Category Cultural safety

NACCHO Sector News: 18 November 2025

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News

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.

Worsening suicide crisis requires urgent national action, say Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak groups

Content warning: this article contains reference to suicide. Please refer to the services at the bottom of this article for support.

The Commonwealth, State and Territory governments must accelerate their investment in community-led suicide prevention initiatives, say three leading mental health groups, responding to a further increase in suicides of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Data for 2024, released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics*, shows:

  • Suicides of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have increased to 306 – the highest number ever and an 8% increase on 283 suicides in 2023. This is the third consecutive year of increase.
  • The suicide rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women has fallen slightly while for men it has risen. Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who die by suicide, four in five are male.
  • Western Australia and South Australia had the highest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide rates. NSW recorded the greatest increase in suicides of Aboriginal people, with the rate doubling in the past decade.
  • There were 70 suicides of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children between 2021 and 2024, a quarter of whom were aged 14 or younger. Of all deaths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, 21% were suicides.
  • The trend in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicides contrasts with non-Aboriginal Australians, in whom there has been a slight reduction for both males and females.

The further deterioration means suicide will remain among four of a total 17 outcomes under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap that are deemed “worsening, not on track”, alongside child development, child removals and incarceration rates.

Read the full media release

If this article brought up anything for you or someone you love, please reach out to, call or visit the resources listed below for support.

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), Centre of Best Practice in in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP) and Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia (GDPSA) logos

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP) and Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia (GDPSA)

Orange Aboriginal Medical Service (OAMS) – Own it in Orange: Women choosing screening their way

On Wiradjuri Country, the team at Orange Aboriginal Medical Service (OAMS) has rewritten what cervical screening looks and feels like for women. The service’s approach is grounded in listening first and in understanding the personal, cultural, and emotional factors that shape each woman’s decision to screen. Screening has shifted from something avoided to something embraced, because the process now starts with respect.
Self-collection has been a turning point. For many women, it removes the discomfort and loss of privacy that once kept them away. At OAMS, Aboriginal Health Workers and nurses introduce the option gently, in everyday health conversations about family, wellbeing, and chronic-disease prevention and care. The emphasis is not on ticking a box but on ensuring every woman feels safe, informed, and in control.
“When women feel safe and supported to take that step, it’s not just about prevention, it’s about confidence and caring for families over the long term,” said Anne-Marie Mepham, Chronic Disease Coordinator.

Read the full case study.

Orange Aboriginal Medical Service Chrystal, Emma, Pete, Anne-Marie

Orange Aboriginal Medical Service Chrystal, Emma, Pete, Anne-Marie

Eye care partnership looks to support First Nations optometrists

A new scholarship initiative will support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander optometrists or optometry students to attend leading national conferences during 2025–2026. Intended to foster professional development, culturally safe networking and leadership pathways, the Optometry Australia Scholarship Fund for First Nations Optometrists and Students is the result of a partnership between Alcon and Optometry Australia.

Supported events include:

  • the 2025 Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) National Conference, Kabi Kabi Country (Sunshine Coast), 24–26 November 2025;
  • the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference (NATSIEHC26), Naarm (Melbourne), Wurundjeri Country, 11–13 May 2026; and
  • Optometry Australia’s Optometry Clinical Conference (OCC 2026), Meanjin (Brisbane), 9–10 August 2026.

Read the full article.

Image: Ronak Patel, Country Franchise Head, Vision Care at Alcon (supplied).

Image: Ronak Patel, Country Franchise Head, Vision Care at Alcon (supplied).

A retrospective cross‐sectional analysis of the economic impact of environmental risk factors on inpatient hospital separations in the Northern Territory

Abstract

Objectives: To quantify the cost of hospital separations attributable to environmental risk factors in the Northern Territory, including for Indigenous and remote subgroups.

Study design: A retrospective cross‐sectional secondary data analysis of hospital separations data. Data collection, analysis and presentation were guided by our Indigenous Steering Committee.

Setting and participants: All episodes of care from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 with an inpatient separation (discharge, transfer, death) from NT public hospitals were included. Non‐inpatient episodes of care (outpatient, emergency department and primary care presentations) were excluded.

Major outcome measures: Individual hospital separations were classified as environmentally attributable if the International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems, 10th revision, Australian modification (ICD‐10‐AM) code for their primary diagnosis matched an included disease. Included diseases were based on environmental attributable fractions previously generated for the Kimberley region, contextualised to the NT. Costs were assigned to individual hospital separations based on activity‐based funding allocations.

Read the full article.

 

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.

 

Email us your story with some images to: NACCHOCommunicationsandMedia@naccho.org.au and we will feature it in the news.

Email us your story with some images to: NACCHOCommunicationsandMedia@naccho.org.au
and we will feature it in the news.

NACCHO Sector News: 14 November 2025

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News

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.

NACCHO Media Release: World Diabetes Day 2025: Building the Workforce, Strengthening Community, and Closing the Gap

Today, on World Diabetes Day, NACCHO and the Bupa Foundation are shining a light on the power of community-led action to change the trajectory of diabetes across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

While the rate of diabetes-related deaths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has fallen, from 100 per 100,000 in 2008 to 70 per 100,000 in 2019, diabetes still contributes to 7.3 per cent of all deaths and continues to affect families across generations. In some regions, rates of type 2 diabetes are among the highest in the world.

