Category Pharmacy

Sep 21 2023

NACCHO Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health News: Constitutional Reform important for the improvement of health outcomes for Indigenous Australians

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is 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.

Constitutional Reform important for the improvement of health outcomes for Indigenous Australians

Australian Constitutional Reform important for the improvement of health outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

Pat Turner CEO of NACCHO states, “A Voice and recognition of Indigenous Australians is critical if there is going to be long term sustainable improvements to health outcomes for our peoples. Currently programs and policies are at the whim of whoever the Minister is and the senior executives of Government Departments.”

“During COVID we were fortunate that our voices were listened to by the then Minister and Dr Brendan Murphy, Secretary of the Department of Health. There were no deaths of our peoples from COVID in the first 18 months and vaccinations and antivirals were allocated taking into account the level of burden of disease is 2.3 times that of other Australians.

“More recently, Minister Butler has supported our submission to address cancer in our communities.  While the mortality rates have been declining for non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for at least two decades, there has been an uptrend in cancer mortality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

The situation is far worse in regional, remote and very remote areas. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are less likely to be diagnosed with localised disease and are less likely to receive treatment than other Australians. The discrepancy in five-year survival rate between major cities and remote areas is particularly stark for certain cancers, including lung cancer (12 per cent compared with 6 per cent) and head and neck cancer (47 per cent compared with 31 per cent).

Pat Turner goes on to say, “The state of Indigenous health in this country is appalling and is the main reason governments have not listened to our advice and have not taken action on the statistics before them and certainly have not provided the funds required. Our study shows there is a conservative $4.4 billion gap in health funding between what is spent on non-Indigenous Australians. That’s $5,000 for each Aboriginal person per year.”

“Having worked in Government as a senior executive for decades I strongly believe having a Voice written into the Australian Constitution together with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap is the best way to improve living conditions and health outcomes for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”

Donnella Mills, Chair of NACCHO, “The NACCHO board agrees with the Voice and Recognition being written into the Australian Constitution and I am proud to have been part of developing the Uluru Statement.  There is no doubt Australia is a divided country.  In Cairns where I live and other places nationally there are hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease, and we are 55 times more likely to die of the disease as youth than other Australians. We have had two deaths from tuberculosis in the last year, babies dying from congenital syphilis and trachoma.  These are diseases of poverty and diseases seen in Third World countries and haven’t existed in non-Indigenous Australian population in decades. They are diseases that result from overcrowded and poor housing, lack of clean water and limited health care funding.”

“Most of our people were rounded up and placed in artificial environments and mixing the different language groups with their movements restricted with Acts of Parliament. Look at Palm Island as an example or Mapoon. It is now time to make us equal through Recognition and a Voice to Parliament and the Executive in the Australian Constitution.

Find the media release here. 

Supporting our community: online Social and Emotional Wellbeing Resources during the Voice referendum 

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet have launched a portal that brings together a collection of resources aimed at supporting and reducing social and emotional harms to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the period prior and post the Voice referendum https://healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/learn/special-topics/voice-referendum-social-emotional-wellbeing-resources/

The wellbeing resources have been made freely available on the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet website for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, organisations and Community, including new Pause, Breathe, Connect wellbeing resources developed by The Healing Foundation. Building Connection, Strength, Resilience is at the heart of these resources, which comprise, factsheets, support websites, apps, posters, videos and other critical tools.

The launch comes as the negative impacts of the debate increasingly affect the social, emotional and mental health wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

NACCHO Chief Executive Officer Pat Turner said, “We are witnessing first-hand the adverse consequences of this debate within our communities, manifesting as heightened psychological distress, an increased demand for assistance, and a rise in the utilisation of social and emotional wellbeing and mental health services. The resources we’ve developed are not the answer but are critical tools to help keep our Community safe and well”.

The Healing Foundation Acting Chief Executive Officer Shannan Dobson said, “These resources have tools and tips on managing stress for self, family and community and managing increased misinformation. As well as managing challenging conversations and ways to stay safe. While these resources are for the current heightened racism, they are useful tools for our mob for general wellbeing.”

HealthInfoNet Director Professor Neil Drew said, “We are proud to partner with NACCHO to provide support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people during this nation defining referendum.  National debates of this kind can involve difficult and challenging conversations and it is important that we care for ourselves and others during and after the referendum campaign”.

For support, please contact an Aboriginal community-controlled health organisation (ACCHO) near you. To find an ACCHO in your area click here. If you are feeling stressed, not sleeping well or have increased anxiety and depression you can seek help from:

Read the media release here. 

First Nations residential rehabilitation facility on Ngunnawal Country

Canberra’s first dedicated residential rehabilitation facility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is a step closer to reality with the development application for a revamped $49 million health precinct now open for community feedback. Winnunga Nimmityjah will run the new 24-bed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residential rehab facility.

CEO Julie Tongs described the service as a “real game changer” for the region.

“We need to keep people out of prisons. We need to stop sending our mob interstate for residential rehab because they do really, really well when they go away, but then it’s not very long once they come back that they fall into the same old patterns,” she said.

“With our own residential rehab here, we can then integrate people back into their families and back into the community so that they have the strategies and can fall back on us if they need support.”

Read the full article here.

Concept render of the new Watson health precinct. Image source: ACT Government.

60-day prescriptions webinar

As of 1 September 2023, nearly 100 common medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) will have the option of a 60-day prescription. This means many patients living with an ongoing health condition can now receive twice the medication for the cost of a single prescription. On Tuesday 26 September, pharmacists are invited to a webinar to discuss the 60-day prescriptions of selected PBS medicines.

The webinar will take place between 2.30pm and 3.30pm AEST. Find more details here.

Preventative dental training grants

The Victorian Government has announced a second round of training grants for Aboriginal health practitioners to take part in preventative dental training. The grants are now open for practitioners wanting to become accredited in the application of fluoride varnish, a preventative dental treatment that helps reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Participating ACCHOs can apply for grants of up to $45,000 – with a total of $650,000 allocated. Acting Minister for Health, as well as Minister for Mental Health and Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Gabrielle Williams, announced the new grants on Friday.

“We know that poor oral health can contribute to longer term health issues making the upskilling of our Aboriginal health practitioners to deliver preventative dental care so important,” she said.

The latest funding follows an initial round of the initiative earlier in the year, which saw eight Aboriginal health practitioners become accredited. These included the Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative, Mallee District Aboriginal Services; with locations in Mildura, Swan Hill and Kerang, and Njernda Aboriginal Corporation in Echuca.

Expressions of Interest for the second round of the program are now open until Wednesday 27 September.

Read the full National Indigenous Times articles here.

Image source: Unsplash.

Picture books celebrate maternal and child health milestones.

Mallee District Aboriginal Services has partnered with Mildura Rural City Council to source culturally relevant and age-appropriate books for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. The Maternal and Child Health service nurses will distribute the books when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families bring their babies and children to a key age and stage milestone visits. Free MCH visits are recommended at ten important milestones from birth until a child starts school.

Mallee District Aboriginal Services CEO, Darlene Thomas said the organisation was proud to donate children’s books that celebrate Aboriginal culture.

“We know that reading aloud to children and sharing stories is critical in developing literacy skills and strengthening family relationships. Engaging our children with culturally relevant stories is a powerful way that we can promote reading, connection, and curiosity from an early age,” Ms Thomas said.

Read more here.

Image source: The Sector.

Sector Jobs

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.

Sep 12 2023

NACCHO Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health News: Calls to integrate pharmacists within ACCHOs

Feature tile: Pharmacist Kylie van Rooijen (R) with RN Neil Dunning, discussing how to use a MediSachet roll, Port Lincoln AHS; text 'Calls to integrate PHARMACISTS WITHIN ACCHOs to fight chronic disease'

The image in the feature tile is of GP pharmacist Kylie van Rooijen (R) with RN Neil Dunning, at the Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service, discussing how to use a MediSachet roll. The image appeared in the article Why this Aboriginal health service values its GP pharmacist published in the Australian Pharmacist on 2 June 2021.

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is 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.

Calls to integrate pharmacists within ACCHOs

The Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) submission to the recent House of Representatives Inquiry into Diabetes centers on the impact of social, environmental, and health system factors that create additional challenges for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in preventing the illness and its associated complications. QAIHC’s Public Health Physician Associate  Professor Sophia Couzos said diabetes can be a complex condition for patients to manage and it can be difficult for patients to adhere to treatment, especially medications. “And medications can’t work if patients don’t take them,” she said.

A/Prof. Couzos played a pivotal role as the lead researcher in the Integrating Pharmacists within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to Improve Chronic Disease Management (IPAC Project). This nationwide trial aimed to integrate non-dispensing pharmacists into the clinical teams of 18 ACCHOs in QLD, NT, and Victoria.

This comprehensive approach led to improvements in diabetes management, a reduction in cardiovascular disease risk factors, a decrease in medication errors, and enhanced medication understanding, ultimately resulting in improved medication adherence among the patients. QAIHC CEO Cleveland Fagan said pharmacists working in ACCHOs made a significant difference, “There were improvements in diabetes, blood pressure, and kidney function, more medicine reviews by doctors, far fewer medication prescribing errors, more patients took their medicines as they needed to, and patients felt healthier as a result.”

The Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC), an independent body established by the Australian government, supports the value of the IPAC Project. In June this year MSAC advised funding to expand the integration of non-dispensing pharmacists into ACCHOs more widely, reflecting the positive impact observed in the project’s outcomes.

To read the National Indigenous Times article Call to integrate pharmacists within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to fight chronic disease in full click here. You can also watch a short video below on the benefits of an ACCHO Pharmacist.

VtP and Indigenous LGBTIQA+SB research

In the latest episode of the podcast Well, Well, Well educator and researcher Professor Braden Hill talked about his extensive work on Indigenous LGBTIQA+SB health, student equity and access, and his recent advocacy videos about the Voice to Parliament (VtP) Referendum.

Professor Braden Hill is a Nyungar Wardandi man from the SW of WA and the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equity and Indigenous portfolio Edith Cowan University, and is the Head of Kurongkurl Katitjin, ECU’s Centre for Indigenous Australian Education and Research. Braden has significant experience in Aboriginal education, and leading equity work in universities, and has lead significant research about LGBTIQA+SB Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, most recently being involved in the Walkern Katatdjin report about mental health for Indigenous LGBTIQA+ youth.

To listen to the Joy 94.9 Radio Well Well Well podcast episode Braden Hill on the Voice to Parliament and Indigenous LGBTIQA+SB research click here. You can view a video of Prof Hill talking about his work below.

Tjuntjuntjara calls for better TB screening

Authorities in one of Australia’s most remote communities are calling for help to screen its residents for tuberculosis, after a 19-year-old woman who spent time there died from the contagious disease in Kalgoorlie. Paupiyala Tjarutja Aboriginal Corporation CEO Jon Lark said the young woman died in November last year was a transient resident of Tjuntjuntjara.

Mr Lark said she spent a lot of time in the remote community, where she had many close contacts, but also travelled to Kalgoorlie and the APY Lands in SA. Mr Lark said the WA government had known about the woman’s death since the end of January. But more than six months later, screening of the woman’s contacts in Tjuntjuntjara is yet to be completed.

103 cases of tuberculosis have been recorded in WA this year, with at least two cases involving Indigenous people, according to Department of Health data last updated on 9 September. Mr Lark said he wanted WA Health staff to travel to Tjuntjuntjara to conduct community-wide screening, to help to determine whether tuberculosis was spreading locally. “It’s so disappointing to be so far removed, so far forgotten, so far from everything and having such limited resources for our health service to be able to deal with a situation like this,” he said.=

To read the ABC News article Tjuntjuntjara community calls for better tuberculosis screening after woman’s death in full click here.

map of Australia with pin for Tjuntjuntjara WA

Tjuntjuntjara is one of Australia’s most remote communities. Photo: Sharon Gordon, ABC News.

Black Comedy star on body image

Australian actress and comedian Nakkiah Lui can remember when she realised her relationship with food was wrong. “I had started getting comments about my weight and being bullied for being fat,” she said. “It’s been a huge defining part of my life, because food was always the enemy.”

The Black Comedy star knows the importance of understanding body image, saying, “When it comes to the discussion of food and body image, the more intersectional we can be in discourses around these the better. We need lots of different perspectives around things like food and especially body image, because for a long time they’ve both been used as ways to include and exclude people,” Lui says. “Our idea of what a beautiful person looks like, what an acceptable body looks like and what a ‘healthy’ body looks like has very much been defined by race, sex and gender.”

The radio host noted that adding an Indigenous lens to discussions of body image may allow people understand the true extent of its impact. “I think when you start adding in conversations around Indigeneity to that, then you’re going to be talking about things like colonisation, like white supremacy, and you’re going to start unpicking things that get to usually go invisible,” she says.

To view the 9Honey article ‘Food was the enemy’: Australia actress Nakkiah Lui’s body image admission in full click here.

portrait image of Nakkiah Lui, host and co-producer of podcast First Eat with Nakkiah Lui

Nakkiah Lui, host and co-producer of podcast First Eat with Nakkiah Lui, which explores First Nations’ food cultures in Australia and abroad. Image source: The Guardian.

Broome home to Australia’s worst prison

In the heart of picture-postcard Broome stands WA’s oldest operating prison, a crumbling vestige of the state’s earlier colonial days. Last month the WA Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services (OICS) released a damning report denouncing the prison as “dilapidated” and “poorly maintained” to the point of being a health and safety hazard with foul-smelling, open drains, persistent mould, water damage, and garden crates used as furniture. Disturbingly, the report found an underlying, unacceptably racist element to the conditions.

It said, “With 80% of the [prison] population Aboriginal, the sub-standard services and conditions would not have been acceptable in a metropolitan prison where Aboriginal people were in the minority.” Since 2001, the WA inspector of prisons has published no fewer than seven reports declaring the prison unfit for its purpose in terms varying from “decrepit” to “inhumane.” Yet hundreds of people spend time in Broome prison each year, with devastating consequences for their physical and mental health.

This situation compounds an already serious mental health crisis in WA prisons. A 2020 study of men who entered the prison system in WA found that over 50% of Aboriginal prisoners had experienced the death of a close family member in the previous 12 months, increasing the risk of depression, self-harm, and suicide.

To read The West Australian article Kriti Sharma and Daniela Gavshon: Picture-postcard Broome is home to Australia’s ‘worst prison’ in full click here.

collage 3 images Broome prison exterior, kitchen, storeroom

In the heart of picture-postcard Broome stands Western Australia’s oldest operating prison, a crumbling vestige of the state’s earlier colonial days. Image source: The West Australian.

Outlet to craft has mental health benefits

Aunty Cheryl Norris can be found most days sitting behind a table at a craft store in SA’s Riverland. Her hands weave tiny beads onto even thinner threads, crafting jewellery to be worn across wrists and ears. “I was like a prisoner at home,” the Indigenous Erawirung woman says. “But now I can come down here to the shop every day. “I’m out and about, I’m seeing people, I’m doing things here.

Joining her at the table, strewn with wool, is Marian Reeves and Darren Ellis. The couple runs the store, nestled in the streets of Berri, having moved from Victoria after their Shepparton rental was devasted by flooding. “We weren’t sure whether we wanted to reopen the shop,” Ms Reeves said.

“But with Cheryl nagging us saying that the community here needs something, we decided to reopen.” The couple had offered a similar space in Shepparton, and knew it could provide a spot for people from the community to craft or even just have a chat.

Ms Reeves said some of the people who came into the shop didn’t have a project, but they just wanted to sit. “It makes us feel good because we’ve made somebody else happy,” she said.

To view the ABC News article Riverland community space provides outlet to craft, along with mental health benefits in full click here.

Aunty Cheryl Norris beading at craft group

Aunty Cheryl Norris says having a place to craft offers her ways to socialise and get out of the house. Photo: Sophie Holder, ABC Riverland.

Sector Jobs

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.

Sep 4 2023

NACCHO Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health News: COVID-19 competition – win flights to Perth

feature tile, round dot art from conference promotional material overlaid with text 'competition time!' & text 'COVID-19 vaccination program competition win flights, accommodation and tickets to the NACCHO Members’ Conference'

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is 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.

COVID-19 competition – win flights to Perth

Win return flights, accommodation, and tickets to the 2023 NACCHO Members’ Conference

6 ACCHOs and 15 creative people can win return flights, accommodation, and tickets for up to 3 ACCHO staff members to attend the NACCHO’s Members’ Conference in Perth this October.

Enter the COVID-19 Vaccination promotion competition by submitting a deadly video advertisement/promotion that represents the theme: Getting a COVID-19 vaccination is looking after yourself, for your chance to win! Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Relevance to the theme: Getting a COIVD-19 vaccination is looking after yourself
  • Composition
  • Creativity
  • Originality
  • Appropriateness for the target age group: Category 1 – kids 5–12 years (in the ACCHO community), Category 2 – teens and adults 13–49 years (in the ACCHO community), Category 3 – older adults 50+ (in the ACCHO community).

There are 3 amazing prizes up for grabs:

Category 1

  • First Prize includes return flights, accommodation, and tickets to NACCHO’s 2023 Conference in Perth for 3 staff members
  • Second Prize includes return flights, accommodation, and tickets to NACCHO’s 2023 Conference in Perth for 2 staff members

Category 2

  • First Prize includes return flights, accommodation, and tickets to NACCHO’s 2023 Conference in Perth for 3 staff members
  • Second Prize includes return flights, accommodation, and tickets to NACCHO’s 2023 Conference in Perth for 2 staff members

Category 3

  • First Prize includes return flights, accommodation, and tickets to NACCHO’s 2023 Conference in Perth for 3 staff members
  • Second Prize includes return flights, accommodation, and tickets to NACCHO’s 2023 Conference in Perth for 2 staff members

This is an opportunity for you to really show who and what your community is like, and the best ways to communicate with them.

We encourage teams to be creative with the theme. Is the best way to get your mob interested, through humour? Being strong and serious? Telling a story? Addressing negative stereotypes?

Be open to the possibilities of what ‘self-care’ looks like. Self-care could be 30-year-olds discussing the importance of getting the vaccination; or 70-year-olds spinning around the basketball courts because they’re fit and healthy and vaccinated; or tie your promotion to building community strength and vitality.

The more original and community-oriented, the better.

You can access a competition Entry Form here.

The Terms and Conditions for the competition are available here.

NACCHO tile text 'NACCHO Members' Conference 2023 - 23-26 October, Noongar Boodjar (Perth) MAY THE BEST ACCHOs WIN... - Return Flights; Tickets to NACCHO's Conference for 3 staff members; Accommodation; images of plane, city of Perth at night & motel bedroom

ACCHO named WA’s Best GP Service for 2023

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services (DYHS) has been awarded WA’s best GP practice of 2023 by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). This ACCHO that operates on the lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people in metropolitan Perth was recognised for demonstrating excellence in patient care, safety and a commitment to the wellbeing of the community. DYHS GP Registrar, Dr Corey Dalton, was named the RACGP’s 2023 GP in Training. It is the second consecutive year that an Aboriginal doctor from the DYHS medical team has taken out the award. DYHS CEO, Tracey Brand, said the RACGP awards come as the ACCHO prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

“It is remarkable that a service started 50 years ago by a group of volunteers in an old city building with disused equipment from Royal Perth Hospital has become the largest ACCHO in WA,” she said. “These awards acknowledge our Board’s strong leadership and the dedicated DYHS team’s compassion and commitment to cultural safety and clinical excellence.”

Earlier this year DYHS chose to undergo accreditation through the Australian General Practice Accreditation (AGPAL) which involved the practice team reviewing all systems and processes, prior to an independent assessment conducted by a team of AGPAL surveyors. Ms Brand said “Our model delivers culturally responsive comprehensive primary health services with a focus on prevention, early intervention, comprehensive care and care coordination across the life course of our 22,000 patients.”

To view the Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service media release Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service named state’s best GP service for 2023 in full click here.

tile of 50+ Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service with hands in air at top landing & down stairs of DYHS office

Glen for Women officially opens

On Wednesday last week, 30 August 2023, The Glen for Women was officially opened. The Glen for Women runs a 12-week residential rehab program based on the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Residential Rehabilitation Network (ADARRN) model of care. The program is designed to support participants with individualised case management plans; grief and trauma counselling; financial counselling; relationship and parenting programs; anger management and relapse prevention programs and 12 step fellowship meetings. Through the program, participants can also learn a range of practical skills to set them up for their return to community.

The Glen for Women has now been operational for 15 months and 84 women have passed through its doors. At the official opening the women who had fought so hard for The Glen for Women, Aunty Coral, Aunty Cheryl, Aunty Gail, Aunty Jan and Aunty Barbara were acknowledged.

You can find more information about The Glen for Women on The Glen website here.

image of outside seated guests for opening of The Glen for Women 20.8.23

Official opening of The Glen for Women. Image sourece: The Glen Rehab Facebook page.

Why the Voice is crucial to health outcomes 

Respected Aboriginal leader Aunty Jill Gallagher – CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) – recently spoke on NITV Radio about the upcoming referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, how Aboriginal Elders drive the narratives as well as an upcoming VACCHO Elder’s Summit. Aunty Jill explained emphatically why a Yes vote is crucial.

You can listen to the NITV Radio interview Aunty Jill Gallagher on why a Yes vote is crucial, the impact on Aboriginal health outcomes and more in full here.

NITV Radio tile text 'Aunty Jill Gallagher on why a Yes vote is crucial, the impact on Aboriginal health outcomes and more' & portrait image of VACCHO CEO Jill Gallagher

Image source: NITV Radio.

Children in detention increases crime

Some advocates say the best way to create an adult criminal is to lock up a child. The younger a child is slapped with a probation order or locked up for committing a crime, the more likely they are to return behind bars. So when QLD brought in laws allowing kids as young as 10 to be held in police watch houses, human rights groups were appalled.

Indigenous advocates were also alarmed given the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the youth justice system. Catherine Liddle, the head of a national organisation for Indigenous children known as SNAICC, said the Queensland government action was a disgrace.

“Suspending the Human Rights Act so children as young as 10 can be held in police watch houses and prisons designed for adults is utterly shameful,” she said. “It makes a mockery out of all the work that we’ve been doing to close the gap, which says to work in partnership with ACCOs before you make decisions like this.”

To view the SBS News article Does putting children in detention prevent or produce crime? in full click here.
corridor with closed prison doors either side

Photo: Jono Searle – AAP. Image source: SBS News.

Reducing medication-related problems

Medicines are the most frequent health care intervention type; their safe use provides significant benefits, but inappropriate use can cause harm. Systemic primary care approaches can manage serious medication‐related problems in a timely manner.

A quality improvement activity developed to improve medicine safety is ACTMed (ACTivating primary care for MEDicine safety). ACTMed uses information technology and financial incentives to encourage pharmacists to work more closely with general practitioners to reduce the risk of harm, improve patients’ experience of care, streamline workflows, and increase the efficiency of medical care.

A stepped wedge cluster randomised trial is planned to be undertaken in 42 Queensland primary care practices to assess the effectiveness of the ACTMed intervention. The primary outcome will be the proportion of people at risk of serious medication‐related problems — patients with atrial fibrillation, heart failure, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, or asthma or congestive obstructive pulmonary disease — who experience such problems. The trail will also estimate the cost per averted serious medication‐related problem and the cost per averted potentially preventable medication‐related hospitalisation.

To read the Activating pharmacists to reduce the frequency of medication‐related problems (ACTMed): a stepped wedge cluster randomised trial article published in The Medical Journal of Australia today click here.

You can also read a previous article on ACTMed published in this newsletter here.

tablet dispenser & hand pouring tablets into palm of other hand

Image source: The Economic Times.

Sector Jobs

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.

Sep 1 2023

NACCHO Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health News: 60-day prescribing gets started

many different bright coloured tablets; text 'Today’s START of 60-day prescribing hailed as a big win for patients'

The image in the feature tile is from an article Medicines Australia Still Seeking Certainty published by AJP.com.au on 18 May 2015.

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is 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.

60-day prescribing gets started

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has welcomed the start of 60-day prescribing from today as a big win for patients. AMA President Professor Steve Robson said patients are now able to access cheaper medicines and will save money with fewer tips to the pharmacy. “This initiative, which we have supported since it was first recommended by the independent expert Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee five years ago, will provide much-needed financial relief amid a cost-of-living crisis,” Professor Robson said.

Professor Robson said while there had been a concerted scare campaign against the change, common sense had prevailed, and patients would benefit from the decision by most Senators to support it. “This initiative is supported by many doctor, health and consumer groups, including the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Consumers Health Forum, NACCHO, Asthma Australia and Breast Cancer Australia.” Prof Robson also warned that any attempt to reverse the initiative will cause chaos and confusion.

Under the policy change, more than 300 medicines will eventually become available for 60-day prescriptions. A list of medicines now available for 60-day dispensing is available here.

You can view the AMA’s media release 60-day prescribing gets started in full here, NACCHO’s media release here as well as a related article New 60-Day Prescriptions: Impacts on You and Your Wallet by University of Sydney’s Andrew Barlett, Associate Lecturer Pharmacy Practice and Nial Wheate, Associate Professor of the Sydney Pharmacy School here.

hand putting a tablet in a 7-day tablet dispenser

Photo: Laurynas Mereckas – Unsplash; Image source: Mirage News.

QLD’s Human Rights Act breach condemned

More than 180 human rights, Indigenous and legal groups have written an open letter to the QLD government, condemning their decision to allow children to be housed in adult watch houses. The letter argues the state government continues to “impose punitive and carceral solutions onto vulnerable and marginalised children.” The letter says “These changes in law undeniably violate children’s rights and exacerbate the human rights emergency in QLD’s already broken youth justice system that disproportionately affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Although making up less than 5% of the child population in QLD, First Nations children comprise 62.6% of the youth prison population.”

The outcry has led to QLD Council of Social Service CEO Aimee McVeigh exclaiming dismay that the QLD government is seemingly unable “design and implement policies that treat children humanely, keep all communities safe, and act in accordance with established democratic processes.” Chief executive of Sisters Inside, Debbie Killroy OAM, led a protest at QLD Parliament last Thursday, calling for an immediate repealing of the laws. “Children lives must never be used as political pawns,” she said. The watch house amendments, which were rushed through QLD parliament last Thursday and resulted in a provision to override the state’s Human Rights Act, had no oversight from any independent parliamentary committee. QLD is the only state without an upper house in parliament and therefore does not see the same parliamentary scrutiny over legislation.

The open letter notes that the Palaszczuk government has a history of defiance and contempt of UN protocols. “In 2022, it blocked the UN torture prevention body from visiting places where people are detained. It now wishes to exclude indefinite detention of children by police from human rights oversight. These are the places where human rights safeguards are needed most.” It goes on to say: “The QLD government’s actions are of such dire concern that our colleagues at the First Peoples Disability Network have taken the step of notifying the UN Committee Against Torture (CAT).” “This situation has resulted in the systematic denial and breach of the human rights of children in custody, and failure to hold Australia accountable to our UN commitments. Overwhelmingly it is First Nations children and children with disabilities who are experiencing this shocking abusive treatment.”

To view the National Indigenous Times article Over 180 organisations condemn Queensland government’s latest breach of Human Rights Act in full click here.

front gates of Qld Government Brisbane Youth Detention Centre

Photo: Darren England. Image source: National Indigenous Times.

Griffith University wins FASD grant

A project designed to help screen children and adolescents at risk of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) has been awarded a National Health and Medical Research Council Partnership Grant worth $1.49m. Professor Dianne Shanley from Griffith University’s School of Applied Psychology and Menzies Health Institute QLD is one of the Chief Investigators on the Tracking Cube which her team co-designed. “The Tracking Cube originated when community members from remote QLD voiced their concern around long waitlists for children,” Professor Shanley said.

“They wanted to ensure their children were supported close to home and placed on local treatment pathways as quickly as possible. The Tracking Cube is a culturally responsive, tiered neurodevelopmental screening approach that can be integrated with child well-health checks. Ultimately, it’s about screening at risk children and young people in primary healthcare so we can start them on early pathways of support and catch those who might otherwise fall through service gaps.”

A pilot implementation was conducted at an Indigenous remote primary health service which found neurodevelopmental concerns were four times more likely to be identified using the Tracking Cube compared to usual care. The pilot was also able to place the 11% of children identified as at-risk of FASD on local pathways of support. Professor Shanley said the project will follow a Type 1 hybrid design using a stepped wedge cluster randomised trial to measure the effectiveness of the Tracking Cube at eight diverse Indigenous primary healthcare partner sites. “The Tracking Cube will increase identification of neurodevelopmental concerns which will enable early support for children at-risk of FASD in primary healthcare,” she said. “It will also increase the appropriateness of specialist referrals without further overburdening waitlists.”

To view the Griffith University article Griffith research into Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder wins $1.49m grant in full click here.

FASD screening tool - Tracking Cube - cube with ATSI art on each side

Tracking Cube. Image source: Griffith News, Griffith University website.

Youth in detention dying prematurely

Young people in contact with the criminal justice system – be it under community-based orders or in youth detention – are among the most marginalised in our society. And the health and health-care disadvantage faced by these young people may be evident for years. Dr Lucas Calais Ferreira, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne says the research he’d been involved in found high levels of largely-preventable diseases and avoidable premature deaths for these young people in Australia, indicating inadequate health care both in youth detention and in the community.

Almost 50% of young people under youth justice supervision are Indigenous, and they are 24 times more likely than non-Indigenous young people to go into youth detention. Young people in detention commonly have very poor health. This includes high rates of one or more physical and mental health problems, cognitive and neurodevelopmental disabilities, and substance dependence. Dr Calais Ferreira said that in the nearly 25 years of data covered by the research it was found that young people with a history of contact with the youth justice system died at a rate more than four times higher than those of the same age and sex in the general Australian population. Those most at risk of dying prematurely are Indigenous children, males, and those whose first contact with the youth justice system was before they were 14 years old.

The research findings highlight the need for young people involved with the justice system to access high-quality and holistic health care that’s age- and culturally appropriate. This is essential to identify and manage their complex health conditions, both during periods of supervision and – critically – after return to the community. Dr Calais Ferreira said ACCHOs are well placed to provide this and to support continuity of care as these children transition in and out of detention. But the NT is the only jurisdiction where they are funded to provide health care in youth detention. ACCHOs are unable to access Commonwealth funding to support health care in detention elsewhere. Discriminatory exclusion from access to Medicare, which typically prevents access to ACCHOs in detention, is an example of the “inverse care law”. This is when those most in need of high-quality health care are least likely to receive it.

You can read The Conversation article Too many young people who’ve been in detention die prematurely. They deserve better in full here and also listen to a related story, the first episode of an ABC Listen three-part ABC podcast series The outland or the cage about the ineffectiveness of youth detention for children with disabilities such as FASD here.

5 unidentified ATSI inmates at a youth detention centre

Unidentified inmates at a youth detention centre. Photo: Eleni Roussos, ABC News.

Rural maternity services need to be on agenda

When a rural town’s maternity unit shuts down, it has a domino effect and other healthcare services quickly follow. Almost 100 maternity experts met recently in Canberra, calling for the federal government to step in and end the steady decline of services for regional mothers. Their list of demands included a national minimum standard for access to rural maternity care and funding for a maternity workforce plan. Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) president Megan Belot said none of the solutions were new or radical, but they needed political willpower and funding. “We know the solutions, we just want them to be implemented… it’s not something that we can wait another five or 10 years for,” Dr Belot said. “We need the PM to understand our issues and look at our solutions that we came up with.”

The issue had become so desperate, states have begun poaching health professionals from each other by offering incentives to those who relocated to their regional area. “This is why it needs to be on the National Cabinet agenda, we need the states working together,” Dr Belot said. Maternity services are often the lynch pin that holds together other medical services in rural areas. “When you lose a maternity service, there’s no need to keep a theatre running anymore,” Dr Belot said.

Australian College of Midwives chief midwife Alison Weatherstone said of the 300,000 women giving birth in Australia each year, 30 per cent (roughly 90,000) live in rural areas. “Women in rural and regional areas deserve access to models of maternity care equivalent to those women in families in the cities… our targets at the moment are well below what’s acceptable for women,” Dr Weatherstone said. National Rural Health Commissioner Ruth Stewart said the government had give Indigenous women the option to give birth on country. “First Nations’ women have to have access to culturally-safe care – we know that if care is not culturally-safe, they are reluctant to seek it,” she said.

To read the Farmonline National article Rural maternity services urged to be National Cabinet issue in full here.

ATSI baby Judy on lap of mum Leah Ngalirrwuy, Galiwin'ku East Arnhem Land, NT

Judy Mununggrruitj’s mother Leah Ngalirrwuy had to leave her home in Galiwin’ku to have her baby in Darwin 500kms away. Photo: Emma Vincent, ABC News.

Ungooroo August 2023 Newsletter

Yesterday Ungooroo Aboriginal Corporation released the August 2023 edition of their newsletter.

Topics included in the August newsletter edition include:

  • Ungooroo Health and Wellbeing Expo a Huge Success
  • Book your 715 Health Check
  • GP Management Plan
  • Welcome to GP Dr Nicole Payne
  • Welcome to new Practice Manager, Stephen McBride
  • Multiplex training and employment program graduation ceremony
  • New look Websites
  • Speaking in Colour
  • Wattaka Cafe Click & Collect
  • Catering with Flavour

The newsletter is available on Ungooroo’s website here and their social media platforms.

part of the front page of the Ungooroo Aboriginal Corporation August 2023 newsletter

 

Sector Jobs

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.

Key Date

(text)

Aug 31 2023

NACCHO Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health News: Breaking down barriers to medicines: NACCHO Industry Roundtable

The image in the feature tile is from the NACCHO Industry Roundtable.

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is 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.

Breaking down barriers to medicines: NACCHO Industry Roundtable

Yesterday, Wednesday 31 August NACCHO held an Industry Roundtable, bringing together nearly 30 representatives from NACCHO, Medicines Australia, the Medical Technology Association of Australia, and other sector representatives. The roundtable was used as a platform to discuss improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ access to medicines and medical technologies. A specific focus was on ways drug development and clinical trial processes can be strengthened to support improved health outcomes, including options to support access where barriers exist.

Telethon Kids Institute Senior Manager of Strategy and Policy, Louise Lyons told NACCHO, “We know for instance that there are some emerging, new technologies, tests and treatments that can really improve the survivability and outcomes for all people… Our aim is to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have access to those new treatments.

“But what we’ve got to do first of all is to ensure that the health pathways are culturally safe for them, that Aboriginal people feel supported,” Ms Lyons said.

Bare AU and NZ Group Head for Public Affairs, Ailish Hanley said the most significant issue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people accessing treatments is equity, “and the discussion around that is really understanding what some of the key barriers are that are specific to the community, so we as companies can understand the role that we can play and how best to engage.”

Medicines Australia Policy Manager, Con Tablan said while policy is needed to improve access to treatments, it cannot be done without engagement with Community.

“Talking to communities about what their needs are and reaching out to them to see what they need, rather than us going ‘take this vaccine, or take this medication”

“This sort of one brush approach doesn’t work” Mr Tablan said.

NACCHO Industry Roundtable participants.

SNAICC ’23

NACCHO CEO, Pat Turner is set to speak at SNAICC ’23 in Garamilla (Darwin) next week, joining more than 1,500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and advocates. Between Tuesday 5 September and Thursday 7 September, the conference will highlight the work SNAIC – National Voice for our Children and its members are leading to close the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. SNAIC Chair, Muriel Bamblett AO said the biennial conference would highlight the importance of supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led solutions to issues.

“The evidence is clear that when we are partners in the decision-making, running the services and developing the policy, it works,” she said.

The conference will platform more than 110 sessions that will demonstrate how the work that Aboriginal community-controlled organisations are doing in the early years, services, care, and child protection are delivering results. The program will feature three key themes: children and families, children protection, and early learning and development, and will include keynotes, concurrent sessions, and yarning circles, as well as special performances.

Read the full National Indigenous Times article here and more details about SNAICC ’23 here.

SNAICC ’23 logo. Image source: SNAICC ’23 website.

60-day prescriptions of PBS medicines

From Friday 1 September 2023, patients living with an ongoing health condition who are stable on their current treatment will be able to receive twice the medication for the cost of a single prescription. This will apply to more than 300 common medicines listed on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS) and will be implemented in three stages over 12 months. It will be fully implemented by 1 September 2024, with the changes expected to see millions of Australians with ongoing health conditions save money and time with 60-day prescriptions.

NACCHO Deputy CEO, Dr Dawn Casey said, “We welcome this measure that will help ease the cost pressures for purchasing medicines for so many people. It can halve the annual cost of people’s medicines, which is a truly significant impact. In reducing the number of times people must attend a pharmacy for each of the chronic medicines, it will also greatly improve convenience for patients and further add to the value of the measure, especially when considering accessibility of some pharmacies and current cost of transport.”

When a PBS medicine can be prescribed for 60-days patients can save:

  • Up to $180 a year, per medicine for general patients
  • Up to $43.80 a year, per medicine for concession card holders.

The first stage of medicines eligible for 60-day prescriptions will support patients who are stable on their current treatment and living with ongoing health conditions including:

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Crohn disease
  • Gout
  • Heart failure
  • High cholesterol
  • Hypertension
  • Osteoporosis
  • Ulcerative colitis

Read NACCHO’s media release here and find more information here.

TAMS Bowel Cancer Awareness

Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service (TAMS) created a deadly video to raise awareness for the importance of bowel cancer screening. Bowel cancer screening is a simple health check that can save lives.

“It’s so easy, we provide free testing kits, and you can get it from your doctor, nurses, Aboriginal health workers or practitioner.

“These kits are easy to use and can be done in the privacy of your own home.”

B.O.W.E.L stands for:

  • Blood in your poo
  • Obvious change in your bowel habit
  • Weight loss you can’t explain
  • Extreme tiredness for no reason
  • Lumps or swelling in your abdomen

“If you notice any of these signs don’t wait. Reach out to us.”

Watch the full video below:

Children’s rights and the environment

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are particularly vulnerable to climate change. A recent study found Indigenous communities in NSW were disproportionately exposed to a range of climate extremes such as heat, drought, and flooding. They also experienced higher rates of climate-sensitive health conditions and socioeconomic disadvantages. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has produced a new statement on children’s rights and the environment, with a special focus on climate change. The UN statement explains how the rights of children are compromised by climate change, including the very basic right to life and governments have obligations to respect, protect and fulfil children’s rights.

The comment says states are obliged to ensure the right to life, survival, and development of Indigenous children. They are also expected to “engage with Indigenous children and their families in responding to climate change by integrating, as appropriate, Indigenous cultures and knowledge in mitigation and adaption measures.”

In Australia, it means state, territory, and federal governments have the duty to listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, especially to their younger members, and to take their perspective into account when crafting any policy or law that might have an impact on their livelihood and culture.

Read the full Croakey Health Media article here and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child statement here.

BUSHFIRES – Yuin Nation S Coast NSW. Photo by: Tim Georgeson.

Movement by Improvement

In early August, VACCHO hosted the ‘Movement by Improvement’ Continuous Quality Improvement Forum, where VACCHO member organisations and stakeholders came together to foster connections, exchange innovative ideas, and embark on a journey of learning from each other, with the main question being asked, “how can we do things better to support communities’ health and wellbeing?”

Attendees connected through workshops and tabletop yarns which were captured in artworks by Lucinda Gifford, telling a visual story of the event.

VACCHO wrote on Facebook, “we thank all those involved and attended in making this event fun and interactive for all and hope everyone walked away with new connections and ideas.”

VACCHO Movement by Improvement workshop artwork. Artwork by: Lucinda Gifford.

Sector Jobs

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.

Aug 17 2023

NACCHO Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health News: Plans to end violence against women and children

feature tile image of cover of ATSI Action Plan 2023-2025; text 'First dedicated plan to address violence against women and children in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities'

The image in the feature tile is of the cover of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act Plan 2023–2025 from the article The government has released its action plans to end violence against women and children. Will they be enough? published in The Conversation yesterday, Wednesday, 16 August 2023.

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is 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.

Plans to end violence against women and children

Yesterday, 16 August 2023, the Australian government released the First Action Plan 2023–2027 and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032. These long-awaited plans detail what the Commonwealth, state and territory governments have agreed to do to progress their ambitious target to eliminate domestic, family and sexual violence.

In the first 32 weeks of 2023 alone, 44 women have been killed allegedly by violence. These action plans come at a critical time when advocates, academics and practitioners have been calling for more funding and clearer actions to counter domestic, family and sexual violence.

The action plans set out the national and state-based commitments across prevention, early intervention, response, recovery and healing. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan, available here, is the first dedicated plan to address violence against women and children in First Nations communities. It was developed with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council and in consultation with First Nations communities. It provides a road map for addressing the disproportionately high rates of violence First Nations women and children experience.

To view The Conversation article The government has released its action plans to end violence against women and children. Will they be enough? in full click here.

Minister Linda Burney at lectern at release of the ATSI Action Plan 2023-2025

Minister Linda Burney at the release of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan. Image source: The Conversation.

Healthcare AI requires robust rules

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) says medical care delivered by human beings should never be replaced with Artificial Intelligence (AI), but AI technology can potentially achieve improved healthcare. The AMA’s first Position Statement on the use of AI in healthcare outlines a set of ethical and regulatory principles based on safety and equity which should be applied to the application of AI technologies in healthcare. The position statement covers the development and implementation of AI in healthcare and supports regulation which protects patients, consumers, healthcare professionals and their data.

AMA President Professor Steve Robson said with appropriate policies and protocols in place, AI can assist in the delivery of improved healthcare, advancing our healthcare system, and the health of all Australians, “The AMA sees great potential for AI to assist in diagnosis, for example, or recommending treatments and at transitions of care, but a medical practitioner must always be ultimately responsible for decisions and communication with their patients. There’s no doubt we are on the cusp of big changes AI can bring to the sector and this will require robust governance and regulation which is appropriate to the healthcare setting and engenders trust in the system.”

“Decisions about healthcare are the bedrock of the doctor-patient relationship and these will never be replaced by AI but AI can assist and supplement this work. We need to get ahead of any unforeseen consequences for patient safety, quality of care and privacy across the profession. The AMA’s position statement shows doctors are engaging with this rapidly evolving field and laying down some guiding principles. If we can get the settings right, so that AI serves the healthcare needs of patients and the wider community, we think it can enable healthcare that is safe, high quality and patient centred”, Professor Robson said.

You can read the AMA’s media release AI can improve healthcare for Australians, but with robust rules in place here and the AMA’s Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Position Statement here.

graphic of blue brain made up of triangles overlaid with letters, numbers & dot to dot pathways

Image source: AMA AI in Healthcare webpage.

Trial could revolutionise medicine safety

Rather than managing adverse events after the fact, a new data-powered system has been designed to proactively tackle medicine-related problems before they arise. The Activating pharmacists to reduce medication related problems (ACTMed) stepped wedge trial – co-led by University of Queensland’s Professor Lisa Nissen FPS and Dr Jean Spinks – is set to launch across 42 Queensland-based primary care practices next month, following a successful 6-month pilot at three sites. The pharmacist-led quality improvement initiative uses an interactive real-time dashboard to alert pharmacists embedded in GP practices about potential medicine safety risks. “It’s a really positive way for pharmacists and GPs to collaborate, and for pharmacists to apply their clinical knowledge in a meaningful way,” Dr Spinks.

When a GP practice closes its doors for the night, the ACTMed system gets to work. A data-extraction tool works in conjunction with decision-support software to run patient records through a set of algorithms. When anyone meets certain criteria flagged in the algorithm, their information comes up into a dashboard for pharmacists to triage, said Dr Spinks. It’s up to the pharmacist to triage the appropriateness of recommendations so GPs are left with a refined list of patients with potentially pressing problems.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients have higher hospitalisation, morbidity and mortality rates than non-Indigenous Australians, so systems that proactively identify potential medicine-related problems can be hugely beneficial. Amanda Sanburg, a pharmacist who works across two ACCHOs, for example, identified several patients with an atrial fibrillation diagnosis through the ACTMed pilot who weren’t taking an oral anticoagulant. The ACTMed system is complementary to the broader ACCHO pharmacist activities including Integrating Pharmacists within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to Improve Chronic Disease Management (IPAC Project) trialled in 22 ACCHOs in 2020.

To read the Australian Pharmacist article The trial that could revolutionise medicine safety in full click here.

Yolngu mental health tool unveiled

Gundirr, a new mental health tool was recently introduced during the NT’s Garma Festival. It aims to empower mental health service providers, aiding Yolngu patients in adopting patient-centered strategies, encompassing culturally sensitive and informed practices. Crafted through a partnership involving researchers from Charles Darwin University (CDU), the Yothu Yindi Foundation, and Yolngu Traditional Owners, a website and app will supply mental health experts and patients with user-friendly materials.

These resources aim to dismantle cultural and linguistic obstacles frequently encountered while operating in the remote East Arnhem region. The Yolngu community’s involvement in crafting these tools also involved the naming process. The website and app were named “Gundirr” by local Yolngu Elder Djapirri Mununjjurritj. She explained the name is derived from termite mounds, symbolising the depth and complexity of relationships. “You have to dig deeper to understand our people and have a holistic view, we must find that sweet spot of where relationships are formed and connections are made,” Ms Mununjjurritj said.

CDU Alumni and contributor Holly Supple-Gurruwiwi described the new resource as a true collaboration of two-way learning, that will change the experience for Yolngu people who access the mental health system. “This resource is a powerful tool that will help people work together to form relationships so they can connect and understand their mental health journey,” Ms Supple-Gurruwiwi said. “By using examples of lived experience, recognisable people and different age groups we hope that it can create the change we need to see in our communities and improve Yolgnu people’s engagement with mental health treatments and prolong practitioners time working remote.”

To view the National Indigenous Times article Yolngu mental health tool unveiled at Garma Festival in full click here.

2 Charles Darwin Uni non-Indigenous men & 1 ATSI woman each holding iPhones showing mental health app, Gundirr

Launch of new mental health app, Gundirr. Image source: Garma Festival Facebook page 6 August 2023.

Deadly Runners visit Mutitjulu community

The Deadly Runners program is a 100% Indigenous owned and operated community focused running initiative, which since its conception in 2014, is rapidly growing with numbers and support among First Nations communities. This life changing, transformational program is an inclusive community, seeing runners as young as four and up to 68 years of age participating on a regular basis. The driving force behind the Deadly Runners program is accomplished marathon runner and former Canberra-Queanbeyan local hero who is now based in Narooma, Georgia Weir.

The Deadly Runners program already has extensive support from Indigenous communities, with the business establishing new partnerships with Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) and Tali Katu Program, Karunpa Kunpu. Through these partnerships, they are now launching the first ever Deadly Runners: Connect, Culture, Community Program (DRCCC) at Uluru. The DRCCC program will take 12 outstanding Indigenous women who have become leaders and role models within their respected communities to Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Country, where they will become immersed in culture, whilst undertaking nationally accredited training in Mental Health First Aid and fitness.

Ms Weir said the original concept behind the program was to train leaders in each group so participants who demonstrated an eagerness to upskill were given an opportunity to learn and gain running qualifications. However, when you become a leader within a community, you then become a safe person and people can open up and share personal matters and existing trauma. “That’s where the idea of the Mental Health First Aid came in, just making sure that people who were leading these groups, were equipped with all aspects of it,” Ms Weir said.

To view the National Indigenous Times article Deadly Runners set to participate in empowerment program during six-day Uluru camp in full click here.

Deadly Runners creator Georgia Weir with river & city in background

Deadly Runners creator Georgia Weir. Photo: Jess Whaler. Image source: National Indigenous Times.

2023 Medical Training Survey now open

The Medical Training Survey (MTS), run by the Medical Board of Australia and Aphra, is a longitudinal study that tracks the quality of medical training over time. MTS data from past years is being used across the health sector to drive improvements in medical training. As comparison are important, survey questions are consistent year on year and each year the format and layout is streamlined to make the MTS quicker and easier to do. After three years, the questions about the pandemic are being retired and the 2023 MTS is asking more about flexible working and training arrangements.

Evidence links flexible work and training with a boost to equal opportunity, increase in workforce diversity and high-quality patient care and medical training. Given the serious challenges MTS results have exposed in the culture of medicine, there is a need to generate data that can be used in future to support positive cultural change. Medical Board of Australia Chair, Dr Anne Tonkin AO, urged doctors in training to do the MTS and use their voice to keep improving training, “You can pay it forward to future trainees – just by doing the 2023 MTS and sharing your feedback about training.”

MTS results are collated, published online and can be accessed by anyone. There are strict controls in place to assure the privacy of doctors in training. They form a robust evidence base being used by educators, employers and other health sector agencies to continuously improve training. Case studies showing how MTS results are being used to improve training are published on the MTS website and are available here.

You can find more information about the MTS on the Ahpra & National Boards website here including a link to the survey.

Ahpra & National Boards tile text 'Medical Training Survey - Survey now open'

Sector Jobs

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.

Aug 3 2023

NACCHO Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health News: Have your say on diabetes in Australia

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is 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.

Have your say on diabetes in Australia

NACCHO is making a submission to the parliamentary committee inquiry into diabetes in Australia and wants to hear from member services. Across three webinars (Monday 7 August, Tuesday 8 August, and Friday 11 August) NACCHO members are invited to have their say on how they work with local community around diabetes diagnosis, support, and management; Including what works for their communities, and what resources are needed to better support Community.

The inquiry follows a referral on May 24 from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler and is investigating the cause of diabetes in Australia, risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, management, and the effectiveness of current Australian Government policies and programs surrounding the disease.

Written submissions closing on Thursday 31 August.

There are three opportunities to contribute. Registration links are below:

Pat Turner to speak on Closing the Gap at University of Canberra

NACCHO CEO, Pat Turner will speak at the University of Canberra (UC) Thursday August 10 on Closing the Gap, in a series of public lectures on the Voice to Parliament. It comes as UC launches a Virtual Freedom Ride paying tribute to 1965 student activism in the lead up to the 1967 referendum. Ahead of the 2023 referendum the university has created its own Freedom Ride in digital form. Pro Vice-Chancellor of Indigenous Leadership, Professor Maree Meredith said it’s a platform for students and staff to access important information about the Voice to Parliament.

“The Virtual Freedom Ride honours the work that was done back in the ‘60s and it was those students that were really critical to build that awareness. This is why we are making sure that the students have a role,” said Professor Meredith.

Professor Meredith said the lectures and the Virtual Freedom Ride would help counter misinformation surrounding the Voice.

“As a civic institution, that’s our role. It’s to promote the debate but with facts and with evidence. That’s the role of universities,” she said.

Find the Virtual Freedom Ride here and the full Canberra Times article here.

The freedom ride bus outside Hotel Boggabilla in 1965. Image source: The Canberra Times.

Calls to ignore scare campaign over 60-day prescribing reforms

NACCHO, CHF, RACGP and the AMA have joined together to call on the Opposition and the Greens to support 60-day scripts to save patients money and time, and free up GPs for other patients. The 60 Day Dispensing reform is due to commence on 1 September, however, a “scare campaign” over the past several months to stop the changes has triggered concerns that the Opposition and The Greens will try to block the reform in the Senate with a disallowance motion.

RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said, “I’m calling on Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and The Greens to put Australians first and rule out a disallowance. 60-day dispensing is in patients’ best interests – it will save around 6 million people money and time, and free up GP consults for other patients.”

Health Minister, Mark Butler also urged the Coalition to reconsider its opposition to the introduction of 60-day scripts. The Minister said 30-day scripts makes “no sense for people who are on the same medicine, year in year out, decade in decade out, sometime for the rest of their lives.”

Read NACCHO’s June media release here and the RACGP media release here.

You can also read the Croakey Health Media article in full here.

Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara youth speak up for each other

Friday 4 August marks National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day. Ahead of the day to celebrate and stand up for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, a group of young people from Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Lands met with the National Children’s Commissioner last week to discuss the needs of young people “to keep them out of trouble.”

NPY Women’s Council said the group spoke with the Commissioner about the underlying factors causing young people to “muck up”, which included social media fueling negative stereotypes, racism, negative relationships with law enforcement, and difficult home lives.

Making suggestions on what’s needed to better support the young Community, they discussed the importance of meaningful and purposeful engagement. One young person said, “getting to keep language and culture and learn at school – having both – makes people happy,”

Another talked about the importance of family and culture, “Family can help show us the right way… Nana’s, older cousins, Elders…family is comforting.”

The Children’s Commissioner will be travelling around Australia to talk to young people and will create a report to government.

Read more here.

Image source: NPY Women’s Council.

Making decisions about a child in care

WA’s Department of Communities has created a decision-making guide to support foster and family carers. Who can say OK in WA was developed in consultation with ACCHOs and community service organisations to support decision-making about children in care. It will be a resource for foster and family carers who are frequently presented with everyday decisions that all families make about children and young people. It is designed to make carers feel confident about which decisions they can make, so that childhood experiences for children in care are as normalised as possible.

It includes guidance on identity and culture, helping carers honour, respect, and maintain the child’s birth family’s culture. As well as advice on decisions for household rules and discipline, education, physical and mental health, sexuality and gender diversity.

Learn more here.

Who can say OK in WA resource

Deadly start to providing culturally safe care

A new school-based traineeship program is helping build Townsville University Hospital’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce. The Deadly Start program provides year 11 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with 12-months workplace experience within the hospital and a Certificate III in Health Service Assistance or Allied Health Assistance. Pimlico High School student Bevan Kepa said the course helped him find a path to a career in healthcare.

“It’s been really helpful because I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do after school…”

“It’s important for me to go down this path so we can have more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation in the health industry,” he said.

The program comes alongside the University Hospital’s Reconciliation Action Plan, to have greater Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workplace representation, which reflects the region’s population. Workforce programs co-ordinator, Alisha Kyle said programs like Deadly Start help to improve cultural safety, “by having a workforce that represents our First Nations consumers, we are improving access to healthcare for our mob, and ultimately improving their health outcomes.”

Read more here.

Pimlico High School student Bevan Kepa. Image source: Townsville Bulletin.

Sector Jobs

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.

Aug 2 2023

NACCHO Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health News: Pharmacists in ACCHOs discussed at PSA conference

Pene Wood, Pharmacist, Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Health Services and Alice Nugent, Pharmacist Advisor, NACCHO; text 'PSA National Conference includes panel discussion on funding for PHARMACISTS in ACCHOs'

The image in the feature tile is of Pene Wood, Pharmacist, Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Health Services and Alice Nugent, Pharmacist Advisor, NACCHO. Image source: NACCHO ACCHO Medicines Management Guidelines V1.0 2022.

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is 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.

Pharmacists in ACCHOs discussed at PSA conference

Over the weekend NACCHO’s Alice Nugent, Pharmacist Advisor, Medicines Policy and Program attended the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) national conference to participate in a panel discussion. The main focus of the panel discussion was the recent recommendation by the Australian Government Medical Services Advisory Committee to support public funding for pharmacists to work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services, as per the Integrating Pharmacists within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to Improve Chronic Disease Management (IPAC Project) project model.

The role of pharmacists working within ACCHOs continues to evolve following the conclusion of the IPAC Project in 2020. The panel discussion included an update on progress since the end of the IPAC project; a sector update from NACCHO; reflection on the uptake and impact of the Deadly Pharmacists Foundation Training Course; and explore future opportunities for pharmacists working in this unique setting.

Speakers included pharmacist Chastina Heck, a Nywaigi Mamu Bidjara woman and Chair of the NACCHO/ PSA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Practice Community of Specialty Interest (ATSIPP CSI). Chastina described opportunities to engage in lifelong cultural learning and ways to connect with the growing network of pharmacists passionate about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health sector.

By the end of the panel discussion, participants were able to:

  • describe emerging opportunities for pharmacists to work within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care services
  • recognise the role of NACCHO in identifying the quality use of medicines (QUM) needs of ACCHOs
  • discuss ways in which pharmacists can progress their lifelong cultural learning
L-R: Megan Tremlett (PSA), Chris Braithwaite (PSA), Kirra Natty (conference grant recipient), Alice Nugent (NACCHO), Alex Burke (conference grant recipient), Chastina Heck, Bronwyn Clark (Australian Pharmacy Council)

L-R: Megan Tremlett (PSA), Chris Braithwaite (PSA), Kirra Natty (conference grant recipient), Alice Nugent (NACCHO), Alex Burke (conference grant recipient), Chastina Heck, Bronwyn Clark (Australian Pharmacy Council).

Study investigates serious health issues mob face

A landmark research project will place health workers in Indigenous communities across Queensland to study the long-term wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. Researchers from The University of Queensland (UQ) and Mater Research Institute will identify 400 Indigenous families during pregnancy, and monitor the health and wellbeing of participating mothers, fathers and babies over five years.

Project lead Associate Professor Kym Rae from MRI-UQ said as well as improving the health of participants, the study would investigate the serious health issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, “Indigenous communities have a higher risk of chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease – and babies face a higher risk of premature birth and low birth weight. This project will enable early diagnoses, so participants can decide on appropriate healthcare interventions. We also want to uncover the drivers of long-term health for Indigenous Australians and what influences the development of disease, so the results can inform long-term policy changes to benefit communities across the country.”

Dr Rae said the project would work with Indigenous organisations, health services and patients to identify priorities for research. “Indigenous communities can have limited access to GP’s, midwives, Aboriginal health workers, allied health staff and paediatricians. This initiative will allow families in need to access those healthcare services without going on lengthy waiting lists – which means better outcomes for children.”

To read the Mater News article Landmark First Peoples health study to roll out across Queensland in full click here.

Mater Group, Research - 3 women standing against shrubs

Mater Group, Research. Image source: Mater News – August 2023.

