National Rural Health Alliance E-forum 23 January 2009
25-01-09
National Rural Health Alliance E-forum 23 January 2009
In this issue:
* Preventative health agenda 'must consider the bush'
* 10th National Rural Health Conference
* Subject: National Conference on Caring
* RHEF Upcoming Programs
* Leading health organisations tackle food insecurity in Indigenous Australians
* Telemedicine must go past the hardware
* AIHW Reports
* Indigenous health workshops go national
* $2.5 Million for New Scholarships to Boost Health Services in the Bush
* Rural Health on the ABC
* RDAA News
* AMA News
* Article in "Rural and Remote Health"
* What's On
* Contribution and subscription information and disclaimer
* Full text of "Preventative health agenda 'must consider the bush'"
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PREVENTATIVE HEALTH AGENDA 'MUST CONSIDER THE BUSH'
The Rudd Government has been urged to appreciate the particular needs of people in rural and remote areas as it considers a new policy initiative to address the state of Australia's health.
In support of a submission to the National Preventative Health Taskforce, the Chair of the National Rural Health Alliance, Dr Jenny May, said the Alliance welcomes the greater emphasis on policies and programs to promote good health and reduce the risk of a range of diseases.
The full text of the Alliance statement is at http://nrha.ruralhealth.org.au/cms/uploads/mediareleases/nrha_mr_14_01_09.pdf
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10th NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH CONFERENCE
17-20 May 2009, Cairns, Qld
The 10th biennial National Rural Health Conference, to be held at the Cairns Convention Centre from 17-20 May, will seek to identify how people living in rural and remote areas are coping with the threats and opportunities they face.
It will highlight both the serious challenges those people face and their resilience at a time when ecological issues remain serious and when the fiscal and financial environment has changed beyond recognition.
Promoting Cairns as "The Place to Be" the organisers have been under pressure to fit into the program the many threads, topics and research reports which this biennial event brings together. The result is a program rich in content and variety that is now accessible at http://www.ruralhealth.org.au
The packed program will feature 18 keynote addresses from leaders in the health sector, as well as researchers and political identities. About 120 of more than 350 papers submitted for consideration will be delivered in concurrent sessions, interspersed with eight lengthier participatory workshops.
Workshop topics include the role of the health sector in mitigating the effects of climate change; setting an Australian rural ethics agenda; and drought, drying and rural mental health.
There will be a strong arts-in-health stream, with the North Queensland organisation Arts Nexus curating events.
The previous two biennial conferences each attracted more than 1,000 delegates and the organisers, led by the NRHA, are expecting similar registration numbers.
"It's good to have the Conference back in Queensland after 18 years away and even better to have it in North Queensland - the first time in the tropics," said Atherton-based physiotherapist and conference convenor, Owen Allen.
"We'll roll out a warm welcome and then get down to the serious business of making sure that the political change underway in the health sector provides some of the answers we've been looking for in rural and remote areas," Mr Allen said.
Further Contact:
Lyn Eiszele - Conference Manager: (02) 6285 4660
Marshall Wilson - Media: 0419 664 155
http://www.ruralhealth.org.au
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From: Anthony Watkins
Subject: National Conference on Caring
Carers Queensland are hosting the 2009 National Conference on Caring Building the Future with Family Carers on the 9th and 10th of March 2009 at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.
The conference will provide the opportunity to come together to exchange and develop knowledge and practice that will enhance carers' health, wellbeing, financial security and choices - now and into the future.
Whether you are employed in carer support; disability, health, mental health, aged or community care services; are a policy maker; a researcher or a carer, you will be able to engage with the subjects of interest to you.
Discounted early bird registration closes on 1 February. A stimulating and challenging program has been developed with speakers and presenters including politicians, policy makers, practitioners and, most importantly, carers.
You can find out more about the Conference on the official website at http://www.astmanagement.com.au/Carers9/default.asp
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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
February 2009 issue now available. Contents include:
Editorial - Rural health research
Articles
Health status differentials across rural and remote Australia
Influence of socioeconomic and cultural factors on rural health
Impact of rurality on environmental determinants and hazards
Innovative rural and remote primary health care models: What do we know and what are the research priorities?
Integration and coordination of care
Key considerations in delivering appropriate and accessible health care for rural and remote populations: Discussant overview
Multi-level rural community engagement in health
Multidisciplinary management of complex care
Impact of rurality on health practices and services: Summary paper to the inaugural rural and remote health scientific symposium
Evaluating the outcomes of rural health policy
Rural-urban disparities in health: How does Canada fare and how does Canada compare with Australia?
Grazing - Evidence-based policy versus evidence-based rural health care reality checks
Further information at http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/ajr
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FUNDING FOR RURAL PHARMACY PROJECTS
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia is inviting submissions for small health care projects in rural and remote communities in the third round of available funding. As part of the Small Project Funding Scheme, grants of up to $20,000 are available for projects that provide health benefits to rural communities and display a capacity to continue these benefits after completion. The Small Project Funding Scheme aims to support the role of community pharmacists in rural and remote communities so that innovative ideas and services can be developed and implemented.
To be eligible for the grant, projects must involve a pharmacist or pharmacy related organisation and applicants must be Australian citizens. Applications are invited from community pharmacists, schools of pharmacy and other interested organisations. Projects must have a time frame of no more than 12 months and be completed by 31 March 2010. All applications for the project grants must be submitted to the Pharmacy Guild of Australia by 5pm Friday 30 January 2009.
The full text of the Guild's announcement is at http://www.pharmacynews.com.au/articles/Funding-for-rural-pharmacy-projects_z434014.htm
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RHEF UPCOMING PROGRAMS
(From http://www.rhef.com.au/upcoming-programs/)
Tue 27 Jan 2009 8.00 pm
901: A is for Asthma: Managing Asthma in Primary School Kids
Fri 30 Jan 2009 12.30 pm
901: A is for Asthma: Managing Asthma in Primary School Kids
Sun 1 Feb 2009 9.30 pm
607a: Start Strong
Fri 6 Feb 2009 7.30 pm
607a: Start Strong
Sun 8 Feb 2009 9.30 pm
607b: Grow Strong
Fri 13 Feb 2009 7.30 pm
607b: Grow Strong
Sun 15 Feb 2009 9.30 pm
606: Keep Safe
Tue 17 Feb 2009 8.00 pm
902: Stay Strong
Tue 17 Feb 2009 8.30 pm
903: Strong and Deadly
Fri 20 Feb 2009 12.30 pm
902: Stay Strong
Fri 20 Feb 2009 1.00 pm
903: Strong and Deadly
Fri 20 Feb 2009 7.30 pm
606: Keep Safe
Sun 22 Feb 2009 9.30 pm
710: Indigenous Mental Health: An Interview with Professor Ernest Hunter
Tue 24 Feb 2009 8.00 pm
904: Guidelines for the Treatment of Adults with Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Fri 27 Feb 2009 12.30 pm
904: Guidelines for the Treatment of Adults with Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Fri 27 Feb 2009 7.30 pm
710: Indigenous Mental Health: An Interview with Professor Ernest Hunter
Tue 10 Mar 2009 8.00 pm
905: Birthing in the Bush
Fri 13 Mar 2009 12.30 pm
905: Birthing in the Bush
Tue 17 Mar 2009 8.00 pm
906: The Health Workforce - An Interview with Professor Des Gorman
Fri 20 Mar 2009 12.30 pm
906: The Health Workforce - An Interview with Professor Des Gorman
Tue 28 Apr 2009 8.00 pm
907: A program on Autism
Fri 1 May 2009 12.30 pm
907: A program on Autism
Tue 9 Jun 2009 8.00 pm
909: Women in General Practice
Fri 12 Jun 2009 12.30 pm
909: Women in General Practice
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LEADING HEALTH ORGANISATIONS TACKLE FOOD INSECURITY IN INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS
The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) and the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) launched a new policy to help ensure access to safe and healthy food for Indigenous Australians. A co-ordinated and comprehensive Government-led action plan is needed so that all Australians have access to primary health care and health infrastructure - which includes access to a safe and healthy food supply.
http://www.phaa.net.au//documents/mediaRelease/MediaReleaseFoodInsecurityinIndigenousAustralians.pdf
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Partyline No. 34 is available in hard copy and online - go to http://www.ruralhealth.org.au, then to Publications, then Partyline. This edition of Partyline, the Newsletter of the National Rural Health Alliance, scrutinises the current range of government reviews and workforce initiatives and looks at future investment in rural health in the light of the current economic environment. In this context Justine Caines reflects on the current Maternity Services Review. There is a piece on Aboriginal health based on Pat Anderson's address at last September's Public Symposium. There is a focus on the 10th National Rural Health Conference in Cairns next year, a beyondblue feature, NRHA news and letters and stories from readers.
If you would like to subscribe to Partyline please email your contact details to nrha@ruralhealth.org.au Subscription is free.
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TELEMEDICINE MUST GO PAST THE HARDWARE
(The Australian, 17 January 2009)
THOUSANDS of patients from rural areas could be spared the expense and hassle of travelling to a major city to see a specialist if health systems made more effort to make good use of communications technologies. In a paper published in the Medical Journal of Australia, Anthony Smith and Leonard Gray said the uptake of telemedicine had been "disappointingly slow" in light of its benefits, which included an "enormous potential to improve equity of access to health services in a cost-effective manner".
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24918313-23289,00.html
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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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AIHW REPORTS
Number of children in care continues to increase, but incidents of abuse and neglect have fallen
Over the last decade, the number of children in out-of-home care in Australia rose by almost 115%, from around 14,500 children in 1998 to 31,166 children in 2008. As at 30 June 2008, 48% of children in care were in foster care, 45% were in relative or kinship care, and just 5% were in residential care. The report also showed that substantiated notifications of child abuse in Australia have fallen for the first time since 1999 - nationally, substantiated notifications fell by 8% between 2006-07 and 2007-08. There were 55,100 substantiated notifications of child abuse and neglect in 2007-08 compared with 60,200 the previous year. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continue to be over-represented in the child protection system, with Indigenous children aged 0-16 years being more than six times as likely to be the subject of substantiations as other children (35.2 compared with 5.5 per 1,000 children).
The AIHW statement is at http://www.aihw.gov.au/mediacentre/2009/mr20090121.cfm
The report "Child Protection Australia 2007-08" is at http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10687
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework 2008 report: detailed analyses
This report contains detailed analyses underlying the summary data presented in the policy report Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework 2008 report, produced by the Department of Health and Ageing. The HPF consists of 70 measures covering three tiers: health status and outcomes
This report contains detailed analyses underlying the summary data presented in the policy report Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework 2008 report, produced by the Department of Health and Ageing. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework (HPF) is designed to provide the basis to monitor the impact of the National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (NSFATSH) and inform policy analyses, planning and program implementation. The HPF consists of:
* Health status and outcomes - Low birthweight infants, Top reasons for hospitalisation, Hospitalisation for injury and poisoning, Hospitalisation for pneumonia, Circulatory disease, Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, High blood pressure, Diabetes, End stage renal disease, Decayed, missing, filled teeth, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and sexually transmissible infections, Children's hearing loss, Disability, Community functioning, Life expectancy at birth, Perceived health status, Median age at death, Social and emotional wellbeing, Infant mortality, Perinatal mortality, Sudden infant death syndrome, All causes age-standardised death rates, Leading causes of mortality, Maternal mortality, Avoