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.
As Black families worry for their kids, new research shows the importance of culturally safe care
New research from headspace reveals that a majority of First Nation families are highly concerned for their young people’s mental well-being, a rate significantly higher than the general population. This concern is amplified by experiences like Kadijah McPherson-Jabateh’s, who found existing mental health systems to be ill-equipped and even oppressive for Black people, citing a lack of cultural understanding and First Nations staff.
Despite higher rates of community discussion about mental health among First Nations families, these conversations aren’t leading to increased professional help-seeking. Jacara Egan of headspace emphasizes the critical need for culturally safe and responsive services to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals receive understanding and support when they bravely seek help.
Kadijah McPherson encountered problematic assumptions about their family life when seeking mental health support as a child.
PhD opportunities based with Onemda Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing
Please see two exciting PhD opportunities based with Onemda Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing at the University of Melbourne.
Research Degree Opportunity: Fostering a healthy start to life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families
Relighting the Firesticks is a community-based participatory research project. This research is based on our learnings and evidence from the pilot project, Healing the Past by Nurturing the Future (HPNF), and the scale up…
PhD Scholarship Opportunity – Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Onemda – In Partnership with Nairm Marr Djambana
The Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Onemda (School of Population and Global Health), in partnership with Nairm Marr Djambana, is offering a fully funded PhD scholarship to undertake a community-led research project that supports the development and implementation of an evaluation framework for Aboriginal community programs.
New nurse-led liver cancer support line fills critical care gap
The Liver Foundation has launched a nationwide, nurse-led support line offering free, specialised care to Australians diagnosed with primary liver cancer.
Until now, these patients, who are often managed outside traditional cancer centres, have had limited access to tailored support. The new service provides patients and carers with guidance from nurses experienced in liver cancer and liver disease.
It’s designed to bridge a long-standing care gap, particularly for people in regional and remote areas, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and those with limited English proficiency.
Support is available for people diagnosed with liver disease or liver cancer; family, friends and carers of people diagnosed with liver disease or liver cancer; anyone who is supporting someone with liver disease, including friends, family, multicultural support workers, GPs, Aboriginal health workers; and anyone with general concerns about liver cancer symptoms or testing.
With survival rates still alarmingly low, the Liver Foundation’s free initiative offers guidance for the 3000-plus Australians diagnosed each year.
Central Australia Justice Reinvestment initiative announced
The Albanese Labor Government has announced the latest initiative as part of the largest commitment to justice reinvestment ever delivered by the Commonwealth.
Central Australian Youth Link-Up Service (CAYLUS) will deliver Mampu-Maninjaku, a community-led crime prevention, alcohol and drug counselling, and diversion program.
This is the second initiative funded under the Justice Reinvestment in Central Australia Program and was selected following a rigorous assessment process undertaken by an independent panel.
The Mampu-Maninjaku initiative aims to reduce the over-representation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system. It will also target alcohol and drug use issues through a partnership consortium with the Australian Childhood Foundation and the Southern Tanami Kurdiji Indigenous Corporation.
Justice reinvestment is a long-term, community-led approach to preventing crime, improving community safety and reducing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children in custody.
Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.
Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click hereto 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.
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.
Lung cancer screening for First Nations communities
The launch of Australia’s national lung cancer screening program is expected to bring significant benefits for high-risk groups, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders high on the risk list.
Lung cancer is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, behind breast, prostate, colorectal cancer and melanoma and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, that toll is higher.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are twice as likely as non-Indigenous Australians to both be diagnosed with and to die from lung cancer.
Peter Bligh, a Kullilli and Wakka Wakka man and director of cancer for the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) is optimistic the program will reduce that number.
“It’s Closing the Gap in a way that’s meaningful for communities,” he told Croakey Health.
“Patients must not be left in limbo with the threat of lung cancer hanging over them but no timely access to the downstream services such as respiratory specialists.”
How Kimberley Benjamin captured the power of mob healing mob
Our Medicine is a six-part NITV documentary that honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers.
When filmmaker Kimberley Benjamin stepped into the emergency department at Cairns Hospital to begin filming Our Medicine, she was already feeling the weight of what this story meant.
“It was my first day, and a man came in with a machete wound to his arm,” she remembers.
“And I thought, ‘How am I going to do this?’ I can’t even look at blood.”
But what the Yawuru, Bardi and Kija young woman saw in that hospital — and across the many communities she visited while directing the six-part documentary series — was far more powerful than anything she expected.
“I got to witness our mob doing incredible, life-saving work. Not just in hospitals, but in communities, on Country, through ceremony, through bush medicine.
“And it reminded me — we’ve always had medicine.”
Our Medicine is, at its heart, a love letter to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, both those in scrubs and those in the bush.
It captures the quiet strength of First Nations doctors, nurses, paramedics, liaison officers, and traditional healers who are not just treating patients — they’re transforming the system from the inside out.
Kimberley Benjamin (middle) and Wunan Health professionals in the East Kimberley.
Aboriginal organisations, Elders help make day-to-day tasks easier for older mob
Elders are helping develop an assistance guide for when everyday tasks get a little more difficult with age.
Everyday Tools to Help Mob is a collection of free resources available online and in hard copy which provides older Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander people with information and products to assist around the house, in the garden and getting from A to B. The end goal is to support strengthened social and emotional wellbeing.
Delivered by healthy ageing initiative LiveUp, the guide was developed in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation as well as an Elder working group.
VACCHO Journey to Dreaming Palliative Care senior project worker Robyn Bradley was involved workshops to develop the resources.
“I see great benefit”, she told National Indigenous Times, “enabling people to keep their independence”.
Ms Bradley said things many take for granted, such as putting on socks, can get a little tougher with age.
‘Low-risk assistive’ products within the guide include household items such as a two-handed mug, kettle tipper and easy-grip cutlery as well as pre-threaded needles and a seatbelt reacher for the car.
In partnership with healthy ageing initiative LiveUp, Victorian-based Aboriginal organisations and Elders have developed the Everyday Tools to Help Mob guide. (Image: Jarred Cross)
New report highlights urgency of climate action for mental health
Content warning: this article contains reference to mental health issues. Please refer to the services at the bottom of this article for support.
Underfunded mental healthcare systems are ill-equipped to cope with growing demand arising from the direct and indirect impacts of climate change upon mental health, according to a new report.
The report, ‘How climate change affects mental health in Australia’, says “substantial investment and innovation” are needed to develop a climate-resilient mental health sector.
Without a rapid transition away from fossil fuels and towards restoring nature, we can expect to see further increases in mental disorders and emergency mental health presentations among young people, it warns.
The report outlines the direct and indirect impacts of hotter temperatures and extreme weather events upon mental health, and highlights groups at increased risks, as well as making policy recommendations, including the need for “strong, decisive action to reduce the carbon emissions from healthcare”.
“Working with communities to drastically reduce emissions this decade, governments can still prevent the worst of global warming, with enormous benefits to mental health and wellbeing,” it says.
For the sake of our health, a new dawn for climate action is needed. Photo by Melissa Sweet, Melukerdee Country, 9 May 2025
CEQ champions healthy start for First Nations infants with baby food range overhaul
Not-for-profit remote store operator Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) has reaffirmed its commitment to the health and wellbeing of children and families in remote First Nations communities, with a major update to its infant and toddler food range across all stores.
Driven by CEQ’s vision of Caring, Every Day, Always, the update follows a comprehensive review led by CEQ’s nutrition and buying teams and prioritised by the CEQ Board to ensure babies and young children have better access to healthier food options from their very first bites.
“The updated range focuses on nutritious, iron-rich, and lower-sugar options that support early development – such as meat-based meals, iron-fortified cereals, and vegetable-based meals – while reducing the shelf presence of products high in added sugars, such as sweetened custards and fruit-based purees,” according CEQ.
CEQ Nutrition and Health Manager Melinda Hammond says the changes reflect CEQ’s ongoing dedication to improving health outcomes in remote Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander communities across North Queensland.
“A healthy start in life begins with good nutrition – and that’s something we take seriously,” says Ms Hammond.
Georgia Day CEQ Nutrition Health with Rohani Nona and Philicia Reimann
Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.
Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click hereto 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.
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.
Wahluu Health officially launches the Aboriginal Health Service (AHS) ‘Wundirra’
“WE’RE only starting off, but the dream here is big.”
For decades, the dream of the Indigenous community in Bathurst has been the development of an Aboriginal Health Service (AHS).
