• Lung cancer, fifth most common cancer
• ACT mob hit hard by COVID-19
• Genuine COVID-19 concerns for SA mob
• Medicare to cover case conferencing
• Us Mob and HIV
• Unique addiction-breaking prison program
• Innovative aged care workforce solutions
• New process for job advertising
• Save the Date

Lung cancer, fifth more common cancer

CANCER Council WA is using November’s Lung Cancer Awareness Month to remind those living in regional WA of the symptoms of lung cancer and what to do if they notice any unusual changes to their body. It’s important to visit your doctor, clinic nurse or Aboriginal health worker right away if you experience any symptoms.

If you’ve coughed up blood or had a long-standing cough that worsens or changes, repeated chest infections, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite or persistent chest or shoulder pain, then it’s important to get it investigated. It doesn’t mean you’ve got cancer, often it turns out to be something less serious, though it’s critical to have the symptoms investigated early to be sure.

Remember, the chances of successful treatment are much higher when cancer is found early. Lung cancer was the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2017 and the most common cause of cancer death in 2019 according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data. In WA in 2018, 1,155 people were diagnosed with lung cancer and 752 people died from it.80% of lung cancers in Australia are caused by smoking.

To view the article in full click here.

ACT mob hit hard by COVID-19

There have now been 197 cases in the ACT’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community during the latest outbreak. 11% of all cases in the ACT during this outbreak have identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith acknowledged that the COVID-19 outbreak has had a disproportionate effect on the ACT’s Indigenous community. She noted the ACT Government is working with community partners, including Winnunga Nimmityjah, Gugan Gulwan and Yeddung Mura to enable culturally responsive support for the community.

CEO of Winnunga Nimmityjah, Julie Tongs, said the Aboriginal health service no longer requires appointments for vaccination. “You can just come in to Winnunga whenever you can,” Ms Tongs said. “Getting our mob vaccinated is now the most important thing we can do to protect our families and community. Remember that vaccination prevents serious illness related to COVID-19.”

To view the Canberra Weekly article in full click here.

Genuine COVID-19 concerns for SA mob

Less than 40% of SA’s Aboriginal population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the latest data, prompting calls for greater protection of remote communities when the state reopens its borders in three weeks. Federal government figures show that as of last Tuesday, only 37.8% of Aboriginal people in the state over the age of 15 are fully vaccinated, while 51.3% have received a first dose.

Flinders University senior lecturer and epidemiologist Dr Emma Miller said lagging Indigenous jab rates came down to three “compounding” issues: low socioeconomic status, lack of resources and cultural sensitivity. Miller said the vaccination disparity echoes similar inequalities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in health outcomes for chronic illnesses such as diabetes.

To view the INDAILY article in full click here.

Medicare to cover case conferencing

New Medicare items will encourage eligible health providers to work together more closely to support the health of vulnerable Australians. Allied health professionals will – for the first time – be reimbursed through Medicare for taking part in case conferences to support people with chronic diseases or young children with developmental disorders like autism.

$13.7 million has been committed in the 2021–22 Budget to create the new Medicare items – in response to recommendations to the MBS Review – which will also increase the number of doctor-led multidisciplinary case conferences in primary care.

Under the change, allied health professionals will be paid to attend multidisciplinary conferences held by the patient’s regular doctor – in person, via video conference or phone –to discuss diagnosis, care and treatment plans.

To view Minister Hunt’s media release in full click here.

Us Mob and HIV

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) has just launched the ‘Us Mob and HIV’ website. Us Mob & HIV began as a health promotion resource (pocket-sized booklet for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, produced by the AFAO, with the aim of increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s knowledge about HIV and its impacts.

The booklet provides basic information on HIV, focusing on HIV testing, transmission, prevention, HIV treatments, health monitoring, care and support available for people with HIV, as well as service contact details. Information on HIV treatments, testing and other topics has been updated for the latest edition and importantly, it provides a clear explanation of the concept of undetectable viral load.

The booklet includes a series of ‘yarns’ written by community members, designed to reinforce and personalise key health messages. Information is also communicated in visual form.

To access the Us Mob and HIV website click here.

Unique addiction-breaking prison program

52 prisoners have graduated from a unique new rehabilitation program at Casuarina Prison, designed to break the cycle of addiction to alcohol and other drugs that so often leads to criminal behaviour. The nine-month program, called Solid Steps, was developed by the Department of Justice in conjunction with external service providers the Palmerston Association and Wungening Aboriginal Corporation. It is the first residential alcohol and other drug rehabilitation program to be delivered in an adult male prison in WA.

Department of Justice Director General, Dr Adam Tomison, said breaking the cycle of addiction is critical to improving community safety in the longer term, “The program is based on a culturally safe, modified therapeutic community model. It also strengthens connection to self, family, culture and community.”

To view the media release about the program click here.

Innovative aged care workforce solutions

In an ageing society, there are increasing demands for personal care workers as well as an existing shortage of personal care workers. How do we address this dilemma to ensure quality care can be accessed by all who need it? What can be done to encourage and then retain people in personal care jobs in regional and remote areas? How can we make personal care a destination career instead of framing these important roles as steppingstones to vertical career progression?

A collaborative workshop is being held from 13:00 PM – 14:00 PM Wednesday 17 November 2021 where attendees and speakers will work together to share their insights and collaborate on ideas to develop solutions to address these concerns. The aim of the workshop is to create a statement that could be used as the basis for a future roadmap for what needs to happen to attract, keep and adequately value personal carers.

You can register for the workshop here.

New process for job advertising

NACCHO have introduced a new system for the advertising of job adverts via the NACCHO website and you can find the sector job listings here.

Click here to go to the NACCHO website where you can complete a form with job vacancy details – it will then be approved for posting and go live on the NACCHO website.

COVID-19 vaccine update for GPs webinar

The latest in the Australian Government Department of Health’s series of COVID-19 vaccine updates for GPs webinar will be held from: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM (AEST) tomorrow, Thursday 4 November 2021.

At this webinar, you’ll be provided with the latest information on the vaccine rollout. GPs and all health professionals are welcome. Dr Lucas de Toca, First Assistant Secretary, COVID-19 Primary Care Response, Department of Health will chair the session tomorrow and will be joined by guest panelists Dr Sonya Bennett, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health and Dr Tanya Robertson, GP, Yarralumla Surgery, Canberra.

When you’re ready to join, use this link. The webinar will have live captioning and be available to view on-demand via the same link within a few hours of the live stream ending.

National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week

This year’s National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week will be held 8-14 November 2021. The disruptions of the past 2 years have impacted people’s ability to access healthcare and the battle to stay up to date with cancer screenings continues. An awareness raising campaign for 2021, will again remind women that it is “Time to Catch Up” with their cervical screening. In 2020, The World Health Organisation launched the Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer by 2028.

For more information about National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week click here.