Through the NACCHO | Bupa Foundation Health Strong, Diabetes Gone partnership, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are taking the next step, strengthening their workforce, improving early detection and prevention, and ensuring that culturally informed care is led from within.

Read the full media release.

NACCHO CEO Pat Turner said: “This is not about short-term fixes or symbolic gestures; it’s about investing in people, in training, and in the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

NACCHO CEO Pat Turner said: “This is not about short-term fixes or symbolic gestures; it’s about investing in people, in training, and in the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.”

New country Victoria hub for Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative

Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative Limited have moved into its new digs in Victoria’s Wimmera region, following a $1 million contribution from the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation.

GGAC’s new community hub, ‘Dalki Guli’, in Horsham, will be a service centre for the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Jupagulk, and Wergaia peoples of the region.

The Aboriginal community-controlled health organisation, which delivers health, welfare, and family services to Indigenous people, had outgrown its previous home.

The new hub, which employs 22 First Nations people, will provide GGAC more space to deliver its programs, including various Indigenous training and employment opportunities to help empower future generations within the region.

Goolum Goolum board chairperson, Jake Goodes, said the hub had been designed to create an environment that feels welcoming, safe, and healing.

“One of our proudest milestones this year has been the official opening of the Dalki Guli Hub,” he said.

Read the full article.

Image: GGAC.

Image: GGAC.

New Great Southern Indigenous Healing Service for FDV youth

A new Indigenous Healing Service (IHS) for Aboriginal children and young people aged 5-18 impacted by family and domestic violence in the Great Southern will be delivered by Yorgum Healing Services Aboriginal Corporation.

  • Yorgum Healing Services Aboriginal Corporation to deliver new Indigenous Healing Service in the Great Southern
  • The Albany-based service will support Aboriginal children and young people impacted by family and domestic violence
  • Part of an $8.2 million package to deliver accessible therapeutic services to children and young people affected by family violence

A new Indigenous Healing Service (IHS) for Aboriginal children and young people aged 5-18 impacted by family and domestic violence in the Great Southern will be delivered by Yorgum Healing Services Aboriginal Corporation.

Based in Albany, the new service recognises Aboriginal children, young people and families who experience disproportionate levels of family and domestic violence, with devastating impacts on health and wellbeing.

It forms part of the Cook Government’s $8.2 million package to deliver accessible therapeutic healing services to children and young people affected by family violence.

Read the full article

North Australia Centre for Autonomous Systems completes medical drop via drone

Cut off by floods and running low on medical supplies, a remote community had to think outside the box to save a life. With the help of an expert team nearby, history was made.

A team of Northern Territory researchers made Australian history this week when they used their drone to deliver essential medication to a remote community.

On Wednesday evening, health workers at Gunbalunya Health Centre were treating a patient who had gone into cardiac arrest when they were forced to think outside the box.

The clinic was running low on medication and turned to its neighboring community, Jabiru, to lend a hand.

Jabiru Health Centre had what they needed, but was cut off due to flooding.

However, a tight-knit team from Charles Darwin University – the North Australia Centre for Autonomous Systems (NACAS) – happened to be stationed in the region where they had been testing their drone.

Read the full article.

North Australia Centre for Autonomous Systems have successfully delivered medical supplies via a drone in remote NT.

North Australia Centre for Autonomous Systems have successfully delivered medical supplies via a drone in remote NT.

Connection to ‘family, culture, and education’ key to youth justice, not jail time, says Indigenous advocate

Justice advocacy group ‘Change the Record’ has condemned the Victorian government’s plan to introduce “adult time for violent crime” legislation, which would see children as young as 14 tried, sentenced and imprisoned as adults.

Change the Record said on Thursday that the “dangerous” laws will “expose vulnerable children to longer, harsher sentences – including life imprisonment – and will disproportionately target First Nations children”.

Change the Record CEO and Indigenous justice advocate Jade Lane said the state government’s proposal “takes us in the wrong direction as a society”.

“We must seek to help and nurture children at every opportunity, particularly vulnerable children at risk of contact with the criminal legal system. The Victorian government should be investing in First Nations-led, community-based solutions that are proven to address the underlying health, social and economic drivers of offending,” she said.

Read the full article.

Children as young as 14 could spend up to life in prison for some offences under proposed new Victorian legislation. Image: Dechlan Brennan.

Children as young as 14 could spend up to life in prison for some offences under proposed new Victorian legislation. Image: Dechlan Brennan.

 

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.

 

Email us your story with some images to: NACCHOCommunicationsandMedia@naccho.org.au and we will feature it in the news.

Email us your story with some images to: NACCHOCommunicationsandMedia@naccho.org.au
and we will feature it in the news.

NACCHO Sector News: 7 October 2025

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News

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.

CSIRO report highlights need for First Nations-led approach to AI in healthcare

Scientists from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, together with First Nations partner organisations, have found that artificial intelligence (AI) has potential to improve healthcare in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. However, its safe and effective use must be guided by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and knowledges.