Now, with the official launch of Wahluu Health, Wundirra, the community is one step closer to realising this dream, and joining the likes of other cities in the Central West, including Orange and Dubbo.
Shona Kennedy, Wundirra health manager (centre) with local children at the Wahluu Health Launch of Wundirra. Picture by Alise McIntosh
Tharawal – Vaccination Uptake Support Program
Families flocked to Tharawal Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) in Airds on Wednesday, 23 April, where furry friends and flu fighters turned out for a successful flu vaccination clinic.
Over 200 locals rolled up their sleeves for their annual flu vaccination, with South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) and Tharawal AMS staff working together to deliver the flu shots.
A pizza truck, petting zoo and raffles helped take the sting out of the vaccination for children – and their parents – with one grateful mum posting on Facebook: “Thank you for today, the boys really enjoyed the petting zoo and pizza. Made the whole flu shot experience much more enjoyable”.
The clinic was also an opportunity for some Tharawal AMS patients to keep their shingles, pneumonia and COVID-19 vaccines up-to-date. It was one of several SWSLHD flu vaccination clinics being held across the region this month.”
Children at the petting zoo, during a vaccination program in Tharawal
“Anything with mob is where my passion lies” – graduate paying it forward in her community
GO Foundation alumni Makayla Rodrigues wants others to know trusting your gut and backing yourself is the greatest form of self-investment.
The Gomeroi and Worimi woman recently completed her Social Work Bachelor’s degree and is working as a First Nations Community Development Worker at community counselling and support service Interrelate.
At the back end of high school, her scholarship with the GO Foundation helped with the transition into university life and studies – with the added complexities of COVID lockdowns.
“I got early entry into the University of Wollongong with no idea of what I needed for uni,” Ms Rodrigues told National Indigenous Times, with GO’s financial support allowing for her to buy her first laptop and set up for studying at home.
“It definitely made a massive difference for me.”
Founded in 2009 by AFL greats Michael O’Loughlin and Adam Goodes, GO Foundation has awarded scholarships to close to 2000 students since 2014 across their footprint in Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra. 664 students, according to last year’s impact report, were supported in 2024.
Matty Mills: Championing mental health in First Nations and queer communities
Content warning: this article contains reference to suicide. Please refer to the services at the bottom of this article for support.
Returning for his second year, TV presenter and proud Kamilaroi man Matty Mills brings a deeply personal connection to The Push-Up Challenge, a cause close to his heart as he has been directly impacted by suicide and, as a queer First Nations man, understands the confronting intersection of suicide statistics within his community.
Highlighting the harrowing reality that suicide is the leading cause of death for young First Nations men under 25, Matty sees the challenge as an opportunity to do his part and use his platform for good, aligning with his belief in movement as medicine, having long found strength and mental well-being through physical activity as an outlet for past trauma and a way to maintain his best self.
New journals to support Indigenous mums through pregnancy and motherhood
After more than a decade in women’s health, proud Gamilaroi woman Darinka Ondrovic has launched a new range of antenatal journals to support First Nations women during pregnancy.
Ms Ondrovic, who was born and raised on Wiradjuri Country in Dubbo, NSW, said the journals offer a space for cultural connection, emotional reflection, and strength.
Each page includes culturally safe guidance, wellbeing prompts, and artwork reflecting the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
Ms Ondrovic said the journals were developed to support women during an important time in their lives.
“Our women deserve to feel seen, heard, and supported during such a sacred time,” she said.
“These journals are created to walk beside them, honouring culture and tradition while supporting health and wellbeing.”
Gamilaroi woman Darinka Ondrovic has launched antenatal journals to support Indigenous mums.
Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.
Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click hereto 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.
NACCHO Governance Program Workshop
Specialised governance workshops for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations will be delivered in multiple locations during 2024 to 2025.
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.
Shingles vaccine now free for Indigenous people over 50
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50 can now get the shingles vaccine for free, as of Wednesday 1 November. Immunocompromised adults and all people over the age of 65 will also be eligible for the vaccine. The new, free vaccine provides around 10 years’ worth of protection from shingles and previously costed up to $560.
On NITV and SBS World News, NACCHO Medical Advisor Dr Megan Campbell said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are more likely to get shingles and are more likely to get it at a younger age.
“The new vaccine is safer and more effective than the last one we had,” she said.
“And more importantly, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can get a free two-dose course from the age of 50.”
Black Rainbow on preventing Indigenous LGBTQIA+SB suicide
Black Rainbow Founder, Dameyon Bonson spoke at the 2023 NACCHO Members’ Conference session LGBTQIA+SB and Inclusivity in ACCHOs on how the National Indigenous LGBTQIA+SB Volunteer Suicide Prevention Organisation came to be, and why it is needed. Mr Bonson shared a story of how he saw a funeral notice for a 12-year-old Aboriginal boy who died by suicide. Mr Bonson explained. “I said to myself ‘what if this young fella was gay? Or questioning?’ What services could he look at and go ‘I can go there, and I’ll feel comfortable and safe there.’” Now, Black Rainbow does just that – provides a safe space to pursue positive health and wellbeing for the LGBTQIA+SB Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, while acknowledging that racism and homophobia are significant determinants of health.
“It [Black Rainbow] was created so that if any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, no-binary, sistergirl, or brotherboy felt lonely or isolated, they could get online and see themselves reflected positively,” Mr Bonson said.
In its early days, Black Rainbow leveraged social media to gain traction, claiming the space where the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQI+SB people had predominately been within sexual health conversations. Expanding the conversation, Mr Bonson used Twitter to “champion the work that needed top be done and raise money.”
“I thought I’d given the organisations enough time to do what you’re funded to do, and you haven’t done it.
“Well guess what? The black fellas gonna do it…the black gay one’s gonna do it,” he said.
If you are feeling stressed, not sleeping well, or have increased anxiety and depression you can seek immediate help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from:
Black Rainbow Founder Dameyon Bonson speaking at the 2023 NACCHO Members’ Conference.
QAIHC urges Indigenous-led reform on deaths in custody
Following the death of 16-year-old Aboriginal boy Cleveland Dodd in the Unit 18 youth detention facility at Perth’s adult Casuarina Prison, the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) has renewed its call for urgent prison reform to improve the health, well-being and safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. QAIHC urged immediate action to address the lack of cultural safety faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in custody in Queensland, stressing that “without immediate action to address systemic racism within the criminal justice system, similar tragedies will continue to occur”, in a statement issued Wednesday.
QAIHC noted it was encouraged by recent remarks by federal Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler at the NACCHO Members Conference in Perth, where he committed his department to reviewing access and cultural appropriateness of healthcare to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in custody, but warned that a review without the input and involvement of Australia’s Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation sector would be incomplete and ineffective.
“ACCHOs understand the unique needs, challenges, and solutions our communities require, and it is critical that the ACCHO sector is involved in a review and in the ongoing delivery of healthcare to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in custody,” said QAIHC CEO Cleveland Fagen.
“We must increase access to culturally safe, effective, and relevant care and support within the justice system, in alignment with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.”
Read the full National Indigenous Times article here.
Brisbane youth detention centre. Image: Darren England (AAP).
VACCHO supports decriminalisation of public drunkenness
VIC will decriminalise public drunkenness on November 7, in a decision that has long been lauded by Indigenous and health experts. The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) welcomed the proposed abolishment of the law. VACCHO CEO, and Gunditjmara woman, Aunty Jill Gallagher said, “The abolition of Public Drunkenness laws was a key recommendation of the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody because of its dangerous and discriminatory impact.”
Ms Gallagher told the National Indigenous Times, “The repeal of these laws is vital for the betterment of the health and safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria, and indeed all Victorians.”
The role of groups like cohealth will focus on supporting intoxicated people in a wide range of areas. Street based health teams, which will include a nurse and an alcohol/drug worker, can help people with as little a task as charging their phone to sitting with them whilst they wait to get home.
The last port of call would be transporting them to a sobering centre – such as the new alcohol sobering centre on Cambridge Street (not yet open) – which would need the person’s consent. Other options still include care at a medical facility if they are too intoxicated to give consent or are a danger to themselves to the community.
International Indigenous Disability Research Conference
An International Indigenous Disability Research Conference, a first of its kind, is set to be held at the University of Syndey this month. The symposium aims to explore and bring to light what the international platform of Indigenous disability research looks like under the United Nations (UN) Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIP) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The objective is to develop a strategy for the university research centres in how they engage in the Indigenous research space on a global scale.
