- Our Sector has got the pandemic by the horns
- Durri AMS rebuild getting back on track
- $25 million for safe use of medicines
- TGA rules prescription required for e-cigarettes
- Funding to protect Victorian mental health and AOD services
- Funding for Victorian family violence sector
- Extra $13 million for community nursing
- ACCHO gambling research webinar
- National youth survey report released
- Job Alerts
- Save the Date
Our Sector has got the pandemic ‘by the horns’
Enlisting local initiatives, networks and the lessons of the past, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services were quick off the mark when coronavirus came. Their success to date is a powerful testimony to the importance of Indigenous leadership in narrowing the health gap, experts say.
“We have the basic infrastructure, and probably one of the best primary healthcare models in the world, some of the best public health experts in the world,” says Dr Mark Wenitong, a longtime health officer on Cape York. “The ‘vulnerability’ of our remote communities is much more related to longstanding under-investment in health infrastructure than our people as individuals. Don’t discount us as major players in the Australian health system.”
To view the full article in The Citizen click here.
The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service in Fitzroy. Image source: The Citizen.
Durri ACMS rebuild getting back on track
The $5.6 million rebuild of the Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service (ACMS) in Kempsey is getting back on track after progress was delayed by nine months due to staffing issues. The work is expected to start in February 2021 with a temporary medical centre to be set up at Kempsey District Hospital. The rebuild will feature modern facilities focused on key Indigenous health needs, including neonatal, chronic illness and mental health care.
To view the ABC News article relating to the rebuild click here.
Image source: ABC News.
$25 million for safe use of medicines
The federal government has announced a $25 million investment in a Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) for research to improve the safe use of medicines and medicines intervention by pharmacists.
“The new Quality, Safety and Effectiveness of Medicine Use and Medicine Intervention by Pharmacists MRFF Grant Opportunity will support the Quality Use of Medicine and Medicine Safety National Health Priority, and is part of the Government’s significant ongoing investments aimed at improving access to medicines and the safe use of medicines in the community. On World Pharmacists Day, our Government acknowledges the outstanding work of Australia’s pharmacists and pharmacy staff in communities across the nation.”
To read the Minister for Health, Greg Hunt’s media release click here.
Image source: The Guardian.
TGA rules prescription required for e-cigarettes
Young Australians will be protected by the interim decision of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to ensure that e-cigarettes and vaping fluids containing nicotine are only available on prescription, Australian Medical Association (AMA) President, Dr Omar Khorshid, said today. “The TGA has recognised the significant risks that come with using e-cigarettes, and the lack of evidence for their role as a quit smoking aid,” Dr Khorshid said.
To view the AMA media release click here.
Image source: Curtin University news and events.
Funding to protect Victorian mental health and AOD services
The Victorian Government has announced an additional $21 million in funding to ensure mental health and alcohol and other drugs services, including Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations have increased COVID-19 safe protections in place.
To view the media release click here.
Image source: Alcohol Rehab Guide.
Funding for Victorian Aboriginal Family Violence sector
The Victorian Government is boosting Aboriginal-led family violence prevention and responses so that more Aboriginal Victorians can access culturally sensitive support when and where they need it. $18.2 million will be made available to Aboriginal organisations and community groups through the Dhelk Dja Family Violence Fund to provide culturally appropriate responses for both victim survivors and those using or at risk of using violence in the home, including emergency support, family counselling and behaviour change support. Organisations and community groups will be granted funding over two years, giving them more certainty in planning how they deliver family violence services that are tailored to the needs of their communities.
To view the media release click here.
Image source: NITV website.
Extra $13 million for community nursing
The Commonwealth government has allocated an additional $13 million for community nursing to provide remote health professional accessibility to instruction, services and mental health care. An additional $8 million will be supplied to assist employment opportunities for nurses in primary healthcare.
For more information on the $13 million funding click here.
Image source: Queensland Health.
ACCHO gambling research webinar
Mallee District Aboriginal Services and Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Services, in collaboration with La Trobe University have conducted two exploratory studies on gambling. 50 Aboriginal people in regional Victoria were interviewed to identify benefits and harms associated with gambling and what community members thought should be done in response. Using social practice theory, findings of the research will be presented and some of the interventions recommended by research participants will be outlined in a free webinar to be presented by Darlene Thomas, Mallee District Aboriginal Services and Sarah MacLean, La Trobe University on Wednesday 20 September from 12.30–1.30 pm.
To register for the webinar click here.
National youth survey report released
Mission Australia has released its National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth Report: Youth Survey 2019. This report draws on the findings of its Youth Survey 2019 and highlights the views, concerns, experiences and aspirations of 25,126 young people, 1,578 of whom identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. In response to the findings, the report also provides a range of recommendations.
For more information, please read the media release, report and infographic.
Image source: Mission Australia website.
QLD – Cairns – Wuchopperen Health Service Ltd
FT Deputy Chief Executive Officer
An exciting opportunity is available for the position of Deputy Chief Executive Officer in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service based in Cairns.
This full-time, permanent position is responsible for the strategic leadership, direction, management and coordination of the portfolio of Deputy Chief Executive Officer, including the areas of Health Services and Service Integration.
To view the position statement click here. Applications close 5.00 pm Monday 5 October 2020.
VIC – Shepparton – Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd.
FT Woongi Social and Emotional Wellbeing Program Manager x 1
The Woongi SEWB Program Manager is responsible for managing and delivering on the key objectives of the Woongi service.
The successful applicant will provide leadership and utilise effective work practices that enhance the operation, planning and delivery of culturally appropriate, community based, Alcohol & Other Drugs (AOD) and Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB), Bringing Them Home Re-connections and Traditional Healing Services including early intervention and prevention.
FT Woongi Social and Emotional Wellbeing Group Programs Coordinator x 1
The SEWB Group Programs Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the delivery of a structured program of evidence informed SEWB groups (cultural, healing, recovery and rehabilitation) for clients, families and the broader community, impacted by AOD misuse and/or mental health.
To view the position descriptions for the above vacancies click here. Applications close at 4.00 pm on Friday, 9 October 2020.
National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs (NCCRED) virtual symposium
Innovations in therapeutic practice for methamphetamine use disorder
The 2020 symposium will focus on innovations in therapeutic practice for methamphetamine disorder. The symposium brings together leading national researchers, including presentations from recipients of NCCRED’s Round 2 Seed Funding Program. Recipients will share the most up-to-date aspects of their work and research around methamphetamine and emerging drug use.
11am Friday 20 November 2020
For more details regarding the symposium click here.
Image source: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.