1.1 National : In 2018–19, NACCHO and the RACGP are working on further initiatives and we want your input!
1.2. National : Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) supports NACCHO and Uluru Statement from the Heart
2.1 Congress ACCHO Alice Springs Health Promotion team and Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Program partners with the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) to host a Warrior Run fun run/walk event
2.2 : NT : Survey Health Literacy Among Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Males in the NT.
2.3 NT : Katherine West Health ACCHO Board calls for ear checks
2.4 NT : Danila Dilba mobile clinic team put on a BBQ and conducted health checks for kids before school starts, as well as general health checks and STI tests for other community members.
3.WA : AHCWA congratulates Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Servicewho have recently passed ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) accreditation.
4.1 Vic : Mallee District Aboriginal Services
5. 1 Qld : Deadly Choices Workshop in Brisbane attracts over 100 Deadly Choice workers
5.2 All the News from the Apunipima ACCHO mob on Cape York
6.ACT : Winnunga Nimmityjah (Strong Health) Aboriginal Health and Community Services Newsletter
7.1 NSW : Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation lead nurse in Byala team named 2018 Australian Mental Health Nurse of the Year award late last month.
7.2 NSW : Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Services, awarded a grant from the state government to expand the scope of its National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services
8. SA: From Deadly choices SA Which one is your favourite school guernsey from SAASTA Carnival at Alberton Oval?
9. Tas : Staying cool and safe in Tasmania
How to submit in 2019 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 Thursday /Friday
1.1 National : In 2018–19, NACCHO and the RACGP are working on further initiatives and we want your input!
Survey until 15 Feb 2019 : To participate in a short survey, please CLICK HERE
Please tell us your ideas for
-improving quality of 715 health checks
-clinical software -implementation of the National Guide
-culturally responsive healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
1.2. National : Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) supports NACCHO and Uluru Statement from the Heart
See all NACCHO Media coverage HERE
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has endorsed the historic Uluru Statement from the Heart, which calls for a First Nations Voice to be enshrined in the Constitution and for a Makarrata Commission as a process for agreement making and truth telling.
PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman said PSA was proud to add its voice to the call for recognition of the First Peoples of Australia in the Constitution.
“PSA is committed to ongoing work to support the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We support the Uluru Statement from the Heart’s call for constitutional reforms to empower people to have their views heard in relation to making laws and policies that affect their lives.
“We are proud to add our voice to this movement for a better future.”
Generational disadvantage continues to have a detrimental impact on the physical and mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“As the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA has long advocated for closing the gap by supporting pharmacists to play an active role in improving medication management for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Dr Freeman said.
“Pharmacists must work collaboratively with Aboriginal Health Organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
PSA is collaborating with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) on the Integrating Pharmacists within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to Improve Chronic Disease Management (IPAC) trial.
This pioneering project aims to improve chronic disease management by embedding pharmacists within Aboriginal Health Services.
PSA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services Pharmacist Career Pathway provides training and support to help pharmacists working in these services to optimise health for their patients.
PSA will be developing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2019. The RAP will underpin the work PSA does with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and support members and staff to provide culturally safe workplaces and service
This weeks featured ACCHO good news story
2.1 Congress ACCHO Alice Springs Health Promotion team and Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Program partners with the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) to host a Warrior Run fun run/walk event
On Tuesday evening, Congress Health Promotion and Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Program partnered with the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) to host a Warrior Run fun run/walk event for the Alice Springs community.
Warrior run events are about bringing people of all ages and ability together to run in celebration of the great men in our lives. It is an opportunity to pay tribute to and acknowledge all the strong men in our families and communities, and to recognise the role our father, grandfathers, brothers, uncles, and men in the wider sphere play throughout our lives, in a strong and positive way.
Culturally, men have been seen as the strong protector and provider – the warrior.
However, in recent times, especially in some Aboriginal families and communities, the role, respect and value of men has been eroded and are losing some of their hierarchy, self-respect and significance.
This must change – and the Warrior Run celebrates and highlights the strong, proud and courageous men in our lives.
Despite the 40+ degree heat, the event was a total success, with over 200 ‘warriors’ attending to run or walk the 2km track and show their support for the message while celebrating a healthy lifestyle.
This included members from the wider Alice Springs community, including Aboriginal families, athletic runners, footy clubs and families, young people and children.
IMF ambassador Charlie Maher gave a very moving speech prior to the run’s start, speaking honestly from the heart about his own experiences with mental health – important messages for everyone, but especially the young men in the audience. Charlie works for the Clontarf Academy, and is currently mentoring young Indigenous men and women at Yirara College in Alice Springs.
Congress/Right Tracks’ Sarah Carmody was central to the success of the event, working hard to spread word throughout the community – and running the event seamlessly with help from the deadly Congress Health Promotions team.