The symposium will address three questions:
What does the international disability research archive look like on a global scale?
How can scholars respect and empower Indigenous people with disability in research and research translation that is culturally respectful for Indigenous people?
What does decolonization/Indigenisation mean in disability research?
The event is being hosted by the Centre of Disability Research and Policy and the University of Syndey. It will also be supported by the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health and the University Disability Inclusion Action Plan. It will be held on November 22 and November 23 at the Susan Wakil Health Building on the Camperdown campus.
Welcome Baby to Bourke has won the Secretary’s Award at the 25th annual NSW Health Awards. With no operating birthing unit in Bourke, expectant mothers need to travel to Dubbo to deliver their babies. Welcome Baby to Bourke is an initiative to welcome babies born away from Country back into the region. Pat Canty, WNSWLHD Manager Aboriginal Health Partnerships and Community Engagement in the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Directorate, said this award belongs to all our babies and parents of the Bourke Community.
“Thank you for the support we have received from our community and partners. Without them it wouldn’t have been possible. To be recognised by this prestigious award is a dream come true. This event is so important to the babies and our families in the community. This is something very special,” Mrs Canty said.
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.
Scott Morrison’s dismissal of the Uluru Statement from the Heart is “disheartening,” according to the CEO of the peak Aboriginal Health Body. Speaking to NITV’s The Point, Pat Turner said a voice to Parliament would give Aboriginal people the right to practice self-determination. “I think it’s a national shame that the two major parties have barely said anything useful,” she said. “What Labor has said is it’s committed to implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which is fine, and to hold a referendum. “Apparently the polls are saying that a majority of Australians support a voice to Parliament, but getting that through a successful referendum is another story.”
Ms Turner also highlighted the issue of Indigenous health, saying billions more needs to be spent to address the ‘gap’ in life expectancy between First Nations people and non-Indigenous populations. A report, commissioned by NACCHO and released on Tuesday identified a $4.4 billion underspend in Indigenous health from state, territory and commonwealth governments. “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities have always been underfunded,” she said. “It’s like a patronising, paternalistic regime that thinks ‘oh well, that’s enough from them and they can get on with it’. “Well, we do get on with it but we can’t continue on unless we want to see the health gap widen even more… so what we will be telling all of the jurisdictions is stand up and be counted in terms of fulfilling your responsibilities.”
You read the SBS NITV article Election 2022: Major parties’ approach to Indigenous issues slammedhere, view the Pat Turner being interviewed on NITV’s The Point below and read a transcript of the interview here.
Lack of attention to First Nations issues “a disgrace”
Yesterday afternoon NACCHO CEO Pat Turner was interviewed by Fran Kelly on ABC News Afternoon Briefing. Ms Turner addressed the upcoming federal election and the health funding shortfall. In response to the question “Is there enough attention being paid in this election campaign to Indigenous issues?” Ms Turner said “absolutely not, I think it’s a disgrace the major parties have not given sufficient attention to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues. There are many needs that remain unmet and we launched a report today to show that the gap in health funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is $4.4 billion and that adds to our trove of evidence that we will use to continue to argue with governments how they can make up that $4.4 billion shortfall.”
You can watch a video of interview from 34:20 minutes onwards to 50 minutes here.
Poor public policy without consultation
This month will likely see the NT government pass laws that will see alcohol allowed into a host town camps, living areas and some communities for the first time since 2007. Those areas that were self-declared dry beforehand will not be affected. Under the changes, the management of alcohol will pass from the federal government back to the NT government who are legislating for an opt-in approach to alcohol bans, with many communities and town camps needing to specifically ask to remain dry. A range of bodies including police and peak Aboriginal organisations have questioned the move and called for a pause to changes to allow for proper consultation and avoid what many believe will be a spike in grog-fuelled mayhem in both town and out bush. NT has the highest level of grog harm, alcohol related deaths and alcohol consumption in Australia. The NT government has rejected extending the federal measures with the Chief Minister saying they are racist and they need to go. This is supported by Chansey Paech who is the Minister for Remote Housing and Town Camps.
In a recent interview on ABC Alice Springs NACCHO CEO Pat Turner AM she would never speak on behalf of local communities but speaking from the experience of ACCHOs who deal with the fall out of alcohol abuse. Ms Turner said “the NT government needs to ensure full consultation with every Aboriginal community that’s going to be affected by the changes in the alcohol laws that it is proposing. To say that the legislation is racist and was done on that basis is Chansey Paech’s view but doesn’t reflect the reality of opening the gates in the communities where people don’t want the change.” Ms Turner continued on to say that where services exist, and many communities don’t have services, the impact on ACCHOs will be enormous. Ms Turner described the proposed changes to the alcohol laws as “poor public policy without proper consultation and full informed choice.”
You can listen to the ABC Alice Springs radio interview in full by clicking on the image below:
Naamuru Mother and Baby Unit opens
New mums requiring specialist care for a severe mental illness can now have their babies stay with them at NSW’s first public, purpose-built Mother and Baby Unit. The new facility at Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) Hospital in Camperdown is the first state-wide facility designed to keep families together when a mother requires hospitalisation for a severe perinatal mental illness. Named ‘Naamuru’, a local Aboriginal dialect word meaning ‘leading the way’, the unit will care for up to 120 NSW residents a year who have infants up to 12 months of age.
The eight-bed unit is staffed by specialist perinatal health professionals who can attend to the mental health needs of the mother, as well as facilitate appropriate care of the baby and promote positive mother-baby interactions. Each bedroom is large enough to accommodate the mother, up to two infants under 12-months of age and a partner or family member. There are also therapeutic spaces, including a 24-hour respite nursery; a mothercraft room; dining and kitchen areas; outdoor courtyards; play areas; and a retreat room.
To view the NSW Health media release in full click here.
Image source: National Indigenous Times.
Prisoners need culturally competent health care
When someone is placed in prison, they are entirely dependent on prison officers and prison health-care providers. Incarcerated people do not get to choose when they see a doctor or mental health practitioner, when they take medicine, or what type of care they receive. They cannot call 000 and be taken to a hospital if they are dangerously ill. In Victoria, if a prisoner is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person, they do not get access to culturally competent care through ACCHOs. In Victoria, prison health care is provided by for-profit private companies contracted by the state government.
Imprisoned peoples’ physical health and/or social and emotional well-being is at the mercy of prison officers and prison health-care providers. Through their practice the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, have seen the differences between how people are treated in the community and how they are treated in prisons and youth prisons. The right to health care continues when people are incarcerated. International law requires “prisoners should enjoy the same standards of health care that are available in the community”. This health care should be “free of charge” and “without discrimination”. It also makes clear everyone has the right to the “highest attainable standard of physical and mental health”.
To view the article Victoria’s prison health care system should match community health care in The Conversation full click here.
Image source: The Conversation.
Eating disorders foundation marks 20 years
From humble beginnings over a kitchen table, to the largest national charity for eating disorders and body image issues, Butterfly Foundation has been changing lives for 20 years. More than a million Australians live with an eating disorder, with many more suffering body image issues. For two decades, Butterfly’s efforts in advocacy, community education, early intervention, prevention and clinical services has helped to significantly change the conversation and understanding around eating disorders, establishing them as serious and complex mental illnesses, rather than a lifestyle choice. However, Butterfly’s work remains critical, as many misconceptions and stigma prevail.
Today Wednesday 11 May 2022 Butterfly has launched a new campaigncelebrating its 20th anniversary and setting the agenda for the next 20 years of treatment and prevention of eating disorders and body image issues in Australia. Butterfly’s big ambitions include:
A national parliamentary inquiry into body image
Preventing eating disorders from occurring
Reducing stigma and increasing help-seeking
Improving eating disorder treatment and support services
Butterfly Foundation CEO, Kevin Barrow, said, “Anecdotally speaking, the way we talk about eating disorders is about 10 years behind how we now speak about anxiety and depression. Eating disorders are still misunderstood and grossly under-estimated, with stigma and stereotypes acting as a major barrier to help-seeking. “There is so much more work that needs to be done in the prevention, early intervention, and treatment of eating disorders as well as education for the broader community.”
The Butterfly website includes the video below and a number of articlesrelating to eating disorders and body image concerns among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Declonising whiteness in preventive health
At the The Preventive Health Conference 2022 which runs from today until Friday 13 May 2022 in Brisbane, some of the world’s leading experts will explore a range of topics including decolonising and disrupting whiteness in preventive health, the priorities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, and investments in prevention. Conference Advisory Committee Chair Associate Professor Louisa Gordon of QIMR Berghofer said Australia needs to spend 5% of total health expenditure on prevention because it will save lives and is far cheaper than spending on treatments.
To view the Public Health Association of Australia media release Risky behaviours, exercise, and gambling among topics to be explored at Preventive Health Conference 2022 in full click here.
Image source: HealthUno.
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.
Primary Care COVID-19 update
The latest in a series of webinars to update primary care on the COVID-19 response and the vaccine rollout will be held from 11:30 AM–12:00PM (AEDT) Thursday 12 May 2022.
This week Australian Government Department of Health (DoH) Dr Lucas de Toca, First Assistant Secretary, COVID-19 Primary Care Response will be chairing the webinar and will be joined by DoH Dr Nick Simpson, Medical Medical Adviser, Technology Assessment and Access Division.
GPs and all health professionals are welcome to attend the webinar and can join using this link. If you’re unable to view this webinar live, you can view it on-demand using the same link, within a few hours of the live stream ending.
Feature tile image of RHD patient, Trey, receiving a handheld echo scan in Manigrida. Image source: Katherine Times.
NACCHO CEO on ABC Four Corners
Right now, in Australia there are young people dying from an easily preventable medical condition and an appalling lack of healthcare. This should be a national scandal. ABC Four Corners has investigated the shameful and, until now, hidden failure in public health taking place in remote Australian communities in it’s episode Heart Failure: An investigation into the hidden killer in remote Australian communities.
During the episode NACCHO CEO Pat Turner talks about the serious health crisis of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) and exposing the many unique issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Heart Failure, reported by Louise Milligan, goes to air on Monday 7 March at 8.30 PM. It is replayed on Tuesday 8 March at 11.00 PM and Wednesday 9 March at 10:00 AM. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10 PM AEST, ABC iviewand here.
You can view the trailer to the Heart Failure episode here.
Celebrating the Women of Yarrabah
There’s no mistaking the contribution that women make in our lives and their importance in community. To celebrate International Women’s Day 2022, Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service (GYHS) are publishing and saluting 31 outstanding women from the Yarrabah Community.
The ‘Women of Yarrabah’ project is an important recognition of the incredible contributions to family and community these inspiring women have made over the past 70 years. From CEO’s through to health workers and community elders the ‘Women of Yarrabah’ will shine the spotlight strongly upon a very humble and unassuming section of the Yarrabah Community.
Each day during March GYHS will publish a new ‘Women of Yarrabah’ profile. GYHS CEO, Suzanne Andrews praised the contribution that community members, “We have so many incredible and truly inspiring women in Yarrabah. They are mothers, daughters, grand-mothers first and foremost, but for many they also many of the key workers that keep our community moving forward. Like women everywhere, they are mothers first and workers second. They contribute to the financial security of the family as well as running the family and in many cases, they are the glue the binds the family. We are so proud to bring these stories forward, to give a voice to these silent community champions. As a community we acknowledge the tremendous contribution that our women make.”
To read the GYHS media statement regarding the Women of Yarrabah project click here. The ‘Women of Yarrabah’ profiles can be found of the Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service website here.
From top L–R GYHS staff: Renee Grosso, RN Public Health; Suzanne Andrews, CEO, Tamar Patterson; SEWB Manager; Paula Burns, EN, member of the Community Recall team; Lucresia Willett, Cultural Mentor & Youth Wellbeing Program Manager; and Belita Kynuna, Health Worker.
NACCHO pharmacy scholarship update
Last month NACCHO has announced the inaugural NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacist Scholarship. The Scholarship provides subsidy and support for prospective or current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacy students and aims to build the pharmacist workforce amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
NACCHO would like to thank everyone who has submitted applications for the scholarship and we’re excited to be able to announce the successful applicants in the coming weeks.
Dr Dawn Casey PSM FAHA, NACCHO Deputy CEO said, “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacists and pharmacy students are significantly underrepresented in the pharmacy profession. Building leadership and skills of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals is a critical enabler in supporting cultural safety in the health sector. This financial support combined with mentorship will provide a tangible way to help students to thrive in their professional training and stands to build confident and self-determined Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacy sector leaders.”
Associate Professor Faye McMillan, a proud Wiradjuri Yinaa (woman), Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner and Pharmacist said, “Another example of the outstanding leadership of NACCHO and the commitment to the future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacy workforce through the inaugural NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacist Scholarship. So delighted to see scholarships supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacy students.”
For more information on the scholarship, visit the NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacist Scholarship webpage here.
* If you had hoped to apply, but didn’t get the application in on time, please contact NACCHO as soon as possible on 02 6246 9304 or via email here.
* proudly supported by a grant from Sanofi.
Aged care culture and connections
Wiradjuri and Wongkumara woman, Alynta, considers herself fortunate to have landed her dream job as an aged care worker, caring for older Australians in their homes. Working with clients, Alynta treasures the relationships she gets to build, learning from them, hearing their stories and experiences. “I’ve always wanted to look after Elders, that’s just what you do in an Aboriginal community. Being able to give back to those who’ve cared for others, provide for them, it’s just something I’ve always felt obligated to do,” Alynta said.
With an ingrained drive to care for others it is little wonder Alynta found herself working in aged care. With family from Bourke, far west NSW, Alynta grew up in Condobolin and was raised in a large family of twelve by her Aunty, who she calls Mum. At aged sixteen, Alynta became a young mum herself to a beautiful baby girl. Finishing high school with a newborn was no easy feat, but Alynta was determined to do so. Support from family played a large part in her successfully completing high school and commencing university studies in nursing.
However, Alynta decided that, with a young family, it wasn’t the right time to juggle university and family life. She moved back home to Condobolin where family support and some inspirational Aunties encouraged her to study a Certificate III in Individual Support, starting her career in aged care. “Working in aged care has taught me patience, to be kind and open minded. I feel it has made me a better person in general, but definitely makes me a better mum. Our older people, they impart a lot of knowledge, and because I live so far away from my family, they teach me the things I need to know to approach certain things in life,” Alynta said, reflecting on her role.
“Having more Indigenous people working in the care and support sector motivates the younger generations too. It would be great to have a higher percentage of Indigenous people working in the sector, caring for mob” Alynta said. One thing is certain, working in aged care has provided Alynta with many opportunities for growth and insight into others and herself. In every way it reflects – A Life Changing Life.
You can access the Alynta’s case study in full here.
Wiradjuri and Wongkumara woman, Alynta McKellar.
CATSINaM marks 25 years of activism
The Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM) has launched a campaign to celebrate its 25-year anniversary and its powerful history of collective and individual activism. The #CATSINAM25Years campaign was launched this week in a national online webinar with messages of support from founding and current members, former and current board members, the nursing and midwifery union and the Commonwealth Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Adjunct Professor Alison McMillan.
CATSINaM CEO Professor Roianne West, a descendant of the Kalkadoon and Djaku-nde peoples, said Indigenous nurses and midwives drew on the strength of the organisation’s founders to face current challenges. “Our model of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community control that our Elders and ancestors envisaged 25 years ago provides a strong foundation and the words ‘Unity and Strength through Caring’ gifted then have guided us through these turbulent times,” Professor West said in a statement.
To view the Croakey Health Media article in full click here.
Campaign to tackle smoking rates
Carat Adelaide has launched a new campaign for SA Health – Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA) titled “Give Up Smokes”. The challenge faced is that although there has been a decrease in Aboriginal smoking prevalence, tobacco smoking is the most preventable cause of ill health and early death among Aboriginal people. Smoking-related illnesses cause half of all deaths in Aboriginal people over the age of 45.
This campaign focuses on improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal South Australians by reducing the impact of tobacco smoking. The message is ‘live for the moments’, i.e. moments enjoying more quality time with children and family as a key motivator to quit.
Working with creative agency WDM and DASSA, Carat has rolled out a strong multi-channelled campaign using custom DSP targeting in the digital space to convert to site with high impact assets, while balancing the need for broadcast media for awareness in the outdoor space. WDM have overlaid QR codes on street and retail panels in suburbs that have the highest smoking rates in Adelaide, providing quick access to sites for ways to quit, and how to get support while doing so.