Aboriginal man from Iningai Country in Western Queensland and CSIRO Research Scientist and lead author Dr Andrew Goodman said current frameworks for AI development and application tended to be overly general and insufficiently detailed in relation to cultural diversity.

“In Australia, this has resulted in a gap in understanding of how AI can serve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Dr Goodman said.

The Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare in Australian First Nations Communities: Scoping Project to Explore Relevance addresses this gap. The scoping project engaged 53 leaders, clinicians, researchers, and health service providers across four workshops between 2023 and 2025.

“Although these are early findings, this report provides a critical starting point for how to build responsible AI systems in technology such as apps and data collection to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare outcomes,” said Dr Goodman.

The consultations identified three critical priorities for responsible AI use in First Nations health:

  • Building AI health literacy and cultural appropriateness by ensuring communities understand how AI works, what data it uses, and how it can support day-to-day care.
  • Protecting First Nations data sovereignty by guaranteeing that health data is held, governed, and used under the custodianship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.
  • Supporting self-determination by placing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations at the centre of AI design, implementation, and oversight.
  • These findings underscore the importance of embedding cultural knowledge in the design of AI systems.

Read the full article.

Family support service to keep Mid West and Gascoyne children safe at home

A vital service aimed at keeping children safe and reducing the number of WA youth entering out-of-home care is changing hands.

The Intensive Family Support Service, funded by the Department of Communities, will soon be delivered by MercyCare in partnership with Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation.

The program, which will slowly be rolled out from October 20, will offer in-home, practical help to families facing significant challenges, including poverty, housing instability and limited access to services.

Under the initiative, up to 45 families in Geraldton, Carnarvon, Meekatharra and nearby towns will receive intensive support each year over the next five years.

MercyCare’s general manager of youth, wellbeing and accommodation services Suzanne Caren said the program was designed to address the unique pressures affecting regional families in WA.

“Many families here are navigating remote living, housing shortages, unemployment and limited access to childcare and essential services,” she said.

“These challenges don’t just affect parents, they directly impact children’s safety, wellbeing and development. Without the right support, families can become isolated and overwhelmed and that’s when children are most at-risk of entering care.”

Read the full article

Suzanne Caren is MercyCare's general manager of youth, wellbeing and accommodation.

Suzanne Caren is MercyCare’s general manager of youth, wellbeing and accommodation. Credit: Jessica Antoniou/Kalgoorlie Miner

Racism a major issue in healthcare: RACGP Health of the Nation

Almost one third of GPs witnessed racism towards patients in the health system in the past year, according to the RACGP’s 2025 Health of the Nation report.

The nationwide survey of more than 2400 RACGP members also found that around two in 10 GPs personally experienced racism from a patient within their practice during that time, while one in 10 personally experienced racism from a colleague.

RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said these figures, along with separate statistics showing 30% of GPs have observed racism towards patients in the broader health system, are symptoms of a larger systemic issue.

“Racism in the health system is an issue that affects healthcare workers and patients alike. It is not something we can ignore, and it is certainly not something that will fix itself,” he said.

“These findings make it very clear that both action and resources are needed to tackle systemic racism in the health system, including general practice.

“The message is unmistakeable: Racism is bad for people’s health, and patients and GPs must be protected from it.”

Dr Wright said the RACGP has taken steps to address racism, such as implementing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural and health training framework to support culturally safe care, but called for wider action to eliminate racism across the health system.

Read the full article.

$5.5million First Nations Heritage Grants Program funds cultural preservation

A program designed to transfer knowledge from elders to younger generations and document cultural sites in the Kimberley has received a $200,000 funding boost.

The Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation, located in the far north Kimberley, will use the grant from the State Government’s First Nations Heritage Grants Program to conduct cultural workshops and document significant cultural sites across the Wunambal Gaambera Country.

This vast region covers 2.5 million hectares of land (graa) and sea (wundaagu) and is part of the Uunguu Indigenous Protected Area, a Category VI IUCN Managed Resource Area, which is declared and managed by the Wunambal Gaambera people.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, said the funding highlighted the Government’s commitment to recognising and preserving the cultural importance of First Nations sites across the nation.

“The Albanese Government is dedicated to enhancing the recognition of First Nations cultural heritage at World and National Heritage-listed places,” she said.

“Our country is rich in natural and culturally significant sites that are crucial for First Nations peoples. These locations need protection, and we are proud to work alongside Traditional Owners to ensure this happens.”

Read the full article.

Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation, Uunguu Rangers completed a week of mapping and monitoring balguja (dugong) and jala (seagrass) in the Uunguu Indigenous Protected Area.

Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation, Uunguu Rangers completed a week of mapping and monitoring balguja (dugong) and jala (seagrass) in the Uunguu Indigenous Protected Area. Credit: Supplied by Wunambal Gaambera

 

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.

 

Email us your story with some images to: NACCHOCommunicationsandMedia@naccho.org.au and we will feature it in the news.

Email us your story with some images to: NACCHOCommunicationsandMedia@naccho.org.au
and we will feature it in the news.

NACCHO Sector News: 25 March 2025

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.

Independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-Led Review of Closing the Gap

The Independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-Led Review is a national initiative that captures the perspectives and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people involved in the implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (National Agreement).

The Independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led review occurs after each Productivity Commission Review and is an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to shape the future actions of the Priority Reforms in the National Agreement. This process is about understanding lived experiences, celebrating successes, and identifying where to build momentum in relation to the National Agreement.

There are many ways Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can contribute to the Independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led review including:

  • A national online survey
  • A national submission process
  • Intensive forums in the six place-based partnerships (Clause 39) locations in the East Kimberley (WA), Maningrida (NT), Doomadgee (QLD), Tamworth (NSW), Gippsland (VIC), and the Western Suburbs of Adelaide (SA).
  • Stakeholder interviews
  • An in-person assembly of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives to be held on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country (Canberra) in April 2025

Learn more here.

Image source: Coalition of Peaks.

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service mental health questionnaire

This questionnaire aims to gather insights on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention/ Intervention or after care experiences, including post suicide support within the ACT Region, including: Queanbeyan, and Yass. The questionnaire places a strong focus on accessibility, effectiveness, and cultural safety of services we need to access.

The information will help identify service gaps, improve support programs and design culturally safe community led initiatives.

All information is shared is kept confidential and contributes to building a program that is responsive to the local community needs.

To complete the survey, go here.

Image source: Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service

Introduction to Indigenous Psychology

Introduction to Indigenous Psychology is the first in a three-part video series, providing foundational learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural knowledges, and exploring contemporary global issues.

This series will encourage self-reflection on individual roles as a student, emerging psychologist or researcher, and how to be a better ally, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and social justice.

To watch the video, go here.

Connecting culture and care at Ipswich Hospital

Ty Cleary says his role supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients brings a strong sense of pride and connection to community. Mr Cleary is the Indigenous Liaison Service Coordinator at West Moreton Health in Ipswich, QLD. The Mununjali and Undambi man said his work focuses on ensuring cultural and spiritual needs were met within the hospital system.

“An important part of my work is ensuring the Indigenous Hospital Liaison Service meets the cultural and spiritual needs of the community,” he said.

“It’s also about supporting clinicians by educating them around culturally appropriate communication and care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.”

Read more here.

Ty Cleary is leading efforts at West Moreton Health to improve culturally appropriate care for Indigenous patients. (Image: Supplied/West Moreton Health)

New Safe Aboriginal Youth program for Tamworth

Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, Winanga-Li has been selected to roll out the Safe Aboriginal Youth (SAY) program to Tamworth as part of the NSW Government’s multi-agency plan to address youth crime and make communities safer.

SAY is a community-based service that provides supervised activities and safe transport for Aboriginal young people aged 12 to 18 years, helping them stay safe after dark.

It is designed to divert young people away from harmful activities and reduce the likelihood of criminal involvement, while also reducing the risk of them becoming victims of crime.

Read more here.

Image source: Winanga-Li

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.

NACCHO Sector News: 19 March 2025

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.

Webinar: Launch of the Australian Clinical Guidelines on HTLV-1 for Aboriginal Primary Health Care Settings

This webinar will launch the Australian Clinical Guidelines on HTLV-1 for Aboriginal Primary Health Care Settings. These guidelines are a comprehensive, culturally safe and evidence-based guide to the prevention, testing, diagnosis, management and care of Human T-lymphotropic virus subtype 1 (HTLV-1).

Date, Time & Venue

  • Monday, 24 March 2025 | 12:00pm – 1:00pm (AEDT)
  • Online via Teams

Target Audience

  • All healthcare workers, particularly those working in the Northern Territory, APY Lands and NG lands.

Register here.

Webinar: Launch of the Australian Clinical Guidelines on HTLV-1 for Aboriginal Primary Health Care Settings

2025 NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacist Scholarship

Apply now for the 2025 NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacist Scholarship!

The scholarship program aims to build the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacist workforce and to raise the profile of the beneficial role that pharmacy and pharmacists can play in supporting appropriate and culturally safe care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Each recipient will receive up to $10,000 per annum to contribute to university expenses. The scholarship also includes support and mentorship from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals and organisations to ensure ongoing integration and connection with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health sector.

Applications close 24 March 2025.

For questions or further information, please contact Harrison Milne on 0481257904 or harrison.milne@naccho.org.au.

*Proudly supported by a grant from Sanofi

A new culturally rich app for Anangu mothers

The Tjitjiku Mai (children’s food) app features a food database including bush food and food found in community stores. The app also has an interactive recipes library with step-by-step videos, meditations and children’s songs all presented in Pitjantjatjara, Ngaanyatjarra and English.

The app offers accessible, culturally relevant health resources and a step toward improving health outcomes for Aboriginal families living in the NPY lands.

Learn more here.

Image source: NPY Women’s Council

Cultural Centre honouring the life and legacy of Lowitja O’Donoghue to open in Canberra

A new centre commemorating the life of Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG will open in Canberra on Wednesday at the Australian National University.

The Yankunytjatjara woman and one of Australia’s most respected and prominent Aboriginal leaders passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on Kaurna Country, Adelaide, last year.

