National Rural Health Alliance E-forum 15 May 2009
16-05-09
National Rural Health Alliance E-forum 15 May 2009
National Rural Health Alliance E-forum 15 May 2009
In this issue:
* 10th National Rural Health Conference
* Rural health investments to tackle the challenge
* 2009-10 Federal Budget - Announcements
* Unsung Heroes recognised for devotion to rural health
* Regional Hospitals and the Victorian Budget
* Rural Health and the Western Australian Budget
* Rural Health Education Foundation Upcoming Programs
* Rural Health on the ABC
* RDAA News
* AMA News
* Articles in "Rural and Remote Health"
* What's On
* Contribution and subscription information and disclaimer
* Full text of "* Rural health investments to tackle the challenge"
* Full text of "Unsung Heroes recognised for devotion to rural health"
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The 10th National Rural Health Conference is on this week. Express your views on the Conference in the next e-forum. Email what you thought of the conference to grovesc@winshop.com.au or SMS 0407-628-201.
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10th NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH CONFERENCE 17-20 May 2009, Cairns, Qld
With much of the world apparently "going to hell in a handbasket", perhaps we should expect an influx of people to rural and remote Australia given what we know of its charms, community spirit, resilience, natural delights and great people! If this happens, perhaps there will soon be significant demographic and economic changes which will mean a balancing of other aspects of life between rural and metropolitan areas, like infrastructure, access to services, the availability of work, and distribution of professionals.
In the meantime, there is an opportunity in Cairns between 17 and 20 May to see how we are currently going in terms of health and quality of life, and to consider what we have learned since the 9th Conference in Albury two years ago.
Despite the constrained fiscal environment, there will be around 900 delegates at the conference in Cairns. Proceedings begin on Sunday morning, 17 May, with a special community skills day for students, citizens and health professionals; an Indigenous workshop being convened by NACCHO; a special training workshop on HIV and sexually transmitted infections presented by the Australian Society of HIV medicine; and a workshop for people who want to improve their chances of having their manuscripts accepted by refereed journals.
The main conference starts with a welcome to country at 3:45 p.m. on Sunday at the Convention Centre. It kicks off with four keynotes before the welcome reception, including one on "a health workforce for the times" presented by Joshua Tepper, from Canada.
Paul Lucas, Deputy Premier and Minister for Health, will officially open the conference on Monday morning and will be welcomed by Ian Wronski, from James Cook University, Principal Sponsor of the 10th Conference.
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday there will be five concurrent sessions in which some 130 20-minute papers will be presented, along with half a dozen special workshops and an arts in health stream.
There will be a substantial exhibition providing information, contacts and resource materials from a range of rural health organisations and companies.
The keynote sessions will include one on the special challenges of servicing remote areas, led by Fred Chaney, some of the staff of the Katherine West Health Board, and John Wakerman from the Centre for Remote Health.
Another keynote session will deal with the political and social determinants of health in rural areas, and feature Monique Begin, one time Canadian Health Minister, Christine Bennett from the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission, and Fran Baum, a member of the World Health Organisation's Commission on the Social Determinants of Health.
Robyn Williams, from the ABC Science Show, will MC the conference. Other special guests include John Kerin, Australia's longest serving Minister for Primary Industries, Paul Sinclair from the Australian Conservation Foundation, and Janine Watts who combines a position as a director of nursing in Western Australia with stand-up comedy and other artistic achievements.
Senator Jan McLucas, previously on the Cairns City Council, now Parliamentary Secretary for Health, will represent the Australian Government and receive the recommendations on Wednesday afternoon 20 May.
There will be up to a hundred health science students at the conference, and quite a focus on some of the implications of climate change for health and health services. There will be something for all professions and disciplines interested in rural and remote health, and people to hear from and talk with from right around the nation.
We look forward to seeing many of you in Cairns in just two weeks' time.
Further Contact: Lyn Eiszele - Conference Manager: (02) 6285 4660 Marshall Wilson - Media: 0419 664 155
http://www.ruralhealth.org.au
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RURAL HEALTH INVESTMENTS TO TACKLE THE CHALLENGE
Rural health programs, mainly for general practice, have received a welcome boost in the Budget despite the current tight fiscal environment. A new system for classifying towns as regional, rural or remote will be used as the basis for a range of continuing incentive programs that includes some important new ones. The revised system will see 2,400 additional doctors eligible for support - including some in places on the fringes of metropolitan areas.