Photo above from Damien Ryan
Sarah also shared important messages about health and wellbeing, and the importance of acknowledging the males in our lives.
The Warrior Run event marks a very positive start to another busy and productive 2019 for Congress.
2.2 : NT : Survey Health Literacy Among Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Males in the NT.
The Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Gambling (AODG) Unit at Menzies School of Health Research is leading a research project relating to Health Literacy Among Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Males in the NT.
The aim of this study is to explore the interplay between health literacy, gender (specifically masculinities) and cultural identity among young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males aged 14-24 years living in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia.
Health literacy and gender are critical social determinants of health impacting on the lives of Indigenous people worldwide. Yet, very little is known about how these concepts shape the identities of young Indigenous men. This is a mixed-methods study involving a combination of surveys, yarning sessions and photo-voice methods.
The survey component involves using two survey instruments. Information collected through these surveys has potential to provide practitioners, organizations and governments with insights about health literacy at individual and population levels. In this instance, it will help to better develop and implement health and social services programs for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males.
We are sending the weblink to complete the survey out to our networks over the following few weeks. Please share with all young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males you know.
We are also able to facilitate group sessions (to complete the survey) with organizations that support young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males. If you are interested in a facilitator helping in this way please contact Ben Christie (Menzies) on 0447 414 160.
We have attached an Information Sheet for your reference. Feel free to get in touch if this project would be of interest and you would have some potential groups who would be interested.
All completed surveys are placed into a raffle for an iPad giveaway!
Click Here to Start the Survey
Thank you for your time and feedback. You are helping make us to better develop and implement health and social service programs for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males.
2.3 NT : Katherine West Health ACCHO Board calls for ear checks
Langa infection warning signs are pus coming out of the ear, paining ear, fever or even a green runny nose.
Ear checks at your local Health Centre are quick and easy.
#oneshieldforall
2.4 NT Danila Dilba mobile clinic team put on a BBQ and conducted health checks for kids before school starts, as well as general health checks and STI tests for other community members.
It was a great day out at the community at Knuckeys Lagoon today, with our Danila Dilba mobile clinic going out for the first time this year.
The team put on a BBQ and conducted health checks for kids before school starts, as well as general health checks and STI tests for other community members.Great to see the local community turning out and being able to access healthcare where they live.
Picture above Nathan McLean, Malcolm Laughton, Dr Mark Myerscough, Ahmi Narkle and Patricia Cooper
(L-R) Karina Wilson, Valerie Ganambarr, Sadie Mirlmin, Terry Wilson and Lindsay Watson (child in front) —
3.WA : AHCWA congratulates Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Servicewho have recently passed ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) accreditation: ISO 9001:2015.
OVAHS has successfully achieved independent recognition and Quality Management Certification from the world’s largest developer and publisher of International Standards for the 6th consecutive year.
An effective Quality Management System is what ensures OVAHS services meets a certain level of quality that is reliable, safe, consistent, meets client expectations, continuously improves and complies with the law.
Pictured (L-R) Trish Hill (Medical Records and Reception Manager), Sharon Benning (Deputy CEO), Derek Donohue (Acting Health Operations Manager), Angela Geddes (Acting Clinic Coordinator), Graeme Cooper (CEO), Cuong Luu (Operations Manager),
Absent: Fiona Baines (Health Operations Manager)
4.1 Vic : Mallee District Aboriginal Services
Jobs, events, news and more at MDAS? January 18, 2019 – https://mailchi.mp/d42a547f4e94/whats-new-at-mdas-january-18-1009005
5.Qld : Deadly Choices Workshop in Brisbane attracts over 100 Deadly Choice workers
Warren Snowdon MP with Adrian Carson and Donisha Duff at the Deadly Choices Workshop in Brisbane this week.
The Workshop is great with over 100 Deadly Choice workers from across QLD attending.
It is a terrific programme which is leading the way in preventative health for First Nations people not only in QLD, but now also in the NT, SA, NSW and Vic.
All thanks to the leadership from the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health based in Brisbane.
