• National Own It Cervical Screening Campaign talent callout
• Indigenous people waiting longer for elective surgery in ACT
• New transitional facility in NSW enhances hopes of women in recovery
• Durri Aboriginal Medical Service receives iPads for patients’ well-being
• How initiatives like WSLHD’s Byala speech pathology clinic are Closing the Gap in paediatrician and speech pathology care
• Bridging cultures while improving dental health
• Sector Jobs

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is a platform we use to showcase the important work being done in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, focusing on the work of NACCHO, NACCHO members and NACCHO affiliates.

We also share a curated selection of news stories that are of likely interest to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, broadly.

National Own It Cervical Screening Campaign talent callout

The National Own It Cervical Screening Campaign aims to communicate the importance of cervical screening and the availability and the efficacy of the self-collect test. It encourages women and people with a cervix aged 25-74 years, particularly those from First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, to have a cervical screen. The campaign will also raise awareness about the importance of the screening and the availability of the self-collection option.

We are seeking a diverse group of women and people who have a cervix aged 25-74 years to share your cervical screening journey to motivate others to get screened.

Requirements:

• Camera-confidence and energy. A comfortability discussing sexual health and cervical screening.
• Comfortable working with a film crew, taking direction, and conveying emotions and expressions.
• People who have completed a Cervical Screening Test are desirable, but not mandatory.

What’s in it for you:

• You will be participating in making a positive impact towards raising the health awareness of all women and people with a cervix!
• You will receive $800 to compensate for your time (half a day) and effort. This amount will be directly deposited into your bank account. Your travel and accommodation expenses (if applicable) to Sydney for filming will also be reimbursed.
• You will be featured across multiple advertising channels and appear in print advertising in both metropolitan and regional areas across Australia.

The campaign is being developed by ACON in partnership with the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative an initiative of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), and Cultural Perspectives.

The national Own It campaign is planned to launch September 2024 and will run through 2025.

For more information visit the ACON website here.

Indigenous people waiting longer for elective surgery in ACT

Across Australia, Aboriginal people wait longer for elective surgery compared to other Australians, as measured by median (50th percentile) wait times. On that measure, while the ACT is not unique, it does not have the challenges in service provision that remote communities, in the states and the NT, with sizeable remote Aboriginal populations, face. In theory, there should be no discernible difference in the ACT in access between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples given its geographic compactness and urban population.

In 2021-22, the median wait time for elective surgery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT was 50 days compared to 43 days for other Australians, a 16% longer wait for First Nations people. In 2022-23, wait times for Aboriginal people in the ACT were 24% longer than for non-Aboriginal people, while nationally it dropped to 14%. VIC was the only jurisdiction in which the variance in median wait times for Aboriginal people awaiting surgery compared to non-Aboriginal people was larger than in the ACT.

The Productivity Commission report also shows that compared to non-Aboriginal people, in the emergency department, Aboriginal Canberrans are 1.6 times more likely not to wait, 2.2 times more likely to leave at their own risk, and 2.8 times more likely to discharge themselves against medical advice.

To read the full article, go here.

New transitional facility in NSW enhances hopes of women in recovery

A new First Nations-owned $9 million transition facility on Darkinjung Country in NSW will further empower rehabilitated Indigenous women to have meaningful impacts on their return to community. Located in Wyong the new accommodation space can safely house 40 Indigenous and non-Indigenous women each year transitioning from residential programs at The Glen for Women Rehabilitation Centre. The new female-only transition facility will provide a safe housing space for women to obtain job-skills training, seek employment opportunities and receive essential social support services as they transition back into the community.

One former resident said the comfort of knowing a transition house was now available for women in recovery gave them renewed hope of making meaningful returns from addiction to lead better, healthier lives.

“I’m comforted knowing other women will be given the opportunity to live a life free from addiction, and go home healthy to their families,” the ex-resident said.