Her life will be celebrated with the opening of the Lowitja O’Donoghue Cultural Centre.

Deb Edwards, Dr O’Donoghue’s niece and Head of the Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation said the family were “very proud”.

“…Her incredible legacy, and lifelong dedication to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, is now reflected through the naming of the Cultural Centre, where community can gather together, enthused with a feeling of unity, connection and culture, as Dr O’Donoghue always encouraged.”

Read more here.

A cultural centre honouring the late Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue will open in Canberra on Wednesday. (Image: Leanne King/Lowitja Institute)

Video series: Climate-ready and culturally appropriate remote housing

This three-part video series tells the story of Wilya Janta, in language, so that remote communities can see how homes could and should be built for culture and climate.

The idea for Wilya Janta was born from a need to resolve the Territory’s remote housing crisis, where unsuitable, overheated, and overcrowded housing is making communities sick.

Watch the first video, featured in Pintupi-Luritja with English subtitles here.

Image source: Wilya Janta

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.

Governance Workshops for ACCHOs: Melbourne, VIC

ACCHOs…Free Governance Workshops are coming your way in 2025! Melbourne you’re up first: Wednesday 26 March & Thursday 27 March.

To register, go here.

NACCHO’s Governance Workshops are designed for people working in member ACCHOs and run by legal and other experts in the field.

The workshops cover:

  • Principles of good governance.
  • Managing conflicts of interest.
  • Managing risk (e.g. contract execution, etc.).
  • Delegation of powers.
  • Finance for Boards.
  • Structure and role of boards and sub-committees; and
  • Governance documents.

NACCHO Sector News: 28 February 2025

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.

RACGP-NACCHO agreement continues commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

NACCHO and The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) have furthered their commitment to jointly advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health by signing their third Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

This MOU between the two organisations will see ongoing work and shared advocacy for effective, culturally safe and clinically appropriate healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities across the country.

NACCHO CEO Pat Turner reaffirmed the significance of this partnership in strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare.

“Renewing our collaboration with the RACGP reinforces our commitment to strengthening healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. For over a decade, this alliance has driven advocacy, informed policy, and supported high-quality, community-led care through our ACCHOs,” she said.

“This agreement highlights the critical role of ACCHOs in delivering culturally safe, comprehensive care. It also underscores the need for genuine cooperation that prioritises equity, self-determination, and the elimination of racism in healthcare.

“We look forward to continuing our partnership with RACGP to drive systemic change, shape policies, and create healthier communities.”

Read more here.

NACCHO and RACGP signing their third MOU.

Maximise Medicare for your ACCHO

NACCHO, with support from the National Indigenous Australians Agency has free online courses to help ACCHO staff improve Medicare claiming and utilisation of other primary care funding sources.

The purpose of this training is to strengthen the sectors capacity to deliver high quality, responsive, and culturally appropriate health services contributing to improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

A number of courses are available for free to anyone working within the ACCHO sector:

  1. ACCHO Orientation
  2. Medicare in ACCHOs
  3. Practice Incentive Items
  4. National Key Performance Indicators

These courses are fully accredited by the:

  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP),
  • Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), and
  • National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workers in Health Practice (NAATSIWHIP).

For more information, go here.

To register, go here.

Exploring bush medicine in contemporary healthcare

Southern Cross University researcher Dr Alana Gall, who recently became an ANSTO research Fellow, has been awarded more than $640,000 to lead a research program focused on First Peoples’ Cultural Medicines (also called bush medicine) in Australian healthcare.

The grant is part of the prestigious $422-million National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Investigator Grants scheme, funded by the Federal government.

Dr Gall’s project spans two key areas. The first is embedding Cultural Medicines into Australian health policies to improve cultural safety, health and wellbeing. The second is to protect Cultural Medicine knowledge through research that informs research and development in drug discovery, and regulation and intellectual property legislation, to realise the self-determination of First Peoples and their communities.

“Despite initiatives, including Closing the Gap, disparities persist in health outcomes for First Nations peoples. We need to focus on community-driven solutions that align with First Peoples’ ways of knowing, being and doing,” said Dr Gall.

“This encompasses plant medicines, native foods, healing ceremonies, spiritual medicine, Traditional Healers, and both the tangible and intangible healing aspects of Country.”

Dr Gall’s project has the backing of three major partners: the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), CSIRO, and ANSTO.

Read more here.

Dr Alana Gall. Image source: ANSTO.

Remote NT community health staff celebrate upskilling in Alice Springs

Eight remote health workers are eager to get back to their communities and put their new training to use after they upskilled and graduated. At a graduation at the Desert Knowledge Precinct, south of Alice Springs on Thursday, they received their Certificate III training in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care.

Jabison Williams, from Yuendumu, said he was excited to get back to his community and use his new skills.

While some of the study was “hard” he said completing it made him “strong” and his “kids and my family proud”.

NT Health Minister Steve Edgington said completing the training better equipped the workers to provide primary care in their communities.

“Aboriginal community workers within health services help bridge gaps and deliver culturally appropriate care to their communities,” he said.

“They are role models and building capacity through training ensures they continue to provide high-quality effective care that is tailored to the unique needs of their communities, in partnership with other health professionals.”