The full text of the Alliance statement is at http://nrha.ruralhealth.org.au/cms/uploads/mediareleases/mr%20budget%20day.pdf and is reproduced below.
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2009-10 FEDERAL BUDGET - ANNOUNCEMENTS
Department of Health and Ageing Budget information is available at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/budget/publishing.nsf/Content/2009-2010_Health_PBS
Rudd Government Confronts the Rural Health Challenge
The Australian Government is improving health workforce shortages in rural and remote areas with a package of reforms that includes 'the more remote you go, the greater the reward' incentives.
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/budget/publishing.nsf/Content/budget2009-hmedia04.htm
Over $200 Million for Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health
The Australian Government is investing $204.3 million in improved health care for Indigenous communities, helping to close the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/budget/publishing.nsf/Content/budget2009-hmedia10.htm
$1.3 billion towards closing the gap
The Australian Government has committed $1.3 billion to continue driving its national reform agenda to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. This is in addition to the Australian Government's $3.6 billion investment through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) National Partnerships. With contributions from the States and Territories, Australian governments have committed $4.6 billion over the next ten years to closing the gap in Indigenous disadvantage.
http://www.jennymacklin.fahcsia.gov.au/internet/jennymacklin.nsf/content/1.3billion_closing_gap_12may2009.htm
$1 billion to address Indigenous disadvantage
The Rudd Government has committed $1 billion since the last Budget specifically to close the gap in educational attainment and employment participation of Indigenous Australians. This brings total new and existing funding across all Indigenous education programs to around $2.1 billion over the four school years from 2009.
http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Gillard/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_090512_182846.aspx
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UNSUNG HEROES RECOGNISED FOR DEVOTION TO RURAL HEALTH
Three people who have devoted much of their time to the service of others will be officially recognised as Unsung Heroes at the 10th biennial National Rural Health Conference in Cairns next week. The full text of the Alliance statement is at http://nrha.ruralhealth.org.au/cms/uploads/mediareleases/mr-unsung-heroes-recognised.pdf and is reproduced below.
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CALLING ALL RURAL PHARMACISTS IN AUSTRALIA
The services provided by rural and remote pharmacists are vital to the health and well-being of their communities. Yet despite multiple incentive programs, the shortage of pharmacists in rural and remote Australia continues to be a major problem.
As a result RhED Consulting Pty Ltd, commissioned by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, is undertaking a landmark Australian national rural research project on rural workforce issues specific to pharmacy.
Our aim is to understand what fulfils and motivates a pharmacist to work and stay in rural practice so we can ensure rural Australians continue to receive the best access to pharmacists and the services they provide.
If you are a rural pharmacist or pharmacy student, please help by filling out a short survey and/or participating in a focus group or interview. Visit http://www.rhed.com.au/pharmacy for more details or to access surveys online by the end of June.
Contact Dr Janie Smith, Director of RhED Consulting Pty Ltd at janie.smith@rhed.com.au / (02) 6680 3998.
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Partyline #35 is now on-line at http://www.ruralhealth.org.au. It is a special edition highlighting the key events and activities of the forthcoming 10th National Rural Health Conference in Cairns. The Conference will run from 17-20 May. Partyline 35 contains information on speakers, concurrent sessions, pre-conference workshops and networking opportunities for friends of the Alliance. There is news about the Community skills workshop to be held on Sunday 17 May before the Conference begins.
Partyline 35 was produced in collaboration with beyondblue - the national depression initiative, and contains a double-page spread on addressing the psychological aftermath of a bushfire or other natural disasters, and ways to cope psychologically with the economic downturn.
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REGIONAL HOSPITALS AND THE VICTORIAN BUDGET
Victorian Treasurer Mr John Lenders and Health Minister Mr Daniel Andrews said the 2009 State Budget outlined a $150.2 million regional hospital building program to deliver world-class hospitals for regional Victoria.
Mr Andrews' announcement is at http://budget.eyemedia.com.au/hosting/dtf/budget09.nsf/d6e571e551bef80eca2572bb002bcea7/76aed5b07149102aca2575ac003ff307?OpenDocument
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The Australian Journal of Rural Health is a multidisciplinary journal, which aims to facilitate the formation of interdisciplinary networks to build and advance rural practice for all health professionals. Get published in the Australian Journal of Rural Health! The Journal welcomes short reports and letters to the editor as well as review articles, original research articles and clinical perspectives. For useful tips on submitting your manuscript, read the FREE editorial, How to get published in the Australian Journal of Rural Health.
Manuscripts can be submitted online at http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/ajrh Manuscript Central or posted toAJRH. The Australian Journal of Rural Health is published on behalf of the National Rural Health Alliance by Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd 155 Cremorne Street Richmond Vic. 3121 Tel: +61 (0)3 9274 3100 Fax: +61 (0)3 9274 3101 E-mail: melbourne@johnwiley.com.au
April 2009 issue now available. Contents include:
Editorial - Making good research useful: Another step on the journey
Original Articles
Four years after graduation: Occupational therapists' work destinations and perceptions of preparedness for practice
Workers compensation and occupational health and safety in the Australian agricultural industry
Health behaviours of young, rural residents: A case study
Gender, socioeconomic status, need or access? Differences in statin prescribing across urban, rural and remote Australia
Generational attitudes of rural mental health nurses
Need for syphilis screening and counselling in HIV counselling and testing centres: A curtain raiser study from north India
Short Reports
Factors influencing the practice choices of Australian medical students: A feasibility study
Meeting rehabilitation service needs in rural and remote Australia: A focus group workshop with rehabilitation service health care providers
Grazings
PHC RIS: Practice nurses - Enhancing primary health care services in rural Australia
Life and ageism
Book Review - A Textbook of Rural Health
From the Journal Associates
Wide-ranging policy work at the National Rural Health Alliance
ARNM: Merger between the Australian Rural Nurses and Midwives and Royal College of Nursing, Australia
Further information at http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/ajr
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RURAL HEALTH AND THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN BUDGET
In 2009-10, as a result of the State Government election commitments, an extra $17.9million will be spent to help country patients' access specialist health services via the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Patient Assisted Travel Scheme. This is an increase of 44.9 per cent overall on patient transport services, thanks in part to the Royalties for Regions program.
The full text of the statement by Health Minister Kim Hames is at http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx?ItemId=131839&
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RURAL HEALTH EDUCATION FOUNDATION UPCOMING PROGRAMS (From http://www.rhef.com.au/upcoming-programs/)
Tue 26 May 8 pm 908: Mulling It Over: Cannabis Intervention in Primary Health Care Channel 4
Fri 29 May 12.30 pm 908: Mulling It Over: Cannabis Intervention in Primary Health Care Channel 23
Tue 9 Jun 8 pm 909: Women in General Practice Channel 4
Fri 12 Jun 12.30 pm 909: Women in General Practice Channel 23
Tue 16 Jun 8 pm 910b: Caring for Women with Ovarian Cancer, Part 2 Channel 4
Fri 19 Jun 12.30 pm 910b: Caring for Women with Ovarian Cancer, Part 2 Channel 23
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Join friends of the Alliance now for 2009 and get discounted registration for the 10th Conference in Cairns in May. People who pay the friends fee after 1 September are members for the whole of the following calendar year. friends members will also receive the updated CD 'Rural and Remote Health Papers 1991-2009' (due out in late 2009), connection with the Alliance's policy work and regular issues of the Partyline newsletter. Above all, membership of friends gives you the opportunity to support the Alliance and its work. The friends Advisory Committee is: Alicia Eaton (Vic), John Ferguson (Qld), Jane Fisher (ACT), Janet Fletcher (NT), Pauline Glover (SA), Nigel Jefford (WA), Marie Lally (SA), Suzanne Little (Qld), Irene Mills (WA), Beth Smith (TAS), Janie Smith (NSW), Janet Struber (NT), David Templeman (ACT), David Thompson (Vic) and Robin Toohey (NSW). Members of the Committee are soon to elect a Chairperson, who will be a Member of the NRHA Council.