Cultural dance and education, significant site visits, meetings with Elders, traditional cooking, artistic pursuits, storytelling and craftsmanship are some holistic elements of the new program. Emphasis on the womens’ connection to land, ancestry and Indigenous identity also aims to embed a sense of familial and communal belonging. Participants can also draw inspiration and behavioural learnings by talking with Elders and Indigenous workers who have overcome substance abuse problems and share their lived experiences of recovery and reintegration.

Read the full National Indigenous Times article here.

Durri Aboriginal Medical Service receives iPads for patients’ well-being

Staff from Deadly Science, Optus, and Learning the Macleay have recently handed over three iPads to the Durri Aboriginal Medical Service in West Kempsey to assist elderly patients in staying connected to their families while undergoing medical treatment at the hospital.

The initiative originated from a conversation earlier in the year between Norma Kelly from Durri AMS and Corey Tutt from Deadly Science at the Culture in the Park event in Kempsey. Kelly expressed concerns about the mental well-being of patients undergoing dialysis, a treatment that can last for hours each week.

“These iPads will have a significant impact on the lives of our patients undergoing dialysis treatment,” said Tony McMahon, Clinical Team Leader at Durri Chronic Care in West Kempsey.

“They are required to spend extended time each week with us, and the opportunity to stay connected while they are doing so will have a positive impact on their mental and physical health.”

Read more here.

How initiatives like WSLHD’s Byala speech pathology clinic are Closing the Gap in paediatrician and speech pathology care

The Aboriginal Health Hub is home to programs dedicated to providing culturally appropriate, familiar and high-quality healthcare services, addressing the healthcare needs of the local community. One new initiative is the speech pathology clinic named “Byala” which has been established to provide timely and culturally appropriate speech pathology services for Indigenous children.

WSLHD Speech Pathologists Narelle Ferris-Smith and Angela Stankovska highlighted the clinic’s focus on early childhood development and support services, aiming to support families and children in their early developmental stages.

By offering individual therapy sessions and early language playgroups, the clinic aims to address language and speech delays in Aboriginal children. Early intervention is crucial in closing the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children, setting them on the right track for future success.

By operating within the community, the clinic becomes an extension of the existing support network, tapping into cultural knowledge and community resources to empower families to take charge of their children’s healthcare.

“What we provide in the Aboriginal Health Hub is so special because we can work holistically with all the other health professionals to ensure that we’re able to not just provide our service but we can identify any other needs for the family,” said Angela Stankovska, WSLHD Speech Pathologist.

To read the full article, go here.

Bridging cultures while improving dental health

For Flight Lieutenant Maryam Ferooz, storytelling proved to be a bridge between two cultures in supporting improved dental health. As a dental officer in 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron, Ferooz led a team providing dental care and training to remote First Nations peoples in Derby near RAAF Base Curtin, WA.

“Some patients have to travel hundreds of kilometres to get to Derby, and when there isn’t a dentist they face an even larger, and more expensive, commute to Broome,” Ms Ferooz said

“Not everyone can afford the travel, nor do they want to be so far from home, especially for things they dismiss as ‘just a toothache.”

Ferooz first found it challenging to communicate with the patients about their dental concerns.

“Working with our Indigenous Liaison Officers, I started to change how I asked questions, and I found it made a significant difference in how open people were with me,” she said.

“For example, I found that using the word ‘hurt’ instead of ‘pain’ helped people share their needs.”

She also reflected on how her own cultural heritage helped her engage with First Nations communities in a more meaningful way.

“Sometimes, rather than answering my question directly, people would tell me a story, which might reference a family member or anecdote,” she said.

“In Persian culture, storytelling is often passed through generations, weaving narratives that embody the essence of our identity. Similarly, among Indigenous Australians, songlines are integral to cultural heritage and passing knowledge.”

To read the full article, go here.

Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.

Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click here to go to the NACCHO website current job listings webpage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find a Post A Job form. You can complete this form with your job vacancy details – it will then be approved for posting and go live on the NACCHO website.