at VAHS, it is important to know the successful applicants are chosen on merit and suitability for the role.

VAHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to ensuring that staff selection procedures are fair to all applicants regardless of their sex, race, marital status, sexual orientation, religious political affiliations, disability, or any other matter covered by the Equal Opportunity Act

You will be assessed based on a variety of criteria:

Your application, which includes your application letter which address the key selection criteria and your resume
Verification of education and qualifications
An interview (if you are shortlisted for an interview)
Discussions with your referees (if you are shortlisted for an interview)
You must have the right to live and work in Australia
Employment is conditional upon the receipt of:
- A current Working with Children Check
- A current National Police Check
- Any licenses, certificates and insurances

6.2 Mallee District Aboriginal Services Mildura Swan Hill Etc

Alcohol and Other Drugs Support Worker (Mildura)

Mental Health Nurse (Mildura)

AOD Life Skills Worker (Wiimpatja Healing Centre)

Midwife (Mildura)

Maternal and Child Health Nurse (Mildura)

General Practitioner (Swan Hill)

MDAS Jobs website

6.3 : Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative 2 POSITIONS VACANT

POSITIONS VACANT

Casual – Registered Nurse Division 1

We are looking for Registered Nurses, to work in our Community Health Services on a casual basis.

Role Purpose:

You will need to be someone who takes pride in delivering the best possible services to provide culturally appropriate, community based Primary Health Care by providing clinical nursing services including treatment, early intervention and prevention and associated services in the context of an Aboriginal Health Service.

Key Selection Criteria:

* Current registration as Registered Nurse (Div 1) with AHPRA.

* Hold a current Police Check and Valid Australian Driver’s License with the jurisdiction of residence

* Hold a current Working with Children’s Check

* Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples culture

* Commitment to ensuring client and organisational confidentiality, specific to work role.

* Understand and adhere to AGPAL/RACGP standards.

For consideration for an interview, you must obtain a Position Description from Marieta on (03) 5820 6405 or email: marieta.martin@raclimited.com.au or download the Position Description from http://www.rumbalara.org.au/vacancies and address the Key Selection Criteria, include a current resume, copies of qualifications and a cover letter.

Applications close at 4pm on Wednesday, 7th November 2018 and are to be addressed to:

Human Resources Dept.

Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative PO Box 614 Mooroopna Vic 3629

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community are encouraged to appl

http://www.rumbalara.org.au/vacancies

7.New South Wales

7.1 AHMRC Sydney and Rural

Check website for current Opportunities

8. Tasmania

TAC JOBS AND TRAINING WEBSITE

9.Canberra ACT Winnunga ACCHO

Winnunga ACCHO Job opportunites

10. Other : Stakeholders Indigenous Health

POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Job ref: 3777

The University of Newcastle’s Health Behaviour and Research Collaborative (HBRC) is seeking a Research Associate to work collaboratively with members of the research team to assist in the development, management and conduct of a range of research studies, including an NHMRC-funded research project to improve diagnosis and care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with dementia.

The successful applicant will have a doctoral qualification in psychology, medicine or another relevant health discipline, and may also have experience in managing research projects in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

For more information, visit the University of Newcastle website, using the above reference number.

PART-TIME RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Aboriginality is a genuine occupational qualification criterion for the specific role.

Job ref: 3778

The University of Newcastle is seeking a part time Research Assistant to support work across a range of health projects.

The successful applicant will carry out various research tasks including literature searches, manuscript preparation, data collation, stakeholder engagement, as well as drafting grant and ethics applications.

The successful applicant must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent and have a degree, or be working towards the completion of a degree, in social or health sciences, medicine or allied health professions.

For more information, visit the University of Newcastle website, using the above reference number.

UNSW Director of Indigenous Health Education

Apply nowJob no: 495137

Work type: Fixed term / Part time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Head of School / Director

Unique newly created opportunity
Significantly contribute to trends, initiatives and directions in Indigenous health education at UNSW
Fixed term – Part time (0.5 FTE) for 36 months
Location – Sydney NSW Australia

The Organisation

UNSW Medicine is a national leader in learning, teaching and research, with close affiliations to a number of Australia’s finest hospitals, research institutes and health care organisations. With a strong presence at UNSW Kensington campus, the faculty have staff and students in teaching hospitals in Sydney as well as regional and rural areas of NSW including Albury/Wodonga, Wagga Wagga, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie.

The Opportunity

The Director of Indigenous Health Education is responsible for providing strategic advice and support to the Senior Vice Dean Education as well as curriculum development and oversight regarding education on Indigenous health-related issues. The Director of Indigenous Health Education will work with the Senior Vice Dean Education, Associate Dean Education, Medicine Program Authority, Chairs of Medicine Phase and Curriculum Development Committees, Program Authority for Exercise Physiology as well as Program Authorities for Medicine’s postgraduate coursework programs and other key areas of the University to develop and contribute towards Indigenous health-related teaching.

Fixed term – Part time (0.5 FTE) for 36 months
Academic Level C: $125, 160 – $143, 593 plus 17% superannuation and leave loading

Responsibilities will include:

Collaborate with the Senior Vice Dean (Education) and Associate Dean (Education), Program Authorities and Committees to define Faculty goals to support Indigenous health education, including indigenous-health related curriculum development and Indigenous student recruitment and retention.
Provide strategic advice and assistance to the Associate Dean Education on all matters relating to Indigenous health education.
Provide advice to the Senior Vice Dean (Education) on trends, initiatives and directions in Indigenous health education and be responsible for the oversight of Indigenous health curricula within UNSW Medicine.
Work with UNSW Medicine and other university members to forward various Aboriginal statements and reconciliation action plans, include UNSW Elders.
Provide support and guidance to students regarding Indigenous matters.
Work with the Director of Development and Engagement to promote Indigenous philanthropy across the faculty.

About the Successful Applicant

Bachelors degree, ideally in the field of education or Indigenous health. Masters or PhD in the fields of education or Indigenous health would be an advantage.
Can demonstrate a thorough understanding of the issues, directions and challenges in indigenous health.
Knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history or extensive experience working with Indigenous peoples.
Sound understanding of University and Faculty administration, practices, policies and procedures.
Proven record of management experience with effective strategic leadership and team building capabilities, ideally within a higher education environment.