Manager of the Tobacco Control Unit in DASSA, Clinton Cenko, said this was a campaign formed from the leadership and vision of Aboriginal community leaders, with guidance from communities. “The campaign’s purpose is to reduce the gap between Aboriginal smoking prevalence and that of the rest of the SAcommunity,” he said. “Smoking is four times more prevalent in Aboriginal communities than in the overall SA population, so this messaging is really important.”
World Hearing Day held yesterday, had the theme “To Hear for Life: Listen with Care”. The specific focus was on what it feels like to be hearing impaired. In 2021 the World Health Organisation (WHO) launched the World Report on Hearing that highlighted the increasing number of people living with and at risk of hearing loss. It found that hearing loss in on the rise, with over 1.5 people worldwide affected by hearing loss. Early detection and intervention programs offer the best outcomes.
Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) is proud to be able to offer a range of audiometry screening services to identify children who may be hearing impaired to allow for early intervention, including the Statewide Infant Screening for Hearing (SWISH) program, whereby all newborn babies born in the MLHD are offered a non-invasive hearing screen. The screening is done very soon after birth so that families and babies can receive early treatment if required.
Audiometry screening is also available at selected Community Health sites including Deniliquin, Wagga Wagga, Young, Cootamundra, West Wyalong & Tumut. GP Referral for Audiometry services is required and received through the Community Care Intake Service (CCIS). MLHD Aboriginal Health Services run the Otitis Media (OM) Screening Program where Aboriginal Health Staff attend schools and preschools to perform Otitis Media screening and education. The screening includes otoscopy, tympanometry and audiogram.
MLHD Director of Clinical Governance, Jill Reyment is using World Hearing Day as a platform to further educate staff about their interactions with co-workers and consumers who may present with deafness. “We are fortunate to have community nurse Anna–Maree Bloomfield working with us. Anna-Maree is deaf and she will be delivering a webinar to staff about communication and sharing her lived experience,” said Ms Reyment.
“Anna-Maree has worked within a variety of roles for NSW Health for over the past 20 years and has to overcome many communication barriers and obstacles around communicating effectively within the workforce. The past two years have posed a significant challenge for Anna-Maree, as she relies on lip-reading to communicate, and mask wearing mandates associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic meant we had to rethink ways to facilitate her ability to communicate with staff and patients.
You can view a video of Anna-Marree below and view the NSW Government Health MLHD article in full click here.
Eye and Ear survey launched
About 5,000 people are expected to participate in Australia’s first national survey combining ear and eye health, launched yesterday to coincide with World Hearing Day. ‘The Australian Eye and Ear Health Survey’ is a national study that will assess the prevalence of eye and ear conditions, as well as risk factors and impacts of vision and hearing loss in the community. It will be the country’s first hearing national survey, and its second vision study building on the National Eye Health Survey in 2016.
Director of Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WMIR) Vision Research Professor Paul Mitchell is leading the study, and inaugural cochlear chair in hearing and health at Macquarie University Hearing, Professor Bamini Gopinath, is leading the ear health component. Gopinath said vision and hearing loss were key health issues in Australia, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. “Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 40 and older, more than 11% have a vision impairment or are blind, and up to 82% have some form of hearing loss,” she said.
“Our researchers will be door knocking in eligible communities in city, regional and remote areas to invite people to take part, with the focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 40 and older and non-Indigenous Australians aged 50 and older. Participants will have their vision and hearing tested, and will be surveyed to help us build up a picture of what sort of factors are influencing hearing and vision loss, and how these impairments affect people.”
For further information about the survey you can access the full Insight article here.
Image source: Insight website.
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.
International Women’s Day
This International Women’s Day, Tuesday 8 March June Oscar, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner is inviting you to listen to and celebrate First Nation’s women by watching and sharing a beautiful animation featuring the real-life voices of First Nations women and celebrating their ongoing contributions to their communities.
Watch our animation – Yajilarra Nhingi, Mindija Warrma (From Dreams, Let’s Make it Reality).
Share the animation – on social media or by screening it at your workplace or school.
Take actionto support First Nations gender justice and equality.
“Women are the social fabric of our communities and the glue that holds everything together. We are sovereign women. It is time to listen to our voices now.” Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) is a ground-breaking report and project, driven by First Nations Women and Girls across the nation. Now in its implementation stage, Wiyi Yani U Thangani is building towards a national summit and framework to advance First Nations gender justice and equality. This International Women’s Day, celebrate the strength of First Nations women. Watch, listen and support women’s voices and Wiyi Yani U Thangani.
Pat Turner, the CEO of NACCHO spoke with Dr Norman Swan and Teegan Taylor on RN Breakfast with Fran Kelly this morning.
She said she’s extremely nervous about the country’s reopening because of lagging vaccination rates in some communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander COVID-19 cases has grown from 153 to more than 7,500 since Delta got into communities in June with 15 COVID-related deaths amongst those cases. Ms Turner believes part of the problem is state and territory governments passing the buck to the Commonwealth, and also certain religious groups bringing in misinformation and myths from the US.
“It’s got to be a really determined effort by South Australia in the remote areas, by Western Australia state-wide, by Queensland state-wide including the Torres Straits. And of course the Northern Territory has now got their wake-up call,” said Ms Turner.
“We shouldn’t have to wait until infections get in before the health authorities get in and start the vaccinations. They’ve got to do it now.”
You can listen to the interview on ABC RN Breakfasthere.
Warmun Community member Luke Banks being vaccinated by Steph Whitwell, Vaccination Nurse from Kununurra COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic. Image source: Government of WA website.
Dubbo’s vaccine response a role model
Dubbo’s “remarkable” response to COVID-19 vaccination efforts has won praise from the Federal Minister for Regional Health and the country’s COVID vaccination taskforce coordinator. The coordinator-general of the country’s COVID-19 vaccine taskforce, Lieutenant General John Frewen, and the Federal Minister for Regional Health Dr David Gillespie visited the town on separate agendas.
“It’s been remarkable what was achieved here, particularly treating outbreaks and the vaccination rates that were just brought along so quickly,” Lieutenant General Frewen said.
“With the Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) and Aboriginal Community Health Organisations (ACHO) stepping up, they got access to the vaccine as quickly as was rolled out in Sydney or Brisbane or Melbourne,” said Dr Gillespie.
Lieutenant General Frewen has called vaccination rates in Dubbo’s Indigenous population “tremendous”, but is aware that it “isn’t the case across the whole state, and certainly isn’t the case across the whole country”.
“It starts with engagement with local leaders and getting the local leaders on side,” he said.
Officials say that they want to learn from Dubbo’s success to help boost Indigenous vaccination rates across Australia. Image source: ABC News.
Current NT COVID-19 outbreak linked to earlier clusters
Patricia Karvelas on ABC’s Afternoon Briefing spoke to NACCHO Senior Medical Advisor Dr Jason Agostino yesterday about how the Genomic Sequencing has confirmed the Northern Territory’s current COVID-19 outbreak is linked to the cluster that triggered a lockout in Darwin and a lockdown in Kathrine earlier this month.
“It reinforces that even though a lot of testing is happening even more has to happen to find out where those chains of transmission has been occurring because there is likely that there are more cases out there,” said Dr Agostino.
“It’s been two weeks since those first cases were picked up in Darwin, so for it to get out to where it has, it means that there are some people that have been infected that haven’t been picked up at this stage.”
He says he takes some comfort in the fact that vaccination rates in the affected communities are higher than in many other places, which means that if we do see more cases, it’s a good chance that they will be less severe.
You can watch yesterday’s episode of Afternoon Briefinghere. Please note that Dr Agostino features after 52min of the episode.
$53.3M spent to improve health sector in NSW
The NSW government will for the first time track how much it spends on specific Indigenous programs and services, with data revealing it invested $1.1 billion last financial year. The funding is detailed in the state’s first Indigenous expenditure report, which shows the state government increased its spending on First Nations programs and services by almost 20 per cent. In health, $109 million was invested, with $53.3 million delivered by the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector.
As part of the historic national agreement on Closing the Gap, there was a commitment from Australian governments and First Nations communities “to review and identify current spending on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs and services”. NSW is the first state to publish an interim Indigenous expenditure report.
“This report will become a powerful tool to provide policymakers with a greater evidence-base of expenditure to inform future resource allocation decisions,” said Treasurer Matt Kean.
“This first phase of the Indigenous expenditure report will assist us in building up the community-controlled sector which is improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” said Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Don Harwin.
You can read the article in The Sydney Morning Heraldhere.
You can view the 2021-22 NSW Government Interim Indigenous Expenditure Reporthere.