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LIFELINE INFORMATION SERVICE - 1300 13 11 14
Your Rural Mental Health Information Service Lifeline's Information Service is a rural mental health information service. Information provided includes: referral to services and web sites, printed material and a range of self help resources. The self-help resources focus on practical steps to help promote mental health in a range of areas. For information and copies of resources call or visit http://www.lifeline.org.au/infoservice and further information is available at infoservice@lifeline.org.au and http://www.lifeline.org.au
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AUSTRALIAN ORGAN DONOR REGISTER ONLINE
The Australian Organ Donor Register is Australia's only national organ and tissue donor register and serves as a lifeline to the people on the organ transplant waiting lists. Register online at http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/services/aodr/register.jsp to be an Australian Organ Donor now!
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BUSH CRISIS LINE - 1800 805 391
Bush Crisis Line is a twenty-four hour confidential telephone support and debriefing service for multi-disciplinary remote and rural health practitioners and their families. It is staffed by qualified psychologists with remote and cross-cultural experience, is toll free and available from anywhere in Australia. For more information http://www.bushcrisisline.org.au
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RURAL HEALTH ON THE ABC
(See http://www.abc.net.au/health/healthyliving/yourhealth/ruralregionalhealth/)
Budget to improve Aboriginal health services
The Western Australian Rural Doctors Association (WARDA) says health services in Indigenous communities will improve as a result this year's Federal Budget.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/14/2570475.htm
Rural doctor scheme 'will benefit WA'
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has welcomed the Federal Government's efforts to attract more doctors to rural WA.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/14/2570169.htm
Rural health welcomes Budget help
The rural health care sector has applauded Budget measures aimed at improving access to medical services in the bush.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/13/2569194.htm?section=justin
$1.3b to help close Indigenous divide
A further $1.3 billion has been outlined under the 2009-10 Budget to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/12/2568512.htm
Indigenous health funding 'essential to close gap'
The Federal Government has been warned a failure to invest in improving Indigenous health will have serious implications for its commitment to "closing the gap".
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/12/2567575.htm
Increase Indigenous health funding: GPs
The Australian General Practice Network says the Federal Government has an obligation to continue funding to improve Indigenous health.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/12/2567703.htm
Rural health must have Budget priority: RDA
The Rural Doctors Association (RDA) has outlined its priorities for tonight's Federal Budget, with a national rural health obligation high on its agenda.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/12/2567651.htm
Female medical students start to dominate courses
Women medical students now outnumber males at the Australian National University in Canberra, increasing the chances of getting more women doctors in the bush.
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/200905/s2566584.htm
Doctors want better rural health deal from Budget
The Rural Doctors Association of Queensland says it is not confident there will be a boost for country health services in next week's Federal Budget.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/06/2562031.htm
Modest Budget boost for NT regions
Regional health services, bush roads and police will get the best of the regional spending in this year's Northern Territory budget.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/05/2561201.htm
Bush exercise
There's no excuse! Even if you live in the back of beyond and your nearest gym is thousands of kilometres away you still have to exercise! The fitness message was being spread at a recent Royal Flying Doctor Service field day near Longreach in western Queensland by local pastoralist Joy McClymont.
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/content/2008/s2557865.htm
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RDAA NEWS
'Welcome first step' in fixing rural health crisis, but major investment still urgently needed
http://www.rdaa.com.au/uploaded_documents/Budget%20reaction%20--%20May%202009.pdf
12 May 2009
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AMA NEWS
Rural health a bright spot in budget
Measures contained in the budget will help attract and retain more doctors to rural and remote areas, the AMA said.
http://www.ama.com.au/node/4650
Former police officer awarded AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship
A former police officer and industrial paramedic who wants to help improve the health of Aboriginal people has won the AMA Indigenous Peoples' Medical Scholarship for 2009.
http://www.ama.com.au/node/4637
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CURRENT ISSUE OF eMJA, 4 May 2009
(Available at http://www.mja.com.au/)
Rapid online publication, 1 May 2009
Update on swine influenza: A pandemic that's not bird flu? Pigs might fly
Notice from the Chief Medical Officer, 1 May 2009
Urgent information from the AMA on swine influenza for medical practitioners
Rapid online publication, 11 May 2009
Letters: Health experts reject industry-backed funding for alcohol research - Miller et alLetters: Alcohol taxation policy in Australia: public health imperatives for action
Letters: Alcohol taxation policy in Australia: public health imperatives for action
Letters: Alcohol taxation policy in Australia: public health imperatives for action
For Debate: Alcohol taxation policy in Australia: public health imperatives for action - A statement by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians
Current issue: 4 May 2009
From the Editor's Desk: Alcopops tax and public health advocacy
Editorials
Private obstetric intervention: good, bad or whatever?
How safe are anticholinergics in patients with COPD?
Expanding indications for pacing in chronic heart failure
Research
Adverse outcomes of labour in public and private hospitals in Australia: a population-based descriptive study
Sociodemographic correlates of antidepressant utilisation in Australia
Self-reported adverse events in health care that cause harm: a population-based survey
Perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus: an Australian experience
Clinical Update - Breast cancer screening: emerging role of new imaging techniques as adjuncts to mammography
For Debate - Back pain: a National Health Priority Area in Australia?
Medicine and the Law - Usefulness of Austroads' fitness-to-drive guidelines: lessons from the Gillett case
Viewpoint - Informing patients about emerging treatment options: creating "saviour siblings" for haemopoietic stem cell transplant
Personal Perspective - The China-Australia training on psychological crisis intervention for medical aid leaders and volunteers after the Sichuan earthquake
Notable Cases - An association between tick bite reactions and red meat allergy in humans
Matters arising - Three articles in the Journal commenting on the extensive Garling report have prompted much discussion about what is really needed to fix public hospitals, both in New South Wales and Australia-wide.
Implement hospital reforms now: no more inquiries
Health reform: reinventing the wheel
Reforming NSW Health: the importance of using credible data
Reforms must rid hospitals of bullying
Abolishing mixed-sex hospital wards: a good first step
Feasibility of implementation is not yet clear
Letters
Adverse outcomes of labour in public and private hospitals in Australia
Inappropriate prescribing for osteoporosis
Snapshot - Appendiceal tourniquet
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ARTICLES IN "RURAL AND REMOTE HEALTH"
'Ten ideas for building a strong Australian rural health system'
The 10th Australian National Rural Health Conference (Cairns, 17-20 May 2009) is an important rural health event. In support of it, and to stimulate wider debate, Rural and Remote Health has commissioned a series of editorials on selected conference themes. This is the fourth in the series, entitled "Ten ideas for building a strong Australian rural health system".
http://www.rrh.org.au/articles/showarticlenew.asp?ArticleID=1206
'Coping and resilience in farming families affected by drought'
One of Australia's worse droughts provides the context for this study on the fragile link between social support and coping.
http://www.rrh.org.au/articles/showarticlenew.asp?ArticleID=1088
'Rural health in a time of cataclysm'
The 10th Australian National Rural Health Conference (Cairns, 17-20 May 2009) is an important rural health event. In support of it, and to stimulate wider debate, Rural and Remote Health has commissioned a series of editorials on selected conference themes. This is the second in the series, entitled "Rural health in a time of cataclysm".
http://www.rrh.org.au/articles/showarticlenew.asp?ArticleID=1200
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From: Alan Staines As Chair of the Conference Organising Committee and Director of The Salvation Army Hope for Life Program - I invite you to attend and participate at the 2nd Australian Postvention conference that is being held at the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre commencing Thursday, 21st - Saturday, 23rd May 2009.
The conference "Connectedness - A Link to Hope" provides a wonderful opportunity for delegates throughout Australia and New Zealand to network and share together their experience and knowledge.
We are privileged to have international guests and invited Australian speakers who are well known in Australia and internationally for their research and practice in postvention. International and Australian presenters include Prof Ian Webster, Prof Graham Martin, Dr Judith Murray, Dr Sheila Clark, Dr Frank Campbell, Dr Michelle Linn-Gust, Dr Kari Dyregrov, Dr Scott Poland, Prof Onja Grad and Darrell Henry (indigenous psychologist).
The conference will bring together family and friends who have been bereaved by suicide; the indigenous, teachers, youth workers, social workers, mental health professionals, general practitioners and medical personnel, clergy, emergency services personnel, researchers, service providers and funeral service personnel.
The Postvention Conference Healing and Remembrance Ceremony will be held on Saturday afternoon. The Ceremony is a unique event that is the heart of the conference and provides an opportunity for individuals, families, friends and conference delegates to come together in strength, light and community to share and be supported in our grief as we honour and remember our loved ones and connect through Living Hope.
For further information conference program registration, visit conference manager's website at http://www.hotelnetwork.com.au and http://www.suicideprevention.salvos.org.au
Alan Staines, OAM (Envoy)
Director, The Salvation Army Suicide Prevention - Bereavement Support Services
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National Palliative Care Week - 24 - 30 May 2009
http://www.palliativecare.org.au
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9th WONCA RURAL HEALTH WORLD CONFERENCE
June 12-14, 2009
Heraklion, Crete, Greece
http://www.ruralwonca2009.org/
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National Motor Neurone Disease conference
Sydney, June 23
A limited amount of travel grants may be available for NSW registrants
The website url is http://www.mndnsw.asn.au/htmdocs/conference.htm
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NAIDOC Week celebrations for 2009 will be held from 5 to 12 July. Further information at http://www.naidoc.org.au/
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General Practice & Primary Health Care Research Conference 2009: Driving Change
15-17 July, Melbourne VIC
This conference is a must for anyone with an interest in primary health care research, evaluation and development. It will provide essential opportunities for researchers, decision makers, practitioners and consumers to share ideas, form collaborations and network with speakers and other delegates.
http://www.phcris.org.au/conference/2009
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Catholic Health Australia 2009 National Conference - Hand in Hand Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, 17 - 19 August 2009 http://www.cha.org.au/
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7th Australasian Conference on Safety and Quality in Health Care
6-9 September 2009
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre
Darling Harbour, Sydney
http://www.aaqhc2009.org.au
aaqhc2009@tourhosts.com.au
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The Rural Medicine Australia 2009 Conference
Conference Hosts:
Rural Medicine Australia 2009 is the tenth annual conference jointly hosted by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA). This year, we welcome the participation of the Rural Doctors Association of Victoria (RDAV) and the National Rural Medical Family Network.
Rural Medicine Australia 2009 will present outstanding opportunities for doctors and other health professionals working in rural and remote medicine to connect with colleagues, learn new skills, share their knowledge - and enjoy a brief respite from the pressures of work.
The conference sessions and workshops will emphasise practical skills and knowledge with immediate application to the demands of rural medicine. The conference welcomes other professionals - including allied health workers and government representatives - who share the commitment to quality health care for Australians living in rural and remote communities.
Rural Medicine Australia 2009 will run from Thursday, 29 October to Sunday 1 November 2009 in Melbourne.
Information available at http://www.acrrm.com.au/
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Year of the Blood Donor 2009
An anticipated doubling of demand for blood and blood products within 10 years has led the Australian Red Cross Blood Service to launch a nationwide recruitment drive in 2009 Year of the Blood Donor. The Blood Service is appealing for more than 100,000 new blood donors this year, in addition to the 40,000 who registered across Australia to give blood in the week after the Victorian bushfires.
http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/news/Year_of_the_Blood_Donor_2009
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Healing Our Spirit 2010
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and researchers are advised to start planning now for Healing Our Spirit Worldwide The Sixth Gathering, which is due to take place on the island of Honolulu in Hawaii from 3 to 10 September 2010. The goal of Healing Our Spirit Worldwide (HOSW) is to celebrate the diverse and unique cultural strengths, knowledge and talents of Indigenous peoples around the world, with a particular focus on successes, best practices and common issues in health, healing and addictions.
The Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health is a proud supporter of and committed participant in the gathering, which will be hosted by native Hawaiian healthcare organisation Papa Ola Lôkahi (http://www.papaolalokahi.org).
Event organisers are now accepting abstracts, presentations and proposals for the sharing of cultural practices and performing arts. These need to be submitted by 8 September 2009 via the link on the home page of the HOSW website (http://www.hosw.com).
For more information:
Maria Halkitis - Contract Manager, 08 8943 5020
Mick Gooda - CEO, 0409 688 403
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CONTRIBUTION AND SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION AND DISCLAIMER
The NRHA e-forum is published fortnightly. Contributions are sought on any topic relevant to rural health concerns. Please send contributions to the moderator at grovesc@winshop.com.au (do not "reply" to this email - send contributions to grovesc@winshop.com.au). Contributions received by the Friday of publication will be included in the e-forum.
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Media Release
12 May 2009
Rural health investments to tackle the challenge
Rural health programs, mainly for general practice, have received a welcome boost in the Budget despite the current tight fiscal environment. A new system for classifying towns as regional, rural or remote will be used as the basis for a range of continuing incentive programs that includes some important new ones. The revised system will see 2,400 additional doctors eligible for support - including some in places on the fringes of metropolitan areas.
"Added weightings for remoteness in the revised system is a sound idea given that both health status and access to health services deteriorate with increasing remoteness," said Dr Jenny May, Chair of the National Rural Health Alliance.
"It's great to see the Government giving midwives and nurse practitioners with advanced skills access to MBS and PBS and we support the circumstances in which this will occur - by working in a collaborative service with other health professionals."
Further good news for rural patients is the intention to invest in a network of up to 10 specialised cancer treatment centres in regional areas. Cancer diagnoses currently tend to be later in rural and remote areas, with ultimate poorer rates of survival.
Also announced tonight is a new GP relocation incentive scheme - again 'scaled' for remoteness - which could go a long way towards attracting locally-trained doctors to practise in more remote areas.
"We understand the need for savings measures in health, including the 'rebalancing' of support for Private Health Insurance and changes in the operation of the Medicare safety net."
"There is to be a very welcome investment in improved maternity services from 1 November 2010, with a particular focus on rural areas," Dr May said. "It will include expansion of the Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance program to include maternity service professionals, extra scholarships for GPs and midwives, and Government support for professional indemnity for eligible midwives."
Around $150 million in new money over four years for incentives to rural practice is a good result for people in rural, regional and remote areas in a time of straitened circumstances. The Alliance also applauds the refunding of existing targeted rural programs.
"Many of the big questions in the health sector will not be answered until the Government responds to the strategic reviews due in the next two months. The Alliance looks forward to working with government to ensure that rural and remote services are further strengthened as a result of action that needs to be taken in the areas of governance, preventative services and primary care," said Dr May. "Tonight has provided some good news in the meantime."
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Media Release
14 May 2009
Unsung Heroes recognised for devotion to rural health
Three people who have devoted much of their time to the service of others will be officially recognised as Unsung Heroes at the 10th biennial National Rural Health Conference in Cairns next week.
On the final day of the four-day event, which starts on Sunday, Peter Sergeant from North Paramatta in NSW will personally accept the 2009 Unsung Hero Award. Joint winners Lynette Clyde, from Port Pirie in South Australia and Uncle Col Walker from Barmah in country Victoria, will be presented with their awards in front of their own communities in June. Garry Orvad from Cooper Pedy and Marj Fraser, from Thorpdale, were highly commended.
"We all know those hard working people who often make up the heart and soul of any community. These amazing people help glue together the social fabric of a small rural or remote community as they work tirelessly for its common good,'' said Janie Smith, chair of friends of the National Rural Health Alliance, which is hosting the conference in Cairns.
"They make our lives easier and better, often without us knowing it. We cannot survive without them. Now it is time to acknowledge the wonderful work they do through this new award that recognises their selfless efforts and contribution to the health and wellbeing of remote, Indigenous and rural communities."
Peter Sergeant has been recognised for contributing to men's health by developing sustainable models of 'men's sheds' for use in country and rural communities including Far North Queensland and in the Torres Strait. Men's sheds are recognised as a means of delivering medical help and assistance to men suffering isolation, loneliness, mental health issues and providing respite to carers.
Lynette Clyde was recognised for her services to the remote community of Lock, on the Eyre Peninsula, where she went 40 years ago as the wife of the local policeman after completing her nursing training. With the help of the Country Women's Association a medical centre was built which attracted two GPs. Lynette served there for 30 years until moving to Port Pirie six years ago following the death of her husband. Today she continue to serve the community by baking bread for the disadvantaged, practising pet therapy by taking her dog to nursing homes and reading to elderly and infirm.
'Uncle' Col Walker's contribution has been recognised for work among Koori people, where he is an elder for the Yorta Yorta Nations People. He works on the Koorie Courts at Shepparton District Courts where he assists both the victims and perpetrators of crime, promotes accountability and encourages Aboriginal people to find alternative pathways by reconnecting to their local communities and cultures. He also worked to form the Batja Men's Group and helps run its cultural program that assists Indigenous men reconnect to their culture and community.
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