5.2 All the News from the Apunipima ACCHO mob on Cape York
|
Coen Men’s Group |
 |
|
Last week the Men’s Group in Coen met for the first time in 2019. Planning is underway for events and activities for the coming year. Congratulations to the Apunipima team at the Wellbeing Centre in Coen for fostering a vibrant and enthusiastic Men’s Group. |
|
Learning and Development Update CERT IV – Phlebotomy Training
Clara Salah, Tackling Indigenous Smoking Health Worker, is currently completing her Certificate IV In Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Care Practice. As part of that training Clara is required to become a proficient Phlebotomist. Perfecting the skill of blood collection is not as easy as it sounds and requires a lot of hands on practice. Clara was able to spend a full working week with Sullivan and Nicolaides across multiple sites in Cairns. Throughout the week, Clara was partnered with a Clinical Educator who provided direct supervision. The ability to complete the training in Cairns with Sullivan and Nicolaides provides Apunipima staff with a cost effective way to complete training while exposing them to a wide variety of patients. |
||||
|
Integrated Team Care
Apunipima’s Integrated Team Care (ITC) Program helps Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people who have a chronic disease to better manage their health through the provision of a Care Coordinator. Your Care Coordinator will work closely with you, your doctor and other community services to help you access the care you need. The ITC Program and the services of the Care Coordinator are free. Who can Access the ITC Program? The ITC Program is open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people who:
What is the next step? To access the service clients will need to have a current Care Plan, along with an ITC referral and an ITC consent form. The client’s GP can organise this. Once Apunipima receive the paperwork, our Care Coordinator will be in touch with the client or their Health Worker. |
6.ACT : Winnunga Nimmityjah (Strong Health) Aboriginal Health and Community Services Newsletter
Download the Winnunga ACCHO Newsletter
winnunga ahcs newsletter december 2018
7.1 NSW : Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation lead nurse in Byala team named 2018 Australian Mental Health Nurse of the Year award late last month.
Matthew James knows all too well about the challenges that mental health can bring.
Mr James has assisted Macarthur’s Indigenous population as a mental health practisioner at the Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation for the past year.
The nurse leads Tharawal’s Byala team, which supports people struggling with mental health issues, or drug and alcohol-related problems.
Byala means “Let’s talk” in the local Dharawal Aboriginal language.
Mr James was rewarded for his dedication to the cause when he was named 2018 Australian Mental Health Nurse of the Year award late last month.
The Orangeville resident said he was nominated for the award by a Thawaral colleague.
“I’m stoked, it was really nice to get recognition at a national level,” he said.
Matthew always makes people feel comfortable… he is amazing.
Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation team manager Tina Taylor
He received the honour at an Australian College of Mental Health Nurses seminar in Cairns.
Mr James, who has more than 20 years of industry experience, joined the Tharawal team in October 2017.
He said his role included providing counselling, diagnosis reviews and medication for Indigenous people
“There is a huge amount of disadvantage here in Macarthur and there are challenges, such as helping people with trauma issues,” he said.
Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation was formed in 1983 to provide medical and community health services to Indigenous people.
Mr James said Tharawal did a great job supporting Macarthur’s Indigenous community.
“Tharawal offers the leading Aboriginal health service in Australia,” he said.
“I am very proud of our work.”
Tharawal’s social and emotional well-being team manager Tina Taylor said Mr James was a great leader and compassionate with his clients.
“Matthew has brought a whole new dynamic to the team,” Ms Taylor said.
“He always makes people feel comfortable… he is amazing.”
For more information about these services, visit the Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation Airds Facebook page.
7.2 NSW : Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Services, awarded a grant from the state government to expand the scope of its National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services
Local Aboriginal health service provider, Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Services, has been awarded a grant from the state government to expand the scope of its National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services to Aboriginal people with a disability on the Central Coast, Darkinjung Country.
The $630,000 grant, provided by the NSW Department of Industry under the Making It Our Business program, will enable Yerin to offer increased disability support to the Coast’s Aboriginal community.
Yerin’s current disability services program, Muru Bara (Making Pathways), connects existing NDIS participants with information and assistance to help them access culturally responsive NDIS services.
As a registered NDIS provider, the grant will enable Yerin to build upon its existing program and establish an NDIS support team that will engage with community to increase NDIS participation and work to develop culturally responsive NDIS plans.
According to the latest NDIS Quarterly Report, Aboriginal people make up 5.4% of NDIS participants1, however this statistic does not reflect the number of Aboriginal people who are in need of disability support. The 2014-15 Australian Bureau of Statistics’ National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey revealed that almost half (45%) of Aboriginal people are living with a disability or long term-health condition2. Coupled with the fact that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience higher rates of disability than non-Indigenous people across all age groups3, it is clear that the community is in need of greater support.
Yerin Eleanor Duncan’s Chief Executive Officer, Belinda Field, said the funding will help the Aboriginal community-controlled organisation increase partnerships and choices for the community.
“This grant will allow Yerin Eleanor Duncan to address gaps that may have previously prevented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from accessing culturally responsive NDIS services on the Central Coast,” Ms Field said.
“The team at Yerin will do this by helping participants to develop individual NDIS plans that are culturally responsive and by providing support to carers and their families,” she concluded.
Yerin services the local Aboriginal community by providing holistic primary health care, including GP, early childhood, chronic disease and mental health services. The organisation recently expanded its service offering with the opening of astate-of-the-art dental clinic and the launch of culturally responsive Out of Home Care services with the Ngaliya (We – You & I) Permanency Support Program, which aims to place Aboriginal children with Aboriginal foster carers.