Rapid Antigen Testing in the NT
In a media release by the Northern Territory Minister for Health Natasha Fyles, Rapid Antigen Testing and Distribution points has been unveiled as travel restrictions come into effect for remote communities with vaccination rates below 70%.
Top End testing and distribution points will be located at the Royal Darwin Hospital Pandemic Clinic (open 8.30am to 4pm). In Alice Springs, the Pandemic Coordination Centre will be located at 44 Bath Street (open 8am-4pm Monday to Friday).
Negative Rapid Antigen test results are required 72 hours or less for anyone who intends to travel to a remote community with a first dose vaccination rate below 70%. Following completion of a Rapid Antigen Test at a testing and distribution point, a copy of the result will be sent via SMS or a printed copy can be collected if required. This can be used as proof of a negative test.
Rapid Antigen Tests can also be completed at home or at work.
You can read the Media Release by the Northern Territory Minister for Health Natasha Fyleshere.
Rapid Antigen Testing. Image source NT Health’s Facebook page.
AIDA supports COVID-safe reopening of the NT
With the number of COVID cases in remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory (NT) continuing to grow, the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) is asking Territorians to get vaccinated as a matter of urgency and adhere to health restrictions to stop the spread.
AIDA is extremely concerned that the lack of culturally appropriate access to healthcare in remote communities, coupled with poor housing infrastructure in many communities, making it difficult for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to isolate within their own household, will further compound these COVD positive numbers and cause the virus to spread rapidly within communities. This will burden an already short-staffed health sector in the NT, causing even more issues.
AIDA supports the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) in calling on the NT government to commit to shared decision-making with Aboriginal communities and their key institutions when discussing a COVID-safe reopening of the Northern Territory. AIDA also joins AMSANT in supporting the Doherty modelling that indicates children aged 5-11 are to be included in reaching the 80% vaccine coverage before opening up.
The homelessness rate in Katherine is twice the NT average and 31 times the national average
As Katherine and nearby communities grapple with the NT’s worst COVID-19 outbreak to date, Sam Ashley has been sleeping on a patch of grass near the town’s river. Mr Ashley lives in Beswick, roughly 118 kilometres south east of Katherine. Like many others, Mr Ashley travelled to Katherine for food and supplies and is now stuck as the number of COVID-19 cases grows around him.
“We can’t get home. It got me really worried,” said Mr Ashley.
Eli Sherman the coordinator at the Katherine Salvation Army Hub said:
“We’ve identified a huge influx over the last, probably, six weeks to the fact of about 130 to 150 people frequenting our service. A lot of these people coming in from out of town, for reasons unknown, but obviously given the pandemic and a lockdown now, they are stuck here.”
Sam Ashley from Beswick is currently stuck in Katherine and unable to return home, leaving him to sleep in the long grass during the Katherine COVID-19 lockdown. Image source: Michael Franchi, ABC News.
Get a jab and an autograph this weekend
There is an extra incentive to get vaccinated at this Super Schools Weekend. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced sporting greats from rugby league, soccer, netball, Australian football, rugby union and many more will be on hand to congratulate those being vaccinated at select schools during the pop-up clinics this weekend.
“Sport has the ability to unite and inspire us,” the Premier said.
Athletes from the Broncos will be at various locations across southeast Queensland, Queensland Reds players will be running drills at Kelvin Grove State School on Sunday 21 November, and Queensland Firebirds will be at Calamvale Community College on Saturday 21 November.
In the north JCU Townsville Fire players will visit school clinics, and Swimming Queensland, the Gold Coast SUNS and Brisbane Roar A-League Women’s team will have players on board to help supercharge the Super Schools Blitz on the Gold Coast and Brisbane. More clubs and athletes are expected to join the initiative.
“This is a great opportunity to get a jab and an autograph,” Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said.
You can read more about the announcement from the Queensland Governmenthere.
Doomdagee mob encouraged to get the jab
Residents in Doomdagee and outlying North West communities are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated for COVID-19 following the identification of positive cases in the Northern Territory’s Robinson River and Greater Katherine local government areas. With residents frequently travelling between Doomadgee and Robinson River, North West Hospital and Health Service (North West HHS) Chief Executive Craig Carey said it was critically important for residents to come forward and get vaccinated as soon as possible.
“Increasing vaccination rates throughout the North West is a vitally important step in protecting our communities, especially our remote Indigenous communities, who are at greater risk of serious illness caused by this disease,” Mr Carey said.
“North West HHS has activated a COVID-19 testing clinic at the Doomadgee Hospital, and we will be using rapid testing for anyone in the community who is symptomatic or has been in the identified hotspots in the neighbouring Northern Territory.”
A Doomadgee vaccination clinic has run for the last three days and is planned to continue through the weekend.
You can read the North West Hospital and Health Service media release here.
For further COVID-19 information for Doomadgee, click here.
COVID-19 Delta Spread communication resources
The Australian Government Department of Health have prepared a suite of communication resources containing information on how fast the Delta strain of the COVID-19 virus spreads and who are likely to get infected.
In the suite you will find infographics and suggested copy for use on social media as well as posters/flyers that are created with or without the government crest.
You can download Delta Spread social media tiles and contenthere.
You can download Delta Spread posters/flyershere.
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.
Two-thirds of First Nations Australian adults at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 if unvaccinated
Almost three-in-five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are at an elevated risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19 due to ongoing health inequities, found a major study undertaken by researchers and health practitioners at The Australian National University (ANU), the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Lowitja Institute.
The study examined the prevalence of health factors like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, which all increase the risk of severe illness if an unvaccinated person gets COVID-19. It found 59 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults have these and other existing conditions that could increase the risk of needing intensive care admission, mechanical ventilation or death if they contract COVID-19 and are not vaccinated.
Dr Jason Agostino from ANU, and a medical advisor to NACCHO, said: “… there are almost 300,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults who are at higher risk of getting very sick if they are not vaccinated and get COVID-19. This is why getting the vaccine is so important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
Dr Janine Mohamed, CEO of the Lowitja Institute, said: “Our communities are strong and resilient and have responded rapidly and effectively to the pandemic when they have been trusted, enabled and resourced by governments to lead the way. We need governments to work together with Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisations to support culturally safe delivery of vaccines and improve data collection to increase vaccination coverage as quickly as we can.”
AFL legend Adam Goodes, NACCHO CEO Pat Turner, NACCHO Deputy CEO Dr Dawn Casey and Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Linda Burney, MP all getting their vaccines to be protected against COVID-19.
Spread of COVID-19 in Eurobodalla’s sparks alarm
Aboriginal elders, health professionals and politicians say they are concerned about the growing COVID-19 cluster among the Eurobodalla’s Indigenous community.
The cluster linked to Batemans Bay on the NSW far south coast has grown to 19 cases since the first case was reported on September 6.
Bega MP Andrew Constance has expressed concern that the Indigenous population is vulnerable to further spread.
“There is no doubt when you have a vulnerable cohort within the community, that is something we are very concerned about,” he said.
Despite the fact 60 per cent are now fully vaccinated in the region, there is a push to increase the rates among the local Indigenous population. Walk-in clinics will be open at:
The Wallaga Lake Community Hall from 10:00am on Thursday September 23.
The Bodalla soccer oval from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Sunday September 26.
Eden at the community health centre between 10:00am to 2:00pm on Saturday September 25.
Aboriginal elder Uncle Ossie Cruse is calling on the local Indigenous community to get the jab. Australian Story: Marc Smith.
Historic moment creates opportunity for COVID-19 vaccine promo
The McGowan Labor Government has launched the next phase of its Roll up for WA COVID- 19 vaccination campaign to help get as many Western Australians vaccinated as possible.
The emotive campaign reinforces the benefits of vaccination by featuring Western Australian personal stories of life before the COVID-19 pandemic, by reminiscing of a time when we were safely connected with the world and lived life without fear of a local outbreak.
The commercial (that can be viewed below the story) stars Sheree, a young Aboriginal nursing student, whose roots stretch between the Nyiyaparli and Banjima people originating from Port Hedland, who is passionate about encouraging people to get the COVID-19 vaccine because she wants to keep her community safe.
With all eyes on WA hosting the 2021 AFL Grand Final this Saturday, the McGowan Government is leveraging the historic moment in WA by maximising opportunities to promote the campaign and benefits of getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
The campaign also includes an informative video series with respected medical professional Dr Karl. Through the video series, Dr Karl answers the most common questions about the COVID-19 vaccines.
