• Mental Health Month – Social and Emotional Wellbeing Resources and Information
• New Health Centre Opens in Jabiru, Enhancing Access to Care for West Arnhem Communities
• Expansion of Deadly Choices Program Aims to Boost Health Outcomes for First Nations People
• Essential Health and Aged Care Updates for Aboriginal Communities
• Lessons from the 2021 COVID-19 Outbreak in Remote First Nations Communities in Queensland
• Sector Jobs

The NACCHO Sector 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.

Mental Health Month
Connection. Strength. Resilience: Social and Emotional Wellbeing Resources and Information

Mental Health Month is a powerful opportunity for our communities to reflect on our mental health and wellbeing. This October’s theme, “Let’s Talk About It,” is a call to action for us to have open, honest conversations about mental health—whether we’ve faced challenges or not. It’s about recognising the importance of maintaining our mental, physical, and spiritual health, and taking a proactive approach when we or our loved ones need support.

To support approaches to mental health, NACCHO has developed a portal: Connection, Strength, Resilience: Social and Emotional Wellbeing Resources and Information, designed to build and nurture the resilience of our people. These resources have been created by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, ensuring they reflect our unique experiences and strengths. Through the portal, you’ll find culturally safe resources, including fact sheets, apps, videos, and more—all to support the health and wellbeing of our communities.

If you or someone close to you needs support, don’t hesitate to reach out to your nearest Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) or access 24/7 helplines like 13 Yarn or Brother-to-Brother.

This Mental Health Month let’s support each other to a future of resilience and wellbeing.

Our portal is packed with useful tools like fact sheets, apps, videos, and more to help you stay safe and connected. If you, a family member, or a friend need support, remember that help is always available.

You can find your nearest Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) or contact 24/7 helplines like 13 Yarn or Brother-to-Brother to talk it out.

Let’s stay strong, connected, and resilient together.

To learn more, go to our site: Connection. Strength. Resilience.

New Health Centre Opens in Jabiru, Enhancing Access to Care for West Arnhem Communities

A significant milestone has been reached with the opening of a new $20 million health centre in Jabiru, managed by the ACCHO, Red Lily Health Board. This purpose-built facility aims to improve access to medical services for residents of West Arnhem and Kakadu National Park.

The centre includes eight consulting suites, paediatric rooms, a dental surgery, four multipurpose allied health examination rooms, and a dedicated health store. It also features culturally informed spaces such as an external ceremony area and an audiology consulting room, along with essential services like a drive-through ambulance bay and emergency department with resuscitation facilities.

June Nadjamerrek, chairwoman of Red Lily Health Board, highlighted the importance of community consultation in designing the centre to meet specific health needs, particularly in renal and child health care. The facility signifies a successful transition from NT Health management to local control, with the support of the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT).

AMSANT CEO, Dr. John Paterson, emphasised the centre’s role in improving access to primary health services for Aboriginal families and communities in the region. He stressed the necessity of collaboration with governments to ensure remote communities are equipped with the resources needed for quality healthcare that is culturally safe and accessible.

Both Nadjamerrek and Paterson expressed gratitude to the NT government for their commitment to community control and local decision-making, recognising this new health centre as a “clear beacon” of collaboration and progress for the West Arnhem region.

To read more, click here.

Expansion of Deadly Choices Program Aims to Boost Health Outcomes for First Nations People

The Federal Government has announced a $3.5 million expansion of the Deadly Choices preventative care program, designed to enhance health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Managed by the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health, this initiative encourages First Nations communities to participate in annual health checks at local Community Controlled Health Services.

To promote the program, major sporting events such as the Australian Open, basketball, netball, rugby league, and AFL will feature awareness campaigns. First Nations sports stars, including Patty Mills, will leverage their social media platforms to support this health care initiative.

The primary goal of the Deadly Choices program is to increase participation in Medicare-funded health assessments, which are crucial for early detection and treatment of health conditions. The rollout will commence with nine additional Aboriginal and Community Controlled Health Services across New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and Tasmania.

The Medicare Benefits Schedule item 715 health check is specifically designed for the early detection, diagnosis, and intervention of common, treatable conditions that significantly contribute to illness and early mortality among First Nations people. Despite a peak participation rate of 28.8% in 2018-19, there has been a decline over the past three years. Although recent trends indicate some positive movement, the overall number of First Nations individuals receiving health checks remains low.

To read more, click here.

Essential Health and Aged Care Updates for Aboriginal Communities

In the latest edition of The Zap, key health news affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is highlighted, along with important consultations you can engage in.

New Healthcare Proposals
One notable proposal discussed is the introduction of a system to publish all medical specialists’ fees on the Government’s Medical Cost Finder website. This will allow families to compare costs and make informed decisions about their healthcare. There’s also a plan for an independent website specifically for dental fees, promoting transparency and choice in dental care.

Exciting Developments in Aboriginal Health Services
The expansion of the Deadly Choices program is a significant move aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles and tackling smoking within our communities. Additionally, the new Jabiru Health Centre in the Northern Territory has officially opened. This centre is expected to greatly enhance access to primary health services for Aboriginal families in the remote West Arnhem region.

Rising Healthcare Costs and Financial Strain
Recent data shows that many Australians are using their superannuation to cover health costs, raising concerns about financial stability during retirement. The Australian Taxation Office reported that over $730 million was withdrawn for health expenses, a dramatic increase since 2018. Advocacy groups are calling for stricter regulations and better consumer education to prevent families from making such difficult choices.

Focus on Mental Health and Well-being
Reports indicate that mental health issues are increasingly prominent in-patient consultations. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is advocating for increased Medicare rebates for mental health services to alleviate financial pressure on patients.

Community Involvement in Consultations Several consultations are currently open, including one addressing misinformation in health. It’s crucial for community voices to be heard, so make sure to provide your input before the deadlines.

Join the Conversation
These topics are vital for the health and well-being of our communities. Engage with the consultations, stay informed about your health options, and take part in discussions that shape the future of healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

 To read more, click here.

Lessons from the 2021 COVID-19 Outbreak in Remote First Nations Communities in Queensland

As we continue to navigate the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, there are valuable lessons to be learned from the experiences of six remote First Nations communities in Queensland—Badu Island, Cherbourg, Lockhart River, Palm Island, Woorabinda, and Yarrabah. These communities collaborated with local councils, health services, and public health units to provide effective case management and community support during the initial COVID-19 Omicron waves in 2021.

A key takeaway from the response across all six communities was the strength of community-led approaches. These approaches prioritized self-determination, with local leadership, community-controlled health services, and public health units working together to create tailored solutions. This collaborative effort extended from early pandemic planning and the vaccination rollout to managing COVID-19 outbreaks, showcasing the pivotal role of community ownership in public health.

In particular, First Nations health workers played a critical role in vaccinating, testing, and supporting those with COVID-19, helping to overcome the workforce shortages in these remote areas. Their leadership was a cornerstone of the successful response, echoing similar strategies used in Indigenous communities in New Zealand and Canada. This highlights the importance of First Nations leadership in public health, not just for COVID-19, but for future health policies.

Overcrowded housing posed a significant challenge, exacerbating the risk of COVID-19 transmission and making quarantine difficult. Many homes faced issues such as inadequate space and insufficient resources like food, medicine, and electricity. This is particularly concerning as First Nations people are 3.7 times more likely to live in overcrowded conditions than non-Indigenous Australians. The high rates of overcrowding are linked to poor health outcomes and hinder efforts to control infectious diseases. Addressing this issue is crucial to improving overall health, as outlined in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which targets 88% of First Nations people living in non-overcrowded housing by 2031.

Another key factor in the successful management of COVID-19 in these communities was the availability of point-of-care PCR testing. Communities with access to this testing technology saw faster turnaround times for results, enabling quicker isolation and reducing transmission risks. Expanding access to point-of-care testing remains essential for managing infectious diseases in remote areas, beyond COVID-19.

Additionally, these communities made effective use of digital health systems, including telehealth, to manage the outbreak. Digital platforms such as NOCS (for recording cases and contacts), AIR (for tracking immunisations), and local electronic medical records helped identify vulnerable individuals and streamline care. Moving forward, strengthening digital health ecosystems and workforce training will be key to optimising health care delivery in remote First Nations communities.

Finally, the 2021 COVID-19 response in these Queensland First Nations communities offers a powerful model of community-led, collaborative public health action. The importance of local leadership, addressing housing challenges, and enhancing digital health capabilities will remain central to improving health outcomes in remote areas.

To read more, click 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.