New era of cultural respect at UNE

Three dedicated Lecturers in Indigenous Knowledges are helping to advance a culturally safe and inclusive culture at the University of New England (UNE). Ngarabul and Dharug woman Lynette Marlow, Biripi woman Caitlin Davey and Wadi Wadi woman Brittany Abraham – all current UNE scholars – are UNE’s inaugural Lecturers in Indigenous Knowledges.

Assisting First Nations students to navigate university is their primary focus, to help boost engagement, success and retention among the hundreds enrolled. However, the trio are having just as profound an impact on non-Indigenous students and staff as they work collaboratively to improve cultural awareness, decolonise course content and inform UNE policies.

Brittany, who studied a Bachelor of Nursing and Psychological Science at UNE before completing her Honours in Psychology, is now preparing to embark on a PhD. As a Lecturer in Indigenous Knowledges within UNE’s Faculty of Medicine and Health she is playing an important role in preparing students for clinical placements in Indigenous communities. “It’s vital that our medicine and health students are educated about how to work with Aboriginal people and understand how to be culturally-responsive practitioners,” Brittany said. “Our broader role within the university is to share culturally accurate and appropriate information regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, to reduce stereotypes and focus on the strengths of people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. This is important for everyone.”

To view the UNE Connect article New era of cutlural respect dawns in full click here.

two of UNE's inaugural Lecturers in Indigenous Knowledges, Caitlin Davey and Lynette Marlow standing either side of the UNE Oorala Aboriginal Centre Entrance

Caitlin Davey and Lynette Marlow are two of UNE’s inaugural Lecturers in Indigenous Knowledges. Image source: UNE Connect webpage.

Dameyon Bonson talks Black Rainbow

Last week, the results of the Rainbow Knowledge Survey were released, with more than 600 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, aged between 14 and 25, and who also identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or asexual, surveyed as part of a national study. 

The findings showed that nearly one in five of the participants had tried to take their own life in the past year, and within our communities we talk a big game about supporting one another, but are we meeting the needs of every part of our communities when it comes to that? 

Earlier this morning on JOY Breakfast, hosts Rach and Dean welcomed Dameyon Bonson founder of Black Rainbow, a national volunteer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBQTIA+SB social enterprise to pursue positive health and wellbeing of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBQTIA+SB community.

You can listen to the Joy Breakfast with Rach & Dean Dameyon Bonson talks Black Rainbow podcast episode here.

group of ATSI people holding Black Rainbow banner, Joy Radio hosts Rach & Dean superimposed

Image source: Joy Breakfast website.

Role of physios in Reconciliation and health

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) national conference IGNITE 2023 will be held in early October in Brisbane. During the conference delegates will have the opportunity to discuss the role of all physiotherapists in Reconciliation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Lowitja Institute CEO Janine Mohamed will discuss racism and its impact on health and wellbeing and Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) CEO Donna Murray will provide an overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, focusing on social and cultural determinants of health. Following this, APA National President Scott Willis APAM will join Janine and Donna for a panel discussion and the session will close with an audience Q&A.

Kathryn Potter APAM, chair of the APA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee, says that physiotherapists have an important role to play in improving the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, both as clinicians and as respected members of the community. “The role of our profession extends beyond our clinic walls and all physiotherapists can engage in Reconciliation, whether through student placements, employment opportunities, procurement or engagement with the local community,” Kathryn said.

You can learn more about the IGNIT 2023 conference program and speakers by visiting the Ignite 2023 Physiotherapy Conference website here.

Australian Physiotherapy Association tile text 'Brisbane 5-7 October IGNITE 2023 Physiotherapy Conference'

Sector Jobs

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.

Key Date – World Breastfeeding Week – 1–7 August 2023

During World Breastfeeding Week, 1–7 August 2023, NACCHO will be sharing a range information about breastfeeding as it relates to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their families.

Breastfeeding is recognised globally as the optimal method for feeding infants because it is linked to the child’s survival, growth and development. Breast milk is uniquely suited to the needs of newborns, providing nutrients that are readily absorbed by their digestive system and conferring both active and passive immunity for two years and beyond.

Australia’s infant feeding guidelines recommend exclusive breastfeeding of infants until around six months of age when solid foods are introduced and continued breastfeeding until the age of 12 months and beyond at the discretion of the mother and child. ‘Exclusive breastfeeding’ means that the infant receives only breast milk (including expressed milk) and medicines (including oral rehydration solutions, vitamins and minerals), but no infant formula or non-human milk. For some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants living in poor housing conditions, breastfeeding offers additional protection where hygiene practices required for sterilising bottles may not be easily achieved or maintained.

Breastfeeding brings a range of health benefits for both the infant and the mother. It enhances bonding and attachment between the mother and the baby, reduces infant deaths and protects children against illnesses and conditions, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), diarrhoea, respiratory infections, otitis media, overweight or obesity, diabetes and childhood leukaemia. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of hospitalisation for infants. Maternal health benefits include a reduction in the incidence of breast and ovarian cancer and reduced maternal depression.

You can read more about breastfeeding practices as a determinant of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health on the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website here.

ATSI baby breastfeeding

Image source: Australian Breastfeeding Association.

Jul 28 2023

NACCHO Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health News: Yarrabah community deserve answers

feature tile image tap on wall with paint & child handprints; text 'Yarrabah community want answers about lead in tap water'

The image in the feature tile is from an article Authorities knew key water treatment infrastructure was ‘offline’ 12 months before lead discovered in Yarrabah tap water published by ABC News earlier today, 28 July 2023. Photo: Brendan Mounter, ABC Far North.

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is 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.

Yarrabah community deserve answers

The Queensland government was warned of critical infrastructure failures more than a year before lead was discovered in the tap water of Australia’s largest Aboriginal community. Lead up to 12 times the safe level was detected in May in tap water at schools in Yarrabah, in far north Queensland, and levels above acceptable limits have been found in water at the town’s health services and in some homes.

Kaylene Jackson, an outreach worker at the Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service, said it had caught her off guard. “Because we don’t know anything about, you know, lead poisoning or anything like that,” she said. Ms Jackson said two of her grandchildren and a family friend had elevated lead levels in their blood. Ms Jackson said she wanted a more widespread investigation. “I feel angry and wild,” she said. “Because in this day and age in Australia, we should be able to go to the tap, turn it on, grab clean drinking water, be able to drink it.”

Jason King, a Yued Noongar man and the director of clinical services at Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service, agreed that there needed to be a more “widespread understanding of the severity and the spread of [the] water quality issues”. “We then have to drill down and figure out what is the actual cause because if it’s not coming from the water, it needs to be coming from somewhere else,” Dr King said. “There is a genuine interest in getting answers because the community deserves those answers.” Dr King said the health service was in discussions with the paediatrics team in Cairns to include heavy metal testing in situations where doctors had concerns about someone’s neurodevelopment.

To view the ABC News article Authorities knew key water treatment infrastructure was ‘offline’ 12 months before lead discovered in Yarrabah tap water in full click here.

Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service outreach worker Kaylene Jackson, Yarrabah

Yarrabah resident Kaylene Jackson wants to know why children are returning elevated lead results in blood tests. Photo: Brendan Mounter, ABC Far North.

Pride is about bravery says Mirning artist

Mirning artist Tyberius Larking uses the motif of the butterfly to explore his identity as a trans man. Ahead of an exhibition titled PRIDE showing at the Adelaide Contemporary Experimental (ACE) that features his work, Tyberius explained that to him, “Pride is about bravery.” The bright, first-year University of Adelaide science student explains he has always had a penchant for the environment, but he began observing the prowess of butterflies in particular on bushwalks in 2020. “They know that they’re powerful and that they can get away or let you get close,” Tyberius said. “Sometimes they approach you and I look at it as boldness or pluckiness, self-confidence, and I think there’s something about that, which reminds me of the kind of pride that I have to have in order to insulate and deflect hatred.” Asked what kind of hatred, he says: “Discrimination on the front of both my Indigenous and LGBTI identities.”

The PRIDE exhibition is part of the state-wide Tarnanthi Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art and focuses mostly on the multi-disciplinary work of Melbourne-based Ngarigo cross-disciplinary visual artist, Peter Waples-Crowe. One of the exhibition’s curators Ngarrindjeri, Kaurna and Italian writer Dominic Guerrera said the collection is about: “The colours of survival, the attitude of punk and a deep love of community – Blak and queer, we have always been here.”

Although PRIDE prioritises the political and urgent work of Peter, a queer Indigenous artist infusing over two decades of experience as a community health worker and his personal story as an adopted child, it also includes a mentorship component. Three local emerging Aboriginal Australian artists – comprising Arrente ceramicist and APY Gallery artist Alfred Lowe; Gugada and Wirangu mixed-medium artist Jayda Wilson; and Tyberius – have all been mentored by Peter. They will exhibit these pieces as part of the exhibition.

To view the CityMag article From caterpillar to butterfly: (Trans)formation with Tyberius Larking in full click here.

Mirning artist trans man Tyberius Larking

Mirning artist and trans man Tyberius Larking. Photo: Jonathan van der Knaap. Courtesy Adelaide Contemporary Experimental. Image source: CityMag.

New WellMob resource sheets for workers

The WellMob team have developed some new mental health and wellbeing resources for workers. WellMob’s aim is to make using culturally responsive online resources easier for time poor workers and to support the wellbeing of mob.

The resource sheets for workers, available here, cover a range of topics including: anxiety; cultural identity; depression; drugs and smoking; alcohol; gender identity; parenting; sleep; suicide prevention and support; understanding and healing from trauma; understanding social and emotional wellbeing; and understanding and healing from trauma.

You can access a flyer providing an overview of these resource sheets, with embedded links to each one, here.

collage WellMob Healing Our Way & Short cuts to top resources - WellMob Resource Sheets for workforce

60-day prescriptions webinar for primary care

You are invited to join us for a webinar on 60-day prescriptions for selected PBS medicines. The webinar from 3–4pm (AEDT) on Tuesday 1 August 2023 is for primary care and will discuss the upcoming policy change, with time for Q & A’s.