You can view the media release by the McGowan Labor Governmenthere.
For more information about the campaign, visit the Roll up for WA website here.
Growing urgency to vaccinate remote Elders before any border reopening
“It’s only a matter of time before Delta gets here, and it could be bad,” says Mr Chris Bin Kali, the director of the Broome Aboriginal Medical Service.
“It will only take one person and we could lose a whole community — lose the whole language, history, lore and culture in one go.”
It’s a grim message delivered with a sole aim — to get as many Kimberley people vaccinated as quickly as possible.
Outback ingenuity is on display. Some remote communities are raffling off washing machines and fishing gear to those getting the jab. Open-invite vaxathons are using country and western music and AFL players to try to cut through. Slowly but surely, it is starting to work.
Vickie O’Donnell, who heads Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services, says she expects some communities will opt to remain shut.
The outback vaccine rollout is complicated by poor telecommunications, limited road access and a highly mobile population.
But in this critical moment, the years of work by Aboriginal health organisations to build a skilled health workforce is delivering a huge payoff.
Some communities are raffling off gift packs to encourage people to get vaccinated. Image source: Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services.
Statement of support for TGA
Australia’s leading evidence-based health and medical organisations including NACCHO, stand beside Australia’s key medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
We express full support for the vital work the TGA does to assess and regulate new medicines and vaccines. The TGA has a strong reputation for being expert, independent and rigorous in its assessments of new products, and is similarly rigorous in its assessment of the safety of vaccines, so as to improve and protect the health of all Australians.
Another essential role of our medicines regulator is to challenge, and where necessary, prosecute those who seek to mislead the Australian public about important health information so as to pursue their own interests. This role is particularly important in the current global health crisis.
Now is a time when Australians must have confidence in the assessments and recommendations of the TGA, and we believe Australians’ trust in the TGA is well placed.
You can read the statement of support at the Burnet Institute website here.
A new digital surveillance platform has launched enabling healthcare professionals to map circulating antibiotic-resistant pathogens in northern Australia.
The HOTspots platform, developed in the HOT NORTH program, covers tropical areas in Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia and has information about up to 13 pathogens and their associated antibiotics.
Lead researcher, Dr Teresa Wozniak, Senior Research Fellow and APPRISE Fellow at Menzies School of Health Research, said the HOTspots program and digital platform support antibiotic stewardship activities in northern Australia, allowing clinicians to choose “the right drugs for the right bugs”.
“The HOTspots data, and now a digital platform, allow end users including doctors, nurses and Aboriginal health practitioners across regional and remote hospitals and clinics to have access to accurate local up-to-date data to make decisions at the point of care,” Dr Wozniak said.
You can read the joint media release by Menzies School of Health Research, Hot North and Apprisehere.
HOTspots platform maps antibiotic resistance patterns across northern Australia. Image source: Hot North.
Clinical learning e-modules for lung cancer symptoms
Lung Foundation Australia, in collaboration with Cancer Australia, has developed accredited clinical learning e-modules, based on Cancer Australia’s Investigating symptoms of lung cancer: a guide for all health professionals. The e-modules use clinical scenario-based learning to increase confidence among health professionals to recognise symptoms and signs of lung cancer, and support early and rapid referral of symptomatic patients into the multidisciplinary diagnostic pathway.
The modules have received accreditation from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), with health professionals able to gain accreditation of 40 RACGP CPD points.
Symptoms of lung cancer. Illustration from the Lung Foundation Australia website.
Improving Digital Connectivity for Indigenous Australians
Yesterday the Morrison Government launched public consultations for its landmark Indigenous Digital Inclusion Plan to accelerate the digital connectivity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
“Ensuring Indigenous Australians have quality access to digital technology encourages entrepreneurialism, wealth creation and economic advancement – it’s about closing the gap and taking the next step after that,” Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt AM MP, said.
“Over the last year and a half, we’ve seen how people have relied on technology, not just to stay in touch with family and friends, but also to launch new ventures and navigate through COVID-19.”
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly those in remote communities, are
missing out on opportunities to start new businesses and grow because of access to technology. That is why we are developing a comprehensive plan to address the barriers to digital inclusion,” said Minister Wyatt.
More information and a copy of the discussion paper is available on the NIAA website, or you can contact the Agency at digitalinclusion@niaa.gov.au or on 1800 079 098. Submissions on the discussion paper close 1 November 2021.
You can read the media release by The Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MPhere.
The Indigenous Digital Inclusion Plan will focus on three elements of digital inclusion: access, affordability and digital ability.
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.
MDHS Indigenous Postdoctoral Fellowship
The University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences are pleased to announce that applications for the 2021 round of Indigenous Postdoc fellowships are now open.
The fellowship aims to support the next generation of Indigenous researchers who will actively contribute to health research and/or address critical health issues facing Indigenous communities. The Fellows will contribute to and enrich the Faculty’s diverse scholarly community and strengthen our existing Indigenous research community.
Applications are open to recent Indigenous MDHS PhD graduates and candidates who are near completion and expect to submit between 1 July 2021 – 30 June 2022.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 31 October (5pm) 2021.
We invite all eligible candidates who are interested in continuing an academic path with the Faculty to read more about the Fellowship and consider applying here.
Electronic Prescriptions for Consumers Q+A Session
As electronic prescriptions become more widely available across the country, the Australian Digital Health Agency invites you to join a “Electronic Prescribing Q+A Session for Consumers and Carers”. The purpose of the session is to provide you with a platform where your questions will be answered directly by an expert panel.
Ask any questions you might have related to your experience with using electronic prescriptions. Is there anything that wasn’t clear or left you wondering how it works? We welcome all your questions and there is no requirement to have used electronic prescribing prior to joining a session.
You will be able to participate by speaking directly with our subject matter experts, or by submitting questions anonymously through our questions platform. If you would like to submit your questions prior to the session to ensure they are addressed, please use the registration form below.
These sessions are open to consumer peak organisations, members and consumer advocates, carers and advisors.
Event title: Your questions answered: Electronic Prescriptions for Consumers
Dates: Thursday, 7 October 2021, 12-12.30pm AEDT (Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra) Thursday, 14 October 2021 12-12.30pm AEDT (Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra) Thursday, 21 October 2021 12-12.30pm AEDT (Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra)
Register here. (Select preferred date from drop-down menu)
NACCHO CEO Pat Turner spoke with Dan Bourchier on ABC News about the COVID-19 outbreak in western NSW and the vaccination roll-out and uptake in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Ms Turner said that it was very concerning to see the average age of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who contracted COVID-19 in NSW in the last day was 24 years old.
“I am really concerned about the impact it’s having on our young people and I implore you all to please stay at home,” said Ms Turner.
She also said she was very pleased to see that daily increases of the Pfizer vaccine is being rolled out in Western NSW.
“We really need all of the state health authorities to be working in partnership and collaborating with our community controlled health sector and making sure they have a constant supply,” she said.
You can view the interview below.
Culturally safe vaccination services crucial
Lieutenant General John Frewen, Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly and CEO of NACCHO Pat Turner have co-signed a letter addressing COVID-19 vaccinations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The letter that will be sent to Australian COVID-19 vaccine delivery partners states that we all have an important role to play in providing culturally safe vaccination services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“For all Indigenous Australians to be vaccinated and bridge the current gap, we are asking the whole primary care sector to work together and ensure there is equitable COVID-19 vaccine uptake across Australia.”
An article by Croakey Health Media addresses the same issue: Rushed efforts to halt the alarming spread of COVID-19 in Aboriginal communities in western NSW will fail if they do not have cultural safety at their core. That’s the warning from national, state and local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leaders. Responses that are not culturally safe will risk adding to vaccine hesitancy and disengagement with public health orders and add to the trauma experienced by Aboriginal people amid a public health emergency.
Donna Murray, CEO of Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA), said there are “huge risks” in “shipping out” mainstream health teams that have not worked before in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities or done cultural safety training. Failure to understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of “knowing, being and doing” often ends up in non-Indigenous people and services making uninformed judgements or blaming communities “and then that turns people off being vaccinated”, she said.
You can read the article in Croakey Health Mediahere.
Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service’s Belinda Woodham, Scott Porter & Katrina Ward joined by volunteers from @Uni_Newcastle School Nursing & Midwifery Professors Amanda Johnson, Rhonda Wilson, Donna Hartz with Managers Sally Loughnan & Tabitha Jones of Royal Flying Doctor Service. Photo courtesy of Dharriwaa Elders Group, Croakey Health Media.