You should systematically address the selection criteria from the position description in your application. Click Link for the Position Description Download File PD – Director of Indigenous Health Education.pdf

Please apply online – applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.

Contact:

Professor Gary Velan – Senior Vice Dean of Education

E: g.velan@unsw.edu.au

Applications close: 11pm 5^th November 2018

This position is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants only. UNSW has obtained an exemption under section 126 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) to designate and recruit professional and academic positions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons only, to fulfil UNSW’s goal of a representative workforce rate.

Position Description

Advertised: 08 Oct 2018 AUS Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 05 Nov 2018 AUS Eastern Daylight Time

APPLY HERE

NACCHO Aboriginal Health Alert : Download the 50 Page @HealthInfoNet Summary of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2017

” One area of positive change is in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-governance.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Members of the House of Representatives, Senators and other senior political leaders work to improve the health and wellbeing of their people

These developments have come after years of leadership from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs).”

Extract from Summary of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2017

Download Summary+of+Aboriginal+and+Torres+Strait+Islander+health+status+2017

The new Summary of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2017 makes keeping up to date easier. The Summary is a plain language version of the more comprehensive Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2017.

Our annual Summary is one of our most popular publications.

This year as part of our ongoing commitment to strengths based approaches, we have highlighted improvements to health factors that contribute to positive health outcomes.

The Summary presents the latest facts and evidence and provides the workforce with the tools to keep up to date on the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and in a way that is easily understood.

The Summary highlights the areas whereAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s health continues to improve, such as the decline in infant mortality rates, a decline in the death rate from avoidable causes, and a decline in the death rate from cardiovascular disease.

There have also been improvements in eye health – for example, there has been a decrease in the prevalence of active trachoma among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in some remote communities.

The percentage of people who are daily smokers continues to fall which is another positive step as tobacco smoking is a major risk factor for ill health.

Introduction

This Summary of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2017 is based on the Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2017 produced by the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. It provides information about:

population
births
deaths
major health problems
health risk and protective factors.

Many reports and publications about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people focus on the negative differences between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous people. We pledge to also report positive differences and improvements in health whenever the information is available.

In this Summary, as part of our ongoing commitment to strengths based approaches, we have highlighted improvements to health and factors that contribute to positive health outcomes .

Most of the information in this Summary comes from government reports, particularly those produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

Data for these reports come from:

health surveys (for example, the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health surveys)
hospitals and other government agencies (such as the birth and death registration systems and the hospital in-patient collections)
doctors across Australia.

The accuracy of identification of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in health data collections varies across the country

In this Summary, unless otherwise stated, statistics collected in the following jurisdictions New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (Qld), Western Australia (WA), South Australia (SA) and the Northern Territory (NT) are considered to be adequate, for example, for mortality.

However, for some collections such as hospitalisation, data is considered adequate across Australia.

Due to the difference in the age structures of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population and the non-Indigenous population (see Figure 1), any comparison of rates between the populations requires the data to be age-standardised (see Glossary).

All comparisons of rates in this Summary will be age-standardised unless otherwise stated.

How do historical and political factors influence health?

Aboriginal people have lived in Australia for at least 45,000 years [1] and possibly up to 120,000 years [2]. Torres Strait Islander people first lived on the islands in the Torres Straits and now live across mainland Australia and the Straits [2].

Before colonisation by Europeans, both Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people enjoyed a semi-nomadic lifestyle [2].

They lived in family and community groups and moved across their own territories according to the seasons.

The transition from living as active hunter-gatherers to a mostly inactive lifestyle with a Westernised diet has had serious effects on their health [3].

Colonisation led to the introduction of certain policies that have had a negative impact on quality of life and health.

Many of these policies have contributed to past and continuing experiences of:

racism
discrimination
the forced removal of children
loss of identity, language, culture and land [4].

What social factors affect people’s health?

The social determinants of health are the social factors that influence health [6]. They include the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age.

These conditions are created by policies, political systems and social customs [6, 7]. Other social factors that contribute to the gap in health between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people include education, employment, income and the physical environment where they live.

Education

According to the 2016 Australian Census [8], among 20-24 year old Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:
• 47% completed year 12 (compared with only 32% in 2006)
• women were more likely than men to have completed year 12 (51% compared with 43%)
• people living in urban areas were more likely to have completed year 12 compared with those living in rural areas (50% compared with 34%)
• the highest proportions of people completing year 12 were in the ACT (66%) and Qld (55%); the lowest proportion was in the NT (25%).

An ABS report about schools [9] showed that in 2016:

• there were 207,852 school students who identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, which was an increase of 3.6% from 20151
• 59.8% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who started secondary school in year 7/8 continued through to year 12.
A national report on schooling in Australia [10] showed that in 2017:
• at least 77% of year 3 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students were at or above the national minimum standard for reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy
• at least 69% of year 5 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students were at or above the national minimum standard for reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy.

Employment

According to the 2016 Australian Census [8]:
• 47% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people between the ages of 15 and 64 years were employed
• 70% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 to 24 years were either in full- or part-time employment, education
or training
• the top three areas of employment in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people worked were: health care and social
assistance (15%); public administration and safety (12%); and education and training (10%)
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men were most likely to be employed in construction (17%) and women were most likely to be employed in health care and social assistance (24%).

Income

According to the 2016 Census [8]:
• 20% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reported an equivalised2 weekly income of $1,000 or more compared with 13% in 2011 [8, 11]
• 53% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reported an equivalised weekly household income of between $150 and $799 (compared with 51% of non-Indigenous people reporting an equivalised weekly household income of between $400 and $1249) [8].

NACCHO #Saveadate : First day of #NACCHOagm2018 Aboriginal Youth Conference Tuesday 30 October Future Leaders of Tomorrow : Registrations and limited sponsored packages still available ! Closing October 26

This Month

NACCHO Aboriginal Youth Conference Tuesday 30 October 2018 Future Leaders of Tomorrow : Registrations and limited sponsored Packages close October 26

NACCHO AGM 2018 Brisbane Oct 31—Nov 2 Registrations now open : Download the Program

This Week

Top Docs heading to the Top End: Major rural medicine conference in Darwin

Future events /conferences

Now open: Aged Care Regional, Rural and Remote Infrastructure Grant opportunity.$500,000 closes 24 October 2018

The fourth annual Indigenous Business Month this year will celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in business, to coincide with the 2018 NAIDOC theme Because of Her, We Can.

Wiyi Yani U Thangani Women’s Voices project.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander HIV Awareness Week (ATSIHAW) 28th November to 5th December : Expression of Interest open but close 26 October

2018 International Indigenous Allied Health Forum at the Mercure Hotel, Sydney, Australia on the 30 November 2018

AIDA Conference 2018 Vision into Action

Healing Our Spirit Worldwide

2nd National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Conference 20-21 November Perth

2019 Close the Gap for Vision by 2020 – National Conference 2019

NACCHO Aboriginal Youth Conference Tuesday 30 October 2018 Future Leaders of Tomorrow : Registrations and limited sponsored Packages close October 26

MC Patrick Johnson
NACCHO Chair John Singer Welcome address
Priorities from our Youth moving forward discussion
Young NACCHO and his role at Canberra NACCHO
Youth Subcommittee formed
Brothers for Recovery
STI testing and support services in your local community
Sports and your community
Cultural connection to Country
Aaron Everett (working with our Mob,
Ochre Day Jaydon Adams 2018 winner)
Case study examples from WA Youth speaker
Westpac Youth Finance Program explained

Image above from AHCWA Aboriginal Youth Health Strategy 2018 -2023

For further details contact Wendy Brookman NACCHO Conference Manager

Telephone (02) 6246 9393

NACCHO AGM 2018 Brisbane Oct 31 —Nov 2 Registrations still open

Follow our conference using HASH TAG #NACCHOagm2018

Download 6 page Program as at 16 October

NACCHO National Conference Program 2018 (1)

Conference Website Link:

Accommodation Link:

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.

Conference Website Link

Top Docs heading to the Top End: Major rural medicine conference in Darwin

Rural Medicine Australia conference
25-27 October 2018, Darwin
www.ruralmedicineaustralia.com.au

#RMA18

Hundreds of Australia’s best and brightest rural doctors are heading to the Top End this week for the country’s biggest rural medical conference, Rural Medicine Australia (RMA18).

RMA is the annual ‘must attend’ event for rural doctors, interns, medical students and other rural health professionals, with around 700 delegates attending from around Australia and the world.

There are also pre- and post-conference workshops to provide even more professional development opportunities for doctors working in some of Australia’s most remote locations.

RMA is the annual conference of the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) and Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), and is the only major annual conference geared solely towards the needs of rural and remote doctors in Australia.

ACRRM President, Associate Professor Ruth Stewart, said: “RMA provides some of the best education opportunities for doctors to maintain and improve the high standards of clinical and other skills needed for rural and remote practice.

“Our hugely popular RMA workshops in Rural Emergency Skills Training, Advanced Life Support and Rural Emergency Obstetrics Training sold out in only a few days, and other training courses we are offering at RMA in Mental Health Disorders, Rural Emergency Responder, Procedural GP Obstetrics, and Ultrasound in Rural Emergency Medicine have also proved extremely popular.

“Our conference program is packed with presentations on the latest research and issues across our core conference topics of Indigenous Health, Women in Health, Innovation in Rural Medicine, Tropical Health, and Research in Policy and Practice.

“We are very excited to be bringing such a dynamic and exciting program to Darwin this year, and our delegates are looking forward to experiencing all that the Top End has to offer while we are here!”

RDAA President, Dr Adam Coltzau, said: “Alongside the enormous range of upskilling workshops at RMA, our annual conference also offers the opportunity for rural and remote doctors to directly participate in critical policy discussions and forums, and to hear from key politicians and policy-makers in the rural health space.

“This year we are excited to be featuring keynote addresses from the Federal Shadow Minister for Health, Catherine King MP and the National Rural Health Commissioner, Emeritus Professor Paul Worley, who is in the process of developing the framework for a National Rural Generalist Pathway.

“We are also excited about our RMA Presidents’ Breakfast policy forum on the Friday morning, which will consider the policy initiatives needed to build the Indigenous doctor workforce and also deliver more of the next generation of Rural Generalist doctors to country Australia.

“We have a range of other inspiring keynote speakers like Dr Jillann Farmer, Director of the Medical Services Division of the United Nations; Ms Donna Ah Chee, CEO of the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress; Dr Olivia O’Donoghue, who is Medical Director of the Top End Regional Training Hub; and Dr Glenn Singleman, one of Australia’s most respected and accomplished professional adventurers, expedition doctors and documentary filmmakers.

“We will also be recognising some of the great work and dedicated service of our rural medical colleagues with the presentation of the RDAA and ACRRM annual awards at a Gala dinner on the Friday night.

“In addition to all these excellent opportunities, RMA provides delegates with the rare opportunity to network with others who share many of the same challenges and issues when working as doctors in the bush.”

Now open: Aged Care Regional, Rural and Remote Infrastructure Grant opportunity.$500,000 closes 24 October 2018

This grant opportunity is designed to assist existing approved residential and home care providers in regional, rural and remote areas to invest in infrastructure. Commonwealth Home Support Programme services will also be considered, where there is exceptional need. Funding will be prioritised to aged care services most in need and where geographical constraints and significantly higher costs impede services’ ability to invest in infrastructure works.

Up to $500,000 (GST exclusive) will be available per service via a competitive application process.

Eligibility:

To be eligible you must be:

an approved residential or home care provider (as defined under the Aged Care Act 1997) or an approved Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) provider in exceptional circumstances (refer Frequently asked Questions) ; and
currently operating an aged care service located in Modified Monash Model Classification 3-7 or if a CHSP provider, the service is located in MMM 6-7. (MMM Locator).

More Info Apply

The fourth annual Indigenous Business Month this year will celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in business, to coincide with the 2018 NAIDOC theme Because of Her, We Can.

Throughout October, twenty national Indigenous Business Month events will take place showcasing the talents of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women entrepreneurs from a variety of business sectors. These events aim to ignite conversations about Indigenous business development and innovation, focusing on women’s roles and leadership.

Indigenous Business Month is an initiative driven by the alumni of Melbourne Business School’s MURRA Indigenous Business Master Class, who see business as a way of providing positive role models for young Indigenous Australians and improving quality of life in Indigenous communities.

Since the launch of Indigenous Business Month in 2015, [1] the Indigenous business sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in Australia delivering over $1 billion in goods and services for the Australian economy.

Jason Eades, Director, Consulting at Social Ventures Australia and Indigenous Business Month 2018 host said:

“It is a privilege to be involved in Indigenous Business Month, to be able to take the time to celebrate and acknowledge the great achievements of our Indigenous entrepreneurs and their respective businesses. Indigenous entrepreneurs are showing the rest of the world that we can do business and do it well, whilst maintaining our strong cultural values.”

The latest ABS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey 2014-15 shows that only 51.5 percent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women participate in the workforce compared to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men at 65 percent.

The Australian Government has invested in a range of initiatives to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women entrepreneurs in the work-placeincluding: [2) Continued funding for girls’ academies in high schools, so that young women can realise their leadership potential, greater access to finance and business support suited to the needs of Indigenous businesses with a focus on Indigenous entrepreneurs and start-ups, and expanding the ParentsNextprogram and Fund pre-employment projects via the new Launch into Work program providing flexibility to meet the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

Michelle Evans, MURRA Program Director AND Associate Professor of Leadership at the University of Melbourne said:

“The Indigenous Business Month’s aim is to inspire, showcase and engage the Indigenous business community. This year it is more significant than ever to support the female Indigenous business community and provide a platform for them to network and encourage young Indigenous women to consider developing a business as a career option.”

Indigenous Business Month runs from October 1 to October 31. Check out the website for an event near you (spaces are limited).

The initiative is supported by 33 Creative, Asia Pacific Social Impact Centre at the University of Melbourne, Iscariot Media, and PwC.

For more information on Indigenous Business Month visit

· The Website www.indigenousbusinessmonth.com.au

· Facebook

· Twitter

· LinkedIn

Wiyi Yani U Thangani Women’s Voices project.

June Oscar AO and her team are excited to hear from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls across the country as a part of the Wiyi Yani U Thangani Women’s Voices project.

Whilst we will not be able to get to every community, we hope to hear from as many women and girls as possible through this process. If we are not coming to your community we encourage you to please visit the Have your Say! page of the website to find out more about the other ways to have your voice included through our survey and submission process.

We will be hosting public sessions as advertised below but also a number of private sessions to enable women and girls from particularly vulnerable settings like justice and care to participate.

Details about current, upcoming and past gatherings appears below, however it is subject to change. We will update this page regularly with further details about upcoming gatherings closer to the date of the events.

Please get in touch with us via email wiyiyaniuthangani@humanrights.gov.au or phone on (02) 9284 9600 if you would like more information.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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Current gatherings

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls are invited to register for one of the following gatherings

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Upcoming gatherings

If your community is listed below and you would like to be involved in planning for our visit or would like more information, please write to us at wiyiyaniuthangani@humanrights.gov.au or phone (02) 9284 9600.

Location	Dates





Port Headland	October 2018
Newman	October 2018
Dubbo	TBC
Brewarrina	TBC
Rockhampton	TBC
Longreach	TBC
Kempsey	TBC

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Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander HIV Awareness Week (ATSIHAW) 28th November to 5th December : Expression of Interest open but close 26 October

In 2017 we supported more than 60 ACCHS to run community events during ATSIHAW.

We are now seeking final EOIs to host 2018 ATSIHAW Events

EOI’s will remain open until 26^th October 2018

ATSIHAW coincides each year with World AIDS Day- our aim is to promote conversation and action around HIV in our communities. Our long lasting theme of ATSIHAW is U AND ME CAN STOP HIV”.

If you would like to host an ATSIHAW event in 2018, please complete the EOI form here Expression of Interest 2018 and then send back to us to at atsihaw@sahmri.com

Once registered we will send merchandise to your service to help with your event.

For more information about ATSIHAW please visit http://www.atsihiv.org.au/hiv-awareness-week/merchandise/

ATSIHAW on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ATSIHAW/

ATSIHAW on Twitter https://twitter.com/atsihaw

2018 International Indigenous Allied Health Forum at the Mercure Hotel, Sydney, Australia on the 30 November 2018.

This Forum will bring together Indigenous and First Nation presenters and panellists from across the world to discuss shared experiences and practices in building, supporting and retaining an Indigenous allied health workforce.

This full-day event will provide a platform to share information and build an integrated approach to improving culturally safe and responsive health care and improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Indigenous peoples and communities.

Delegates will include Indigenous and First Nation allied health professionals and students from Australia, Canada, the USA and New Zealand. There will also be delegates from a range of sectors including, health, wellbeing, education, disability, academia and community.

MORE INFO

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.

Registrations Close August 31

Healing Our Spirit Worldwide

Global gathering of Indigenous people to be held in Sydney

University of Sydney, The Healing Foundation to co-host Healing Our Spirit Worldwide

Gawuwi gamarda Healing Our Spirit Worldwidegu Ngalya nangari nura Cadigalmirung.

Calling our friends to come, to be at Healing Our Spirit Worldwide. We meet on the country of the Cadigal.

In November 2018, up to 2,000 Indigenous people from around the world will gather in Sydney to take part in Healing Our Spirit Worldwide: The Eighth Gathering.

A global movement, Healing Our Spirit Worldwidebegan in Canada in the 1980s to address the devastation of substance abuse and dependence among Indigenous people around the world. Since 1992 it has held a gathering approximately every four years, in a different part of the world, focusing on a diverse range of topics relevant to Indigenous lives including health, politics, social inclusion, stolen generations, education, governance and resilience.

The International Indigenous Council – the governing body of Healing Our Spirit Worldwide – has invited the University of Sydney and The Healing Foundation to co-host the Eighth Gathering with them in Sydney this year. The second gathering was also held in Sydney, in 1994.

Please also feel free to tag us in any relevant cross posting: @HOSW8 @hosw2018 #HOSW18 #HealingOurWay #TheUniversityofSydney

2nd National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Conference 20-21 November Perth

” The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention and World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference Committee invite and welcome you to Perth for the second National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Conference, and the second World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference.

Our Indigenous communities, both nationally and internationally, share common histories and are confronted with similar issues stemming from colonisation. Strengthening our communities so that we can address high rates of suicide is one of these shared issues. The Conferences will provide more opportunities to network and collaborate between Indigenous people and communities, policy makers, and researchers. The Conferences are unique opportunities to share what we have learned and to collaborate on solutions that work in suicide prevention.

This also enables us to highlight our shared priorities with political leaders in our respective countries and communities.

Conference Website

2019 Close the Gap for Vision by 2020 – National Conference 2019

Indigenous Eye Health and co-host Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) are pleased to announce the Close the Gap for Vision by 2020 – National Conference 2019 which will be held in Alice Springs, Northern Territory on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 March 2019 at the Alice Springs Convention Centre.

The 2019 conference will run over two days with the aim of bringing people together and connecting people involved in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye care from local communities, ACCOs, health services, non-government organisations, professional bodies and government departments from across the country. We would like to invite everyone who is working on or interested in improving eye health and care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

More information available at: go.unimelb.edu.au/wqb6

NACCHO CEO Pat Turner and @END_RHD_CRE Co- Chair @jcarapetis call for a commitment to eliminate #RHD in Australia and clear plan of action and targets to measure progress

” Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are 55 times more likely to die of rheumatic heart disease than other Australian children. We’re here today seeking a commitment from all political parties to stop this preventable disease from ever taking the life of another child in Australia.”

Aboriginal leaders are here to let politicians know that we are ready to partner with them, and that with their support, ending the disease is achievable,”

Ms Pat Turner AM, Co-Chair of END RHD and CEO of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), says comprehensive and collaborative action to tackle the disease is needed to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are given the chance to reach their full potential.

See Pat Turner speech in full Part 4 Below

Three Aboriginal brothers – the youngest only three – who are living with deadly rheumatic heart disease (RHD) will today join community representatives, health workers and medical experts at Parliament House, asking for a commitment to end the disease in Australia.

Virtually eliminated from the rest of Australia and most wealthy countries decades ago, rheumatic heart disease remains a scourge in developing countries and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities, where rates are among the highest in the world. RHD starts with a sore throat or skin sores but can end with permanent heart damage, open-heart surgery and death at a very young age.

Also speaking at the event is one of the world’s leading rheumatic heart disease researchers, Professor Jonathan Carapetis AM, Co-Chair of END RHD and Director of the Telethon Kids Institute, who says a nonpartisan commitment is the next step needed to tackle the disease in Australia.

“I’ve spent 25 years researching rheumatic heart disease, and I truly believe that we’ve never been in a stronger position to eliminate the disease in this country.”

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations are taking the lead and working hand in hand with communities. We researchers are bringing the evidence to support them. If there is one country in the world that should be able to eliminate RHD, it is Australia,” Professor Carapetis said.

The Snow Foundation CEO, Georgina Byron, said event participants are pleased that RHD has become a priority for the Australian Government.

“The Government’s commitment to developing a roadmap to eliminate RHD is a great start, but we need an urgent allocation in the 2019 Federal Budget to commit to immediate action, fund comprehensive primary health care and appropriate educational activities in communities at high risk of RHD. We need to continue to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, and set stretch targets to end RHD,” Ms Byron said.

Aboriginal Communities are taking local action to stop the devastating effects of the disease through community-led solutions. A unique program highlighted today engages Aboriginal Health Practitioners to use traditional languages and new technology, to create a comprehensive local effort to identify and stop RHD.

“With the engagement and participation of traditional owners in Maningrida, the local school, the health clinic, and Malabam Health Board, 13 new cases of RHD were discovered among 450 children, and two children – aged 8 and 12 – needed emergency heart surgery,” says Dr Bo Reményi, paediatric cardiologist and NT Australian of the Year. “At the same time, teachers and health workers were educating children and families about prevention in traditional language and through local metaphors. As one traditional owner recently remarked, ‘it’s been the greatest community collaboration I’ve ever experienced.’”

A comprehensive, community strategy, led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, is critical to ending RHD. With strong leadership and political support, we will meet Australia’s commitment earlier this year at the World Health Assembly to prevent, control and eliminate rheumatic heart disease, but we need to take action now so that no child born in Australia from this day forward will develop rheumatic heart disease.

Part 2 About The Snow Foundation

The Snow Foundation is the creation of brothers Terry and George Snow who have a straightforward view—if you see someone struggling, give them a helping hand.

Since it was established in 1991, the foundation has helped more than 250 groups, more than 240 individuals and provided more than $27 million in funds. Every dollar donated was given with the aim to enable individuals and organisations introduce positive improvement in their lives and their communities.

The foundation has helped with projects big and small, in a broad range of areas such as education, belonging, social change and health. Projects include purchasing vital equipment for people with disabilities, developing microloans to help women escape domestic violence, funding scholarships, providing a home for the homeless, advocating for marriage equality, broadening the impact of excellent palliative care and partnering with community organisations, philanthropy, businesses and governments to improve and save lives whenever possible.

Part 3 About END RHD

END RHD is an alliance of health, research and community organisations seeking to amplify efforts to end rheumatic heart disease in Australia through advocacy and engagement.

END RHD is the first time such a broad-based alliance has come together to pool their collective expertise. END RHD is:

Working with the communities most at risk of rheumatic heart disease in Australia. Only through Indigenous-owned, community-led strategies will we be able to successfully tackle the disease.
Securing funding and the political will to turn the world class research conducted by the End Rheumatic Heart Disease Centre of Research Excellence (END RHD CRE) into action.
Educating and empowering Australians about the role they can play in ending rheumatic heart disease

The founding members of END RHD are the Australian Medical Association, Heart Foundation, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), RHD Australia based at Menzies School of Health Research, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT), Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA), the END RHD Centre of Research Excellence based at Telethon Kids Institute, The Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia (AHCSA), the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) and the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC).

Part 4 Ms Pat Turner, CEO of NACCHO and Co-Chair END RHD

Thank you and I too wish to acknowledge the traditional owners. It is wonderful to join you on the country of Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples. Thank you for your welcome, and to the traditional owners of this land. We are coming together today with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from around the country, including from remote Maningrida in the Northern Territory. I also want to welcome and acknowledge Minister Wyatt for his leadership on rheumatic heart disease.

Let me begin by saying I believe that today can be the beginning of the end of rheumatic heart disease. Our shared vision is that no child born in Australia from this day forward should die of RHD. We are here – now – to ask for your help in bringing that vision to life.

Rheumatic heart disease begins with a sore throat or a skin sore. For our children, these are common infections – but the impact can last a lifetime. A lifetime which, too often, is cut short.

We are going to hear today about the impact of these infections and the complications they can cause when RHD develops. I will let families and health workers tell their stories about why that happens, and what it means for them.

I want to tell you first why this matters for me.

As the CEO of NACCHO, I spearhead the Aboriginal Community controlled Health Sector where we employ over 6000 staff people working across 300 clinics at the community level to deliver comprehensive primary health care.

Comprehensive care means that we do everything – immunisations and iron infusions, injuries and ischaemic heart disease. Doing everything means that we rarely choose to focus on a single disease. There is so much to be done, we can’t afford to have ‘favourite’ diseases.

But RHD sticks out. It’s the greatest cause of cardiovascular inequality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in this country. Non-Indigenous people, literally, just don’t contract it. 98% of people who get RHD in Australia are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We get it because of crowded houses, because – despite our best efforts – showers don’t work, taps don’t run, and clothes don’t get washed. We get it because our clinics are overwhelmed with demand and sometimes skin sores and sore throats go untreated. We get it because rheumatic fever gets missed and sometimes it is too late for treatment.

At NACCHO, we became a founding partner of END RHD not because this disease is a simple fix, but because it is hard. Because it spans from housing to clinics to open heart surgery.

It exemplifies the gaps in prevention in the health system and in outcomes. We are focusing on this because the only possible solution is a comprehensive, Indigenous-led primary care-based strategy of both prevention and treatment.

In pursuing this goal we have an opportunity to work together, collaboratively, in new ways. We believe in that way of working and we believe that it can end RHD.

We’ve been worried about RHD for decades. Young people kept dying and researchers kept writing papers about the problem. We’ve had some dribs and drabs of progress but it was always fragmented – some projects on echo screening, on improving needles for kids with RHD, some on better registers of people living with the disease.

In 2015 the National Health and Medical Research Council funded the END RHD Centre of Research Excellence – the END RHD CRE. The END RHD CRE said they were going to write an Endgame Strategy for RHD. We thought they’d picked a weird name for yet another report on yet another disease.

We carried on with comprehensive primary health care delivery.

But the drum beat about the need to tackle RHD has grown louder, and today, we are at a tipping point.

We heard about the work of Take Heart to tell the stories of people living with RHD.

We saw that movie and we knew that sharing the reality of RHD was going to help everyone see what we already knew – RHD has an enormous impact in community. Then we started to hear about plans for the World Health Organisation to call for action on RHD globally – we know that Australia is one of the few wealthy countries where RHD still exists, and has a real opportunity to show international leadership in ending our domestic disparity.

In 2016, the Australian Medical Association focused their Indigenous Report Card on the issue of RHD and called for targets to tackle RHD by 2031. At the launch of that document, we announced the formation of END RHD – an alliance of organisations working to address the disease together. NACCHO was pleased to be a founding partner – alongside

The Australian Heart Foundation

The Australian Medical Association

Menzies School of Health Research

Telethon Kids Institute

And, critically, NACCHO affiliates in the 5 jurisdictions with high rates of RHD – ACHWA, AMSANT, QAICH, AHSCA and AH&MRC.

The interest of these groups made it clear that RHD isn’t something that we just have to live with or die from. It’s something we can take collective action about.

In May this year we heard that a resolution on RHD was passed at the World Health Organisation in Geneva. All countries must report on their actions to address RHD. The world will be watching Australia particularly closely.

Momentum since then has continued to grow. Minister Wyatt has shown great leadership in convening two roundtables on RHD, discussing the issue at COAG twice this year. Funding has been allocated to begin pilot programs in a small number of communities to prevent new cases of RHD. Other projects supported by philanthropic organisations, including our co-hosts, the Snow Foundation, demonstrate the power of community leadership.

END RHD has been joined by a whole network of supporters who have signed up as charter signatories to END RHD (name or indicate logo – TBD). We are working closely with the END RHD CRE to make sure that their Endgame Strategy isn’t just another report on a shelf, but a really tangible roadmap of what we need to do to tackle this disease.

And so we are here today – at the beginning of the end. And we need you to make it happen. Not just in a report – but in real world.

So we are asking you today:

For a commitment to eliminate RHD in Australia.
For a clear plan of action and targets to measure progress.
For a commitment to achieve those targets through the COAG process.
To appoint an Indigenous-led Steering committee to oversee that work.

And I need to let you know what we’re asking you to sign up to:

We estimate that it will take two decades to end RHD.
It’s going to take money. Some now, and more later. Probably much more – my research friends are running up the numbers to estimate the cost.
It’s going to mean working beyond the health sector. We need action on housing and environmental health, which drives this disease.

So there is a long road ahead of us – but that road is transformative. Not just because we can save lives and prevent the human suffering of RHD. That is important. But also, because a comprehensive, community-led approach to primary care and environmental health will help address so much more: ear disease, eye disease, childhood lung infections. RHD is just the start of this new way of working.

END RHD and our partners stand ready to put that new way into practice. We are already working with individuals, families, and communities most impacted by the disease. We are working with researchers to develop the best, and most effective recommendations. We are working with allies outside of health, in business, and in philanthropy to combine our efforts on this disease and all the preventable suffering it represents.

Today we come as a community, to Canberra, to seek a political commitment to support these efforts. Make no mistake – the financial ask is brewing and we expect that to be accounted for – but today, we ask that you hear the RHD story from the people who live it – and ask that you join us to commit, publicly, to end rheumatic heart disease in Australia. To resource that. And to let us lead the way.

NACCHO Aboriginal Health : Download @HealingOurWay report, titled #LookingWheretheLightIs: creating and restoring safety and healing, to coincide with PM Morrison’s apology to victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.

“The Healing Foundation has released a report, titled Looking Where the Light Is: creating and restoring safety and healing, to coincide with Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s apology to victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.

The report details a cultural framework that aims to address the inaction that followed the 1997 Bringing Them Home Report, which outlined 54 recommendations to redress the impact of removal policies and tackle ongoing trauma – most remain unresolved.”

