9 October 2024

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.

2024 NACCHO Members’ Conference registrations now open!

Registrations for the 2024 NACCHO Conference are now open – Register Here

This year’s event is being held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra, Ngunnawal and Ngambri country, and the program will include the NACCHO Men’s Health Day, National Youth Conference, the NACCHO AGM and our two-day members conference.

Dates:

  • Sunday 1 December: Men’s Health Day – this is a free event open to males (18+) working in ACCHOs or involved with the ACCH Sector.
  • Monday 2 December: Youth Conference – to register for this, you must be between the ages of 18 and 26. This is a free event which includes complimentary entry to the Members’ Conference for the first 100 Youth registrants.
  • Tuesday 3 December: AGM and possible EGM
  • Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December: NACCHO Members’ Conference

The fees for the Members’ Conference are:

  • Early Bird Special – register before 9 November 2024 – $1,200 plus GST
  • Normal Registration Fee – register between 10 November and 22 November 2024 – $1,300 plus GST
  • Late Registration – registrations received from 23 November 2024 – $1,500 plus GST

The fees above include complimentary admission to the Karaoke Dinner on Wednesday, 4 December 2024. The dress theme for Karaoke is the 1980’s including Country and Western.

Please contact conference@naccho.org.au if you have any questions.

For more information, go here.

Registrations for the 2024 NACCHO Conference are now open

Skin health study slashes infections among children in remote Kimberley communities

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in remote communities have some of the highest rates of skin infections in the world. But a landmark skin health study says it has halved the infection rate. The trial followed 915 children and conducted 3,084 skin checks over a four-year period. It was led by The Kids Research Institute Australia, in partnership with Aboriginal health organisations and nine communities in WA’s Kimberley region.

The research findings have been published today in peer-reviewed journals, The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health and eClinicalMedicine.

When the project began in 2018, the rate of skin infections was close to 40% among the children who took part. By the end of the trial, this had been reduced to 20%. However, both reports noted the decline in impetigo and scabies could not be directly attributed to the SToP program.

To read the full article, go here.

The SToP program aimed to tackled skin infections among Indigenous children. (Reuters: Jaimi Joy).

Immunisation practice in Primary Healthcare

VACCHO and Benchmarque Group have worked together to create culturally safe immunisation training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners. It’s the first training of its kind – and will help increase Mob immunisation rates.

This workshop is:

  • Available for Victorian AHPRA-registered Aboriginal Health Practitioners
  • Undertaken over 5 consecutive days
  • Delivered face-to-face
  • Led by highly experienced trainers
  • Practical, hands-on and immersive.

VACCHO and Benchmarque Group – with support from the Department of Health – are offering 70 Victorian AHPRA registered Aboriginal Health Practitioners (AHP) the chance to enhance their immunisation skills – at no extra cost.

To register, go here.

Image source: VACCHO.

Hoop Dreams in the NT expands to Wangkatjungka

Hoop Dreams in the NT is a House of Darwin initiative that work to refurbish basketball courts in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities around Australia. The project aims to promote positive health and social and emotional wellbeing outcomes by refreshing basketball courts using a design created through community collaboration.

Funded by Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia and Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS), the community of Wangkatjungka was identified as in need of updated and improved facilities, with Wangkatjungka being selected as the fifth community to take part in the Hoop Dreams initiative.

The Wangkatjungka Community Court refurbishment project is set to be completed by Friday 11 October and will foster a culturally safe and inviting space for the local community.

Learn more here.

Image source: House of Darwin.

Chronic kidney disease webinar

Health professionals are invited to Kidney Health Australia’s Progressive Chronic Kidney Disease webinar on Tuesday 29 October, 7.30pm AEDT.

Late referral is common because 90% of kidney function can be lost before people experience symptoms. Sadly, 17% of people commence dialysis within 90 days of being referred to a kidney service.

A/Prof Ivor Katz (Nephrologist, St George Hospital, Sydney) and Dr Gary Chang (General Practitioner, Brisbane), will demonstrate how multiple morbidities can distract from noticing the clinical signs of CKD in this real-life deidentified case. How to manage CKD to slow progression in a complex presentation will be explored along with, when to refer to a nephrologist, and kidney failure treatment options. This webinar unpacks Chapter 5 of the Chronic Kidney Disease Management in Primary Care 5th handbook, Progressive CKD, and more.

To register, go here.

Image source: Kidney Health Australia.

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