COVID-19 arrives in Bourke
The Army has been called into western NSW, and drive-through clinics are being set up in Dubbo, in a race to vaccinate the community as the COVID outbreak worsens. The outback town of Bourke had its first case confirmed earlier this week, along with further cases in Dubbo, Walgett and Mudgee.
“Nearly 40 per cent are kids between the ages of 10 and 19,” Western NSW Health’s Mr McLachlan said.
“This is a really serious warning for parents of kids running around everywhere at the moment. Please stay home.”
Mr McLachlan said there were low rates of vaccination among Aboriginal children and called on people to get vaccinated, and stressed that Pfizer is available. He urged residents to reach out to local Aboriginal Medical Centres, GP’s, vaccination hubs, respiratory clinics and prompted use of the Health Direct website.
You can read the article online at the NITVwebsite.
To check where you can get your vaccine, visit the Health Direct website here.
Sign for Bourke Aboriginal Health Service. Image source: NITV website.
AMA calls for mandatory vaccination of health care workers
The AMA is calling for mandatory vaccinations for the workforce of the entire health care system including support staff like cleaners, receptionists and contractors as soon as practical. The AMA says public health orders to mandate vaccinations should begin in hospitals, then the wider health system.
With worrying numbers of COVID-19-infected frontline workers furloughed and unable to work, as well as several clusters being linked to hospitals, AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid said mandatory vaccines for healthcare workers are needed to sustain the health system into the future as we learn to live with COVID-19.
“We need to bring these workers and the environment they work in, out of crisis mode and the first step towards that is to protect them through vaccination. This is about health care worker safety and the safety of patients, and not about vaccines by force,” Dr Khorshid said.
Person receiving vaccine. Image source: AMA website. Feature image: AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid.
First COVID death among mob
“We would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and to the community of the Dubbo man who passed away yesterday. We are very saddened by this news and it was something that we tried to avoid and did our best to date. But this just goes to show how deadly and invasive the Delta variant of the virus is and why it is absolutely essential for all of our people from age 12 up to have the vaccinations which are now readily available. I encourage everybody to go and get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
NACCHO CEO Pat Turner AM
You can watch the interview with Ms Turner from last night’s episode of The Drum on ABChere.
Find out where you can get your vaccine via the Department of Health’s Eligibility Checkerhere.
NACCHO CEO Pat Turner AM on The Drum Monday 30 August 2021.
Orange AMS providing mobile COVID testing
With Indigenous people continuing to represent two thirds of confirmed COVID cases across the Western NSW Local Health District, Orange Aboriginal Medical Service (OAMS) has been providing mobile testing.
OAMS practice manager Christie Cain said that between Tuesday, August 24, – when the rapid-testing clinic was first mobilised – and Monday morning, 225 people had been swabbed for COVID in Orange so far. According to Mrs Cain, the clinic which had been rolled out in partnership with the Western NSW Local Health District, was to assist those in Orange having difficulties getting to testing clinics.
“We’re prioritising, at the moment, patients of close contacts [and] vulnerable communities that aren’t able to get to a clinic,” Mrs Cain said.
“That’s anyone, even if they’re not asymptomatic, they’ll call through to a switch, and then they are booked in, and then allocated to a team who will then go out.”
You can read the article in The Central Western Daily here.
SWAB MOBILE: Cathy Gutterson, Tania Biddle and Peter Fuller from OAMS are making sure no-one misses out on testing. PHOTO: CARLA FREEDMAN
Clarification on COVID-19 vaccine information for 12-15 year-olds
In yesterday’s issue of the NACCHO Aboriginal Health News: 12-15 year olds now eligible for vaccine, we shared the following three media releases:
a joint media release by The Hon. Scott Morrison MP Prime Minister, The Hon. Greg Hunt MP Minister for Health and Aged Care, and The Hon. Alan Tudge MP Minister for Education and Youth: Children aged 12 to 15 years now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine
NACCHO would like to clarify that this information, while accurate, refers to the overall Australian population and that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 12 and over have been eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine since 2 August 2021. You can read the statement from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisationhere.
Up-to-date information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples about COVID-19 vaccines can be foundhere.
We apologies if this caused any confusion to our readers.
Co-founder of Awabakal remembered
We warn our readers that this story mentions people and contain images of people who have passed on.
Co-founder of the Awabakal Newcastle Aboriginal Co-operative, William Edward Smith died from pancreatic cancer in Newcastle on Sunday. He was aged 83.
Living on Awabakal land and as an elder, Bill Smith helped others puts down roots. In the mid-1970s, he was involved in establishing the Awabakal Newcastle Aboriginal Co-operative, assisting with everything from housing to health.
“It’s made a lot of difference, especially on the medical, on the health side of our people,” said Bill’s older son Edward Smith.
“He was such a beautiful man. He was such a trailblazer for his generation, and he embraced everyone around him with such warmth,” said Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.
Saretta Fielding, Bill Smith’s niece and an acclaimed artist, said her uncle “led the way”.
“He built bridges over many years,” Mrs Fielding said, “to create better opportunities for Aboriginal people, but also in being inclusive and welcoming to the broader community, to work together towards reconciliation and to really understand each other.”
You can read the story in the Newcastle Herald here.
Indigenous leader and businessman Bill Smith. Picture: Courtesy, Paul Szumilas and Smith Family.
COVID-19 support for communities
The COVID-19 Aboriginal Community Response Program has opened today. Quick response grants of up to $10,000 are available for Aboriginal community organisations and groups to meet the immediate health and wellbeing needs of Aboriginal people across the state as part of Aboriginal Affairs NSW’s COVID-19 response strategy.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Don Harwin said the grants would help to provide Aboriginal communities with targeted COVID-19 information and assistance from trusted services.
Read the media release by the NSW Government Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Don Harwin here.
Image source: NSW Government Aboriginal Affairs website.
GPs urged to review accreditation arrangements
GPs are being urged to have their say on a new review of general practice accreditation arrangements.
The independent review, commissioned by the Department of Health, has been designed to reveal the barriers and incentives for general practices participating in accreditation, and highlight areas for improvement. It will also explore existing accreditation models, issues for accrediting agencies providing services to general practices, alternate accreditation models, and potential overlaps between general practice and educational accreditation.
RACGP Expert Committee – Standards for General Practices Chair Dr Louise Acland is encouraging anyone who has an interest or experience with accreditation to provide feedback, including GPs, practice owners, practice managers and nursing staff.
Female doctor working on laptop at desk in office. Image credit: RACGP website.
Seeking members for TGA committees
Would you like to contribute to the regulation of therapeutic goods in Australia? Have you considered becoming a member of one of the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s committees?
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is seeking applications from medical and scientific experts to fill a number of upcoming vacancies across TGA’s Statutory Advisory Committees and the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee. You must have expertise in relevant medical or scientific fields or experience with consumer health issues.
As a committee member you will contribute significantly towards the TGA’s regulatory functions by providing independent expert advice on matters across a broad spectrum of issues relating to medicines, devices, vaccines and other products and substances.
Further information about the roles of the TGA Statutory Advisory Committees can be found here, and for the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee can be found here.
If you have the appropriate expertise and are interested in contributing to the regulation of therapeutic goods in Australia, we would like to hear from you.
Applications close this week, contact NACCHO on medicines@naccho.org.au if you won’t be able to apply in this time or if you have any questions.
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.
Let’s CHAT Dementia – Webinar Series
Dementia is a rapidly growing health issue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Let’s CHAT (Community Health Approaches To) Dementia is a NHMRC-funded co-design project based in 12 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services across Australia which aims to optimise detection and management of cognitive impairment in primary care.
In collaboration with Dementia Training Australia, the Let’s CHAT Dementia team and partners bring you a six-part series of webinars aimed at primary health care teams including General Practitioners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners and health workers, nurses, allied health professionals and others who work in primary care with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Webinar One: Best Practice Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Care 2 September 2021 – Online 7:00pm (AEST), 6:30pm (ACDT), 5:00pm (AWST)
This event is funded by the Australian Government and free to attend.
A Certificate of Attendance will be provided to attendees at the end of the event.
Presenters:
Dr Mary Belfrage, Clinical Lead NACCHO-RACGP Partnership Project, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Professor Constance Dimity Pond, Professor of General Practice, University of Newcastle
Find out more about the webinars and how to register here.
Image source: Dementia Training Australia website.