Download Copy of Report Looking-Where-The-Light-Is-Final

With more than 14 per cent of respondents to the Royal Commission coming from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, the effects of institutional child sexual abuse are overwhelming.

While an apology is welcome and seen as a good first step, the inaction from the Bringing Them Home report necessitates a direct response.

The Royal Commission made a number of recommendations in relation to advocacy, support and treatment services for survivors, including providing access to tailored treatment and support services for as long as necessary, along with funding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healing approaches as an ongoing, integral part of therapeutic responses.

The way forward is clear. However, it requires long term commitment from governments, the broader Australian community and mainstream organisations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and organisations.

NACCHO Aboriginal Health and #MyHealthRecord : Download the Senate Community Affairs References Committee Report on the My Health Record system with the 14 Recommendations

” This committee inquiry received 118 submissions and we heard some very significant points of view in the committee.

We held three hearings. I think that the number of submissions demonstrates the importance of My Health Record to the community and also the importance of getting it right. Also, it’s very clear that the community want their concerns to be heard, and we did hear many.

Although we did hear many concerns, overall it’s fair to say that the purpose of the My Health Record system is supported.”

Senator SIEWERT

Download the 100 Page Report

My Health Record Senate Report

” Recommendations : The committee recommends that the Australian Government commit additional funding for a broad-based education campaign regarding My Health Record, with particular regard to communicating with vulnerable and hard to reach communities “

12 of 14 Recommendations see in full Part 1 below

” The ACHWA recommended that consideration be given to funding the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to provide assistance to Aboriginal people to access and manage their record. ACHWA noted that a number of practical limitations would impact on the ability of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to manage the privacy settings on their MHR:

While the client can change the privacy functions, there are issues with Aboriginal people especially those in remote locations having reliable digital/electronic/phone connectivity e.g. with the Helpline, waiting times can be long, the client may not have a phone, and there may be not mobile phone connectivity.101

Extracts from report referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health see Part 2 Below

The Senate Community Affairs References Committee’s report criticised the Australian Digital Health Agency’s information strategy, saying it had failed to give people enough information to make informed choices about the planned opt-out system.

The committee’s recommendations chime with many doctors’ concerns over the current MHR design regarding security and patient awareness.

RACGP President Dr Harry Nespolon said the problems had arisen due to the shift from an opt-in system to opt-out without adequate attention to safeguards.

“It’s clear that the privacy provisions in the current legislation are not sufficient. As it is now, we cannot support it,” Dr Nespolon told The Medical Republic.

“Whether the politicians take 12 months to sort it out, or 24 months, or six months, we would prefer they sort it out sooner rather than later.”

Coalition senators on the committee issued a dissenting report opposing the 12-month freeze and the adoption of default access codes. They argued that the use of access codes would impede clinicians and only pose more security risks if, for example, people were sent PINs by post or email.

Health Minister Greg Hunt, who earlier called the senate inquiry a “stunt”, rejected the call for a 12-month suspension.

But Labor’s health spokeswoman, Catherine King, said the My Health Record should not proceed until public confidence was restored.

She agreed with the report’s contention that “an unreasonable compromise may have been struck between ensuring the utility of the system and safeguarding the privacy and safety of healthcare recipients”.

Senator SIEWERT Continued

People recognise the benefits that a properly—and I reiterate the word ‘properly’—executed digital record will have for both individuals and the broader public health for our community. If properly executed, the system may lead to improvements in the quality of health care and health outcomes for many Australians.

The committee makes 14 recommendations, which, if implemented, we certainly think would lead to significant changes to My Health Record.

The report shows the need for improvement to the current legislation and, in some cases, the approach, and it was one of the bases for which Senators Di Natale and Watt moved a motion calling on the government to extend the opt-out period earlier today until the amended legislation can be passed.

We talk about the opt-out period in this report. Again, I’d like to encourage the government to extend the opt-out period. That’s certainly something a lot of people want to see.

A key theme of these recommendations, and something the committee kept hearing, is the need to ensure that the information in the record is used for a person’s health only, not for the benefit or purposes of an employer—and we heard some concerning evidence about the possibility there; although we acknowledge that that’s, in fact, not the government’s intent—and/or the government to recoup revenue or any commercial purposes.

The committee recommends these changes be enshrined in legislation.

Another key theme was for the Australian Digital Health Agency to, as much as possible, ensure that Australians understand their records and how to use them. It was very obvious that there are a lot of Australians who don’t understand the records or how to use them. A number of witnesses noted that the record appears to be based on the assumption that individuals have a high level of health literacy.

Submitters expressed concern about the ability of the average consumer to opt out of the record or set appropriate privacy settings, and they noted low levels of digital literacy among some groups of consumers.

While the Australian Digital Health Agency and the Department of Health both provided evidence about the information they are providing to consumers about My Health Record, it was notable that many community and consumer groups did not feel that this was necessarily sufficient.

Accordingly, the report recommends that the Australian Digital Health Agency revise its media strategy to provide more targeted comprehensive education about My Health Record.

As I articulated earlier, many people are supportive of the move to the digital health record, but we have to get it right, and that’s what we note in the report.

The committee has listened to the voices of Australians about My Health Record, and we encourage the government to do the same and respond to these recommendations. From the Australian Greens point of view, we remain supportive of the move to the digital health record, but we want to make sure we get it right. I encourage the government to look at these recommendations.

They’re put forward by the committee in the spirit of trying to make sure that we make this system as effective and useful as possible for individuals and the provision of healthcare in our community.

Part 1

Recommendation 1

The committee recommends that record access codes should be applied to each My Health Record as a default and that individuals should be required to choose to remove the code. The committee further recommends that the ability to override access codes in the case of an emergency should only be available to registered healthcare providers for use in extraordinary and urgent situations.

Recommendation 2

The committee recommends that the Australian Government amend the My Health Records Act 2012 to protect the privacy of children aged 14 to 17 years unless they expressly request that a parent be a nominated representative.

Recommendation 3

The committee recommends that the Minister for Health amend the My Health Record Rule 2016 to extend the period for which a My Health Record can be suspended in the case of serious risk to the healthcare recipient, such as in a domestic violence incident.

Recommendation 4

The committee recommends that data which is likely to be identifiable from an individual’s My Health Record not be made available for secondary use without the individual’s explicit consent.