Read more here.

Charlene Malbunka, Clarence Campbell, Doreena Stirling. Geisha Tilmouth, Jabison Williams, Katricia Campbell, Rachel Kantawara, and Patricia O’Donohue and graduated their Certificate III training in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care at the Desert Knowledge Precinct. Picture: Gera Kazakov

NACCHO Maternal and Child Health Newsletter

NACCHO is excited to introduce our bi-monthly Maternal and Child Health Newsletter subscription!

To sign up, go here.

Image credit: NACCHO

Image credit: NACCHO

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.

NACCHO Sector News: 21 February 2025

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.

Wellbeing centre supporting Indigenous mental health to open in SA

A dedicated social and emotional wellbeing centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in South Australia will be established, with an interim service set to open by the end of 2025. The Commonwealth and South Australian Governments are jointly funding the centre under the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, with a total of $10.8 million commitment to the project.

Located in Adelaide’s CBD, the centre will provide mental health support and wellbeing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children across South Australia. It will offer holistic and culturally appropriate care, including traditional healing methods. Staff will assist in coordinating care, including referrals to community mental health services, social and emotional wellbeing programs, primary care services, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.

Read the full National Indigenous Times article here.

The jointly-funded $10.8 million First Nations wellbeing centre will open in Adelaide by the end of this year. (Image: Brendan Radke/NT News)

Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services: Monthly breast cancer bus screenings

Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services is thrilled to announce an ongoing partnership with Breast Screen to deliver monthly Ngnumus Bus Screenings. These events are more than just an opportunity to check in on our health; they’re a celebration of community, connection, and support among women.

Every month, these screenings not only help detect early signs of breast cancer, but they also provide a wonderful space for yarning, sharing stories, and laughing together. It’s about building a supportive community where we can uplift one another.

Learn more here.

Image source: Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services

Making genomic care equitable, accessible – and culturally safe

The ANU NCIG (National Centre for Indigenous Genomics) (NCIG) is set to create Australia’s first genomic healthcare resources specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. That means Mob can soon access culturally safe information to help navigate genomic care.

The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) says it is “incredibly proud to support NCIG’s vital work. Together, we’re making genomic care more equitable, accessible and culturally safe for Mob.”

Learn more here.

Pictured: VACCHO in Larrakia Country, Darwin, to workshop genomic healthcare equity with NCIG.

2025 ‘Leading Our Ways’ IAHA NT Workforce Development Leadership Program

Applications are still open for the 2025 ‘Leading Our Ways’ IAHA NT Workforce Development Leadership Program.

The ‘Leading Our Ways’ Program is a culturally centred and practical leadership program co-designed by mob for mob. Guided by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of working – including knowing, being and doing, the Program develops the attributes and skills to become an effective, culturally responsive Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander leader.

The Program is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living and working in the NT in a role that supports the health and wellbeing of our communities (health, disability, mental health, education, training, housing, social services, land management and conversation etc.)

Applications close COB 28 February 2025.

To apply, go here.

Image source: IAHA

NACCHO Maternal and Child Health Newsletter

NACCHO is excited to introduce our bi-monthly Maternal and Child Health Newsletter subscription!

To sign up, go here.

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

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

NACCHO Sector News: 14 February 2025

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.

An innovative study, co-designed by Aboriginal Women, has led to remission of type 2 diabetes

The research described and measured how using Shared Medical Appointments, continuous glucose monitors and a sustainable, culturally relevant food program can develop self-management knowledge, skills and motivation to drastically improve glycaemic control in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

The groundbreaking study is the first of its kind in Australia, led by South Coast Women’s Health and Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation (Waminda) in collaboration with Southern Cross University and the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine.

Lead investigator and Southern Cross University lecturer Associate Professor John Stevens said of the 25 women who’d been living with diabetes for more than 10 years, seven women completely reversed their diabetes for at least 12 months, and 18 women reduced their blood sugars to a healthier level.

Hayley Longbottom, Waminda Chief Executive Leader for Health and Wellbeing and co-author says the approach gives Aboriginal women the tools to feel in control to create self-determining outcomes.

“The Continuous Glucose Monitoring, alongside health coaching from diabetes educators, provided a unique experience for these women to learn about their own bodies and not only manage but reverse their diabetes, with Aboriginal Health Practitioners providing long-term support,” Ms Longbottom said.

“These women were empowered to make decisions about what was going to happen, which led to high engagement in the program and remarkable success.”

Read more here.

Women participating in the Waminda group

Stolen Generations survivors need support and urgent action from governments: new report

Nearly 30 years after the landmark Bringing them Home report made wide-ranging recommendations to bring healing and justice for the Stolen Generations, new research documents a collective failure by governments to act.

Only five of 83 recommendations made in the 1997 report have been clearly implemented in the ensuing decades, according to an analysis by University of Canberra researchers that is cited in a new report from the Healing Foundation.

The Healing Foundation’s report, ‘Are you waiting for us to die?’ The unfinished business of Bringing Them Home’, says the “woefully inadequate” responses of successive federal, state and territory governments have created further trauma and distress for the Stolen Generations, their families and wider communities.