When you’re ready to join, please use this link.

Password: Cwa9mgyFP43 (29296493 from phones and video systems).

If you’re unable to view this webinar live, you can view it on-demand using this link, within a few hours of the live stream ending.

Speakers will include a representative from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and Department of Health and Aged Care staff:

  • Penny Shakespeare – Deputy Secretary
  • Adriana Platona – First Assistant Secretary, Technology Assessment and Access Division
  • David Laffan – Assistant Secretary, Pharmacy Branch
DHAC tile text '60-day Prescriptions - session for primary care'

Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care tile.

Push back against new powers to detain kids

A coalition of over 40 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, health, legal, social, community services and youth advocacy organisations from across Victoria have called on Premier Daniel Andrews and Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes to commit to ruling out any new powers for police over children, once the age of criminal responsibility is raised. The calls respond to recent comments from Victoria Police Commissioner Shane Patton seeking power to arrest and detain children as young as 10, after the reforms are implemented.

In an open letter, the coalition calls for the Victorian Government to invest in a model of care for children which ensures they have the critical supports they need. This model must be designed in close collaboration with Aboriginal communities, advocates for children in the care system and other overrepresented communities. The letter also urges the Victorian Government to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 without exceptions.

In May 2023, Victoria Police Commissioner Patton appeared before the Yoorrook Justice Commission and acknowledged that policing of Aboriginal people today is still influenced by systemic and structural racism. Aboriginal young people are almost six times more likely to be processed by police as alleged offenders than non-Aboriginal young people. Any new police powers would disproportionately affect Aboriginal children and families.

Criminalising children is never the answer to behaviours resulting from complex, unmet needs. Evidence shows that any engagement with the criminal legal system, including first contact with police, can be highly distressing and cause harm to a young child. In a crisis, children need first responders who are skilled in health, youth support and other critical services.

To view the Human Rights Law Centre article Experts push back against Victoria Police’s grab for new powers to detain children in full click here.

child's palm raised in stop motion

Image source: The Conversation article Ten-year-olds do not belong in detentions. Why Australia must raise the age of criminal responsibility published on 23 July 2020.

Sector Jobs

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.

Key Date – World Hepatitis Day – 28 July 2023

Today, 28 July, marks World Hepatitis Day 2023, an important opportunity to give visibility to, and raise awareness of viral hepatitis. It also serves to drive better outcomes for people affected by viral hepatitis. World Hepatitis Day is one of only eight official health days declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The theme set for this year is “Hepatitis Can’t Wait”.

If Australian targets are to be achieved, there must be a continuing urgency to redouble efforts to eliminate hepatitis as a global public health threat. Health advocates warn that many people living with viral hepatitis are unaware of their condition or remain unengaged in care. They may not realise their risk of liver disease and liver cancer. Fortunately, after many years of steady decline in testing, and treatment, of hepatitis B and hepatitis C – particularly during COVID – we are seeing an increase in demand for these services. “Public awareness is key. Understanding more about hepatitis B and hepatitis C and sharing this information could save lives and prevent people from developing serious liver disease or cancer,” said Hepatitis NSW CEO Steven Drew.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are disproportionately affected by both hepatitis B and hepatitis C, with prevalence rates above the general community rate. Today Hepatitis NSW has launched a new hepatitis B resource, Yarnin’ About Hep B (a companion to their very popular Yarnin’ About Hep C), available here. The resource has been developed through collaboration with Aboriginal health workers, community members and clinicians.

To view The National Tribune article No excuses on World Hepatitis Day, hepatitis can’t wait in full click here.

tile World Hepatitis Day 2023; image liver & stethoscope

Jul 20 2023

NACCHO Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health News: Embedding pharmacists in ACCHOs

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is 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.

Embedding pharmacists in ACCHOs

The Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) has announced it supports funding for embedding pharmacists in ACHHOs. NACCHO Chair Donella Mills said, “MSAC’s support confirms ACHHOs can better ensure safe and effective use of medicines when pharmacists are present.”

“Our member services have been calling for support and funding for non-dispensing pharmacists integrated into ACCHOs for years… This endorsement further validates their requests and demonstrates the impact of team-based community-controlled healthcare,” she said.

The recommendation from Australia’s principal medical advisory group is based on a joint submission by NACCHO, PSA, and James Cook University, which found compelling evidence in the Integrating Pharmacists within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to improve Chronic Disease Management (IPAC) project. Pharmacists were proven to be valuable in improving the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; this includes a significant improvement in self-reported adherence to medicines, clinically significant improvements in the control of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes, and reduced risk of chronic disease patients developing CVD.

Read NACCHO’s media release here. Read the Australian Pharmacist article here.

Mandatory alcohol labelling – what’s next?

An expert panel including NACCHO Deputy CEO, Dr Dawn Casey will come together next month, Wednesday 2 August for the FASD Australia Mandatory Alcohol Labelling: A long fought battle. Now what’s next? webinar. From Tuesday 1 August labels identifying the harms of alcohol during pregnancy will be mandatory on all packaged alcoholic beverages with more than 1.15% alcohol by volume sold in Australia and NZ. Label messaging will state: “Alcohol can cause lifelong harm to your baby.”

The event will celebrate the landmark policy and the successful collaboration between researchers, advocates, community, and government. The panel will hear from a mother with lived experience of raising a child with FASD. The webinar will also explore the impact of the changes and other policies in reducing alcohol harms in communities, before looking at what’s next for reducing the risk of prenatal alcohol exposure and FASD across Australia.

Learn more here.

Image source: FASD Hub Australia.

Remote supervision keeps GP doors open

Remote supervision aims to get more GPs training and working in remote communities and communities in need across Australia. Regional NSW town, Armidale has been contending with workforce shortages in recent months, with clinics relying on telehealth services as a stopgap since its onsite GP moved away. A Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) remote supervision placement will see a new registrar practice at West Armidale Medical Clinic, supported by two remote supervisors.

“Remote supervision enables a GP to train in a community with limited or no onsite supervisor available – it’s an innovative way to get more GP registrars into communities in need and improve access for patients,” said RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins.

RACGP Senior Local Medical Educator, Head of Training New England Northwest, Dr Donna Quinn said the program in Armidale is an example of improving and expanding access to care for patients, “the fact that a registrar will be able to practice with remote supervision means that the patients at the clinic can continue to access care, and that makes a huge difference for a community.”

Read more here. More information about the RACGP’s remote supervision placements can be found here.

Image source: Unspalsh.

Ongoing impacts of COVID-19

Healthcare leaders are concerned about a lack of information and awareness about the ongoing risks of COVID-19. NACCHO Medical Advisor, Megan Campbell said, “COVID-19 continues to spread and affect many people across the country, including ACCHO clients and staff.” Victoria Allied Health Professionals Association, Executive Officer Andrew Hewat says across the board, COVID-19 continues to put pressure on the healthcare system and it’s important to recognise the ongoing efforts of health workers.

“COVID has taken regular healthcare workload pressures and put it on steroids,” he said.

Meanwhile, Professor Lesley Russell said national COVID data is lacking, and Australia has “no effective national surveillance or no standardised national collection of epidemiological and genetic data.” This makes it difficult to determine how many Australians are affected, plan for future waves, identify accurate prevalence of Long COVID, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and treatments.

Lung Foundation Australia says not many people are aware of the impacts of Long COVID.  The Foundation is urging people to “remain vigilant as COVID continues to be a major health concern” and to ensure they are up to date with COVID and other vaccinations, particularly during winter while other respiratory viruses are circulating.

Read the full Croakey Health Media article here.

Image source: Unsplash.

Improving mental health literacy of young men

Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men aged between 1425 will be at the centre of new mental health research in Stirling. The Curtin University research project will aim to understand how young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men perceive mental health and their current approaches to promoting mental wellbeing, as well as the barriers and facilitators to fostering wellbeing and resilience. The research team will develop and test culturally appropriate mental health messages that will resonate with young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.

“We will conduct co-design workshops to develop new strengths-based approaches to increase mental health literacy and mental health promotion grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and being, which might include social media campaigns or mass media campaigns,” said Curtin’s School of Population Health, Professor Penelope Hasking.

“We will soon be recruiting our research team to guide the project… comprising young Aboriginal [and Torres Strait Islander] men and Elders before we commence an initial pilot within the City of Stirling early next year,” she said.

Read the full West Australian article here.

Curtin University. Image Source: The West Australian.

Palliative Care Conference registrations near 1,000

Registrations for the 2023 Oceanic Palliative Care Conference (23OPCC) are now open with registrations climbing towards 1,000 delegates. Running between Wednesday 13 September and Friday 15 September, the conference centres around the theme, ‘With the end in mind, shaping stronger health systems, delivering quality palliative care.’ Topics on the agenda include building and sustaining the workforce, caring for diverse populations, future models of care and primary health reform. Palliative Care Australia CEO, Camilla Rowland said, “our sector is very passionate about the care they provide and OPCC really energises innovative thinking, not just in the palliative care sector but also its connection with aged care, disability services and the wider health system.”

“We were blown away by the strength of the abstract submissions we received, the best and brightest speakers are lining up to share their work and knowledge at OPCC,” said Ms Rowland.

Speakers include geriatrician Dr Sue Kurrle, Canadian researcher and podcaster Dr Hsien Seow, former Health Secretary Professor Brendan Murphy, Aboriginal nurse practitioner Kat Hooper, and renowned researcher and leader Professor David Currow. Registrations are open until Thursday 17 August, a late fee will apply from Friday 18 August.

For further registration details click here.

To view the medianet. article Strong conference program and passion for reform draws palliative care sector to Sydney this September in full click here.

Image Source: Palliative Care Australia Twitter.

Sector Jobs

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.