Recommendation 5

The committee recommends that the current prohibition on secondary access to My Health Record data for commercial purposes be strengthened to ensure that My Health Record data cannot be used for commercial purposes.

Recommendation 6

The committee recommends that no third-party access to an individual’s My Health Record be permissible, without the explicit permission of the patient, except to maintain accurate contact information.

Recommendation 7

The committee recommends that the Australian Government amend the My Health Records Act 2012 and the Healthcare Identifiers Act 2010 to ensure that it is clear that an individual’s My Health Record cannot be accessed for employment or insurance purposes.

Recommendation 8

The committee recommends that access to My Health Records for the purposes of data matching between government departments be explicitly limited only to a person’s name, address, date of birth and contact information, and that no other information contained in a person’s My Health Record be made available.

Recommendation 9

The committee recommends that the legislation be amended to make explicit that a request for record deletion is to be interpreted as a right to be unlisted, and as such, that every record is protected from third-party access even after it is deleted, and that no cached or back-up version of a record can be accessed after a patient has requested its destruction.

Recommendation 10

The committee recommends that the Australian Digital Health Agency revise its media strategy to provide more targeted comprehensive education about My Health Record.

Recommendation 11

The committee recommends that the Australian Digital Health Agency identify, engage with and provide additional support to vulnerable groups to ensure that they have the means to decide whether to opt out, whether to adjust the access controls within their My Health Record and how to do this.

Recommendation 12

The committee recommends that the Australian Government commit additional funding for a broad-based education campaign regarding My Health Record, with particular regard to communicating with vulnerable and hard to reach communities

Recommendation 13

The committee recommends that the Australian Government extend the opt-out period for the My Health Record system for a further twelve months.

Recommendation 14

The committee recommends that the My Health Record system’s operator, or operators, report regularly and comprehensively to Parliament on the management of the My Health Record system.

Extracts from report referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healt

4.20 At the same time, the Evaluation noted that the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people registered with MHR was low and did not change during the trial period. The Evaluation found that this confirmed evidence from focus groups and trial teams that there are particular barriers to the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in rural and remote areas, such as computer literacy, internet access, health literacy and lack of linkages with other specific healthcare programs. The Evaluation noted that neither the opt-out or opt-in trials have provided lessons on how to address the impact of no or unreliable internet access

4.22 The evidence to the Royle Review suggested that there had not been sufficient focus on the needs of vulnerable or hard to reach individuals, who may stand to benefit from an electronic health record.

The committee considers that the Evaluation identified a need for particular focus on the needs of hard to reach individuals, such as those living in rural and remote locations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people and on barriers to participation in the MHR system, such as computer literacy, internet access

4.25 The Evaluation noted the importance of explaining the benefits of the MHR system in allaying individuals concerns about security and privacy.

They most often said that, while they thought that no computer-based systems were totally safe, on balance they thought that the benefits to them, their families and the health system far outweighed those risks.

This attitude held firm across general population, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants, gender, age groups, varying levels of computer literacy and access to computers or reliable internet. This reinforces the need for national awareness activities which make clear the benefits of the My Health Record system as well as the privacy and security protections.34

4.60 These concerns echo submissions to the Royle Review that argued an electronic health record ‘cannot be described as personally controlled if a population group (e.g. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) do not have the skills or tools to personally control it.’82

4.71 The Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (ACHWA) expressed concern that no formal process currently exists to assist people with limited or no access to electronic connectivity and no or limited digital literacy to access and manage their record. The RFDS also noted the lack of technological infrastructure in a significant number of rural and remote locations would impact on individual’s ability to access the MHR system.98

4.72 Submitters also noted that it is difficult for young people and some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to opt-out, because this requires identity documents that they may not have or that may be held by others.99

4.73 ACHWA recommended that consideration be given to funding the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to provide assistance to Aboriginal people to

access and manage their record.ACHWA noted that a number of practical limitations would impact on the ability of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to manage the privacy settings on their MHR:

NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News

The national authority in Aboriginal primary health care – Our Health in Our Hands

Monthly Archives:

NACCHO Aboriginal Health and #Nutrition : Download @aihw Nutrition across the life stages report @CHFofAustralia Poor diet findings underline calls for action on #obesity now : More than one-third of Australians’ energy intake comes from junk foods.

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NACCHO Aboriginal Health and #WorldStrokeDay @strokefdn #UpAgainAfterStroke. One-third to a half of all our mob in their 40s, 50s and 60s are at high risk of future heart attack or stroke but the good news is more than 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.

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NACCHO Aboriginal Health #ACCHO Deadly Good News stories : #NACCHOAgm2018 Program launched #NSW @ahmrc #ahmrcAGM18 #WA Mawarnkarra Health Service #VIC @VACCHO_org #QLD @DeadlyChoices @Apunipima

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NACCHO Aboriginal Health and #rethinksugarydrink : A new campaign asking people to reduce their sugar intake highlights the link between obesity and 13 different types of cancer

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NACCHO Aboriginal Health #Jobalerts #Rural #Remote as at 24 October #RMA18 to address health workforce shortages in regional, rural, remote and our Aboriginal community ACCHO’s like @MiwatjHealth @CAACongress @Apunipima #Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Service

Over 302 ACCHO clinics See all websites by state territory

About the Opportunity

About the Benefits

www.apunipima.org.au/work-for-us

Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS)

Expression of interest

Applying for a Current Vacancy

How to apply:

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NACCHO Aboriginal Health Alert : Download the 50 Page @HealthInfoNet Summary of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2017

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NACCHO #Saveadate : First day of #NACCHOagm2018 Aboriginal Youth Conference Tuesday 30 October Future Leaders of Tomorrow : Registrations and limited sponsored packages still available ! Closing October 26

Conference Website Link

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NACCHO CEO Pat Turner and @END_RHD_CRE Co- Chair @jcarapetis call for a commitment to eliminate #RHD in Australia and clear plan of action and targets to measure progress

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NACCHO Aboriginal Health and #MyHealthRecord : Download the Senate Community Affairs References Committee Report on the My Health Record system with the 14 Recommendations

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About the Opportunity

About the Benefits

Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS)

Expression of interest

Applying for a Current Vacancy

How to apply:

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