The report makes 19 recommendations as part of a proposed National Healing Package for Stolen Generations survivors across six areas: reparations, rehabilitation and research, records, family tracing and reunions, acknowledgements and apologies, education and training, and monitoring and accountability.

Read the Croakey Health Media article here.

On the 17th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations, more than 60 survivors and support people gathered in Canberra for the annual Apology anniversary breakfast at Parliament House. Image source: Healing Foundation.

AFL Social, Emotional and Cultural Wellbeing Framework

The AFL Social, Emotional and Cultural Wellbeing Framework drew upon the original work of expert SEWB advisors; Professor Helen Milroy AM, Professor Pat Dudgeon AM, Dr Graham Gee, Vanessa Edwige and Tanja Hirvonen.

This work has been contextualised within the framework for Australian Rules football through the lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the AFL.

Pat Turner, NACCHO CEO said:

“…SEWB is our foundation for physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. SEWB takes a holistic view of health. This Framework acknowledges, for the first time, the specific guidance on the importance of Social and Emotional Wellbeing and its determinants for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players and people throughout the football Industry.

“The purpose of this Framework is to support the AFL Industry in contextualising SEWB for the AFL Industry and to provide guidance to AFL Clubs in strengthening SEWB.”

Read the framework here.

Image source: Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention

The Gathering: a unique and powerful conversation to transform Indigenous kidney care

More than 120 people from across the country will come together next week for the second National Indigenous Kidney Transplantation Taskforce (NIKTT) Gathering, a landmark event focused on improving access to kidney transplantation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, carers, and community members will sit and speak alongside non-Indigenous nephrologists, heads of renal units, and health system leaders and discuss how to create better pathways to transplantation and equitable care—ensuring that decisions about kidney health are shaped by the people most affected.

NIKTT’s National Community Engagement Coordinator, a Kaurna, Narungga, and Ngarrindjeri woman Kelli Owen, a kidney transplant recipient herself, said the event “is about making sure people with lived experience of kidney disease are at the centre of the conversation, not just as voices in the room, but as equal contributors in shaping solutions”.

Learn more here.

A scene from the 2022 Gathering. Image: NIKTT.

NACCHO Maternal and Child Health Newsletter EOI

NACCHO is excited to introduce our bi-monthly Maternal and Child Health Newsletter subscription!

To sign up, go here.

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

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

Sector News newsletter: 5 February 2025

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.

Derbarl Yerrigan partnership with Heart Foundation restores vital health program

The Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service (DYHS) and the Heart Foundation have partnered to relaunch the Derbarl Yerrigan Heart Health Program, providing culturally appropriate cardiovascular disease prevention, rehabilitation, and care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Western Australia.

Paused due to COVID-19 funding constraints, the program is being rebuilt over five years to deliver lifesaving heart care. Past participants highlight its impact, from early detection of heart conditions to improving mobility and well-being.

The partnership ensures a community-led, culturally safe approach, empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to prevent and manage heart disease effectively.

To read the full article, go here.

Derbarl Yerrigan Heart Health Program participants keeping fit. Image: J. Harris (Derbarl Yerrigan)

Derbarl Yerrigan Heart Health Program participants keeping fit. Image: J. Harris (Derbarl Yerrigan).

Online learning leads to better Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes

Tiana Thomas is completing her Master’s in Health Service Management at UTS, using her education to improve Aboriginal health outcomes. Working at Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan, she helps provide culturally safe support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families seeking medical care in Cairns.

Her studies have strengthened her skills in healthcare systems and decision-making, enhancing services at Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan. She praises UTS’s strong student support and encourages others to embrace online learning, proving that education can drive meaningful change in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

To read more, go here.

Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan

Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan, Queensland.

New Childcare Bill a Win for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children

The Early Childhood Education and Care (Three Day Guarantee) Bill 2025 will remove barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families by scrapping the activity test and guaranteeing 100 hours of subsidised childcare per fortnight.

SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle called the change “life-changing,” ensuring more First Nations children access early education, developmental support, and allied health services.

The government’s $1 billion investment in 160 new childcare centres prioritising Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) will further improve access in regional and remote areas.

This legislation is a major step toward closing the gap, giving First Nations children a stronger start in life.

To read more, go here.

Image caption: SNAICC chief executive officer Catherine Liddle says proposed early childhood education and care legislation will give more First Nations children the opportunity to flourish. (Image: Ian Redfearn/ABC News)

Image caption: SNAICC chief executive officer Catherine Liddle says proposed early childhood education and care legislation will give more First Nations children the opportunity to flourish. (Image: Ian Redfearn/ABC News)

A Positive step for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in Bathurst

The Kelso Community Hub is set to become home to Wahluu Health Aboriginal Corporation Bathurst, bringing much-needed local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services to the community. This move will improve access to healthcare, create employment opportunities, and support self-determination through an Aboriginal-led service.

The agreement also benefits Bathurst Regional Council, reducing financial losses while ensuring the hub serves the community more effectively. Wahluu Health has also expressed interest in future ownership, paving the way for a sustainable, community-controlled health service.

To read more, go here.

The Kelso Community Hub. Image: From www.centralwesterndaily.com.au

The Kelso Community Hub. Image: From http://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au

Kimberley Hunt Backs Kunjur Men’s Group with Award Donation

Wakaid woman and NRLW Dragons player Kimberley Hunt has directed her Veronica White Medal award donation to the Kunjur Men’s Group, supporting men’s wellbeing and suicide prevention.

Her $3,500 contribution has helped the group upgrade essential equipment for their Men’s Yarning Circles, including a food-safe bain-marie, camp kitchen, and seating, creating a safer and more welcoming space for men to connect and seek support.

The group thanked Hunt for her advocacy, saying her support will have a lasting impact on the mental health and wellbeing of men in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

To read more, go here.

If this article brought up anything for you or someone you love, please reach out to, call or visit the online resources listed below for support. The four organisations in blue offer immediate help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Kunjur Men's Group received new gear through the donation

The Kunjur Men’s Group received new gear through the donation

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.

NACCHO Sector News: 3 February 2025

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.

Cervical screening merchandise available for ACCHOs

Promote cervical screening in your ACCHO! NACCHO currently has remaining cervical screening merchandise available to order (at no cost to ACCHOs) including:

  • Cervical screening polo shorts (please note we only have the following sizes in stock – small, 4XL and 6XL)
  • Self-swab lip-glosses (please note this is a health promotion tool, not a real swab)
  • Self-collection pouches (please note these are for use in the context of a self-collected Cervical Screening Test. Please do not distribute for health promotion purposes).

To place an order, go here.

FLIP THE VAPE: Anti-vaping campaign launched in VIC

The Koori Way, The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) Preventative Health Unit, in collaboration with Mo Works has launched ‘FLIP THE VAPE’ across Victoria. Given the rise of vape usage among young people, 10 young Koori’s across Victoria have taken the pledge to “FLIP THE VAPE” for good, encouraging young people to stop vaping for their health, their Community, and their Country.

From Mildura to Geelong to Bairnsdale to Shepparton and Melbourne, in most parts of Victoria you are likely come across our Flip The Vape campaign at Shopping Centres, on billboards, on public transport, street posters and on several social media platforms.

For support to quit, call Quitline on 13 78 48.

Image source: The Koori Way

Aboriginal homelessness target needed to provide accountability

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in Victoria have met with the federal housing minister to discuss the crisis of homelessness amongst Indigenous communities across the state. In a meeting hosted at the Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation’s Homelessness Entry Point site, Labor Minister Clare O’Neil met with a number of organisations who are members of the Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Forum (AHHF).

“This is a great first step in improving the state of housing for Aboriginal people in Victoria and ensuring that they have a safe home to live in,” Victorian Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisation chief executive, Dr Jill Gallagher, said.

The gathering with Minister O’Neil focussed on several priorities, including the establishment of an appropriate Aboriginal homelessness target in Victoria.

AHHF chair and Aboriginal Housing Victoria chief executive, Darren Smith, said this would “provide the accountability needed to help close the gap”.

“Safe, secure, and culturally appropriate housing is essential to improving health and wellbeing outcomes in our communities,” Mr Smith said.

Read the full National Indigenous Times article here.

Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Forum chair Darren Smith. (Image: supplied, Yoorrook Justice Commission)

Supporting equitable access to kidney transplant in remote WA

In the Kimberley, as in many other rural and remote regions of Australia, End-Stage Kidney Disease is a problem of epidemic proportions, creating a profound impact on communities and individuals forced to relocate from country to access treatment.

Research by Kimberley Renal Services, Royal Perth Hospital, and The Rural Clinical School of Western Australia found that their patients were either suitable for transplant workup or could improve their suitability with help improving their health risk factors and people want more support to achieve these changes. The results will be used to inform model of care development for transplant support within Kimberley Renal Services.

Full results from this study are available online here.

Image source: Unsplash.

Locals in the Torres Strait want homegrown doctors, but they say there are too many barriers

In 1999, Dr Karen Nicholls became the second ever Torres Strait Islander doctor known to graduate from university. Since then, she says there’s been a cultural shift in the health industry’s understanding of the valuable skill sets Indigenous professionals bring to the table.

“We become doctors, we become clinically good, but we can also provide cultural safety with the way in which we do things,” she said.

“…You cannot be clinically safe without being culturally safe – the two go hand in hand.”

Dr Nichols was part of a group of twenty Torres Strait Islander doctors that visited the Torres Strait last year, some connecting with their homelands for the first time. Organised by the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA) and local Elders under the ‘Igilyawa Program’, doctors and students spent time in communities, schools, hospitals and local health services.

The report on the historic visit showed that 82% of the cohort were interested in coming home to work, and 100% were considering ways to further contribute to the health needs of Torres Strait Islanders.

AIDA CEO Donna Burns said the united voice of the doctors was powerful.

“These [doctors] expressed an interest in working back home with community, where we know the health disparity is so great,” she said.

“That cultural understanding will be so powerful in someone’s healing journey, and we are really committed to [advocating] to shake up a system.”

Read the full NITV article here.

Dr Karen Nicholls says being culturally safe means being clinically safe. Supplied: Carli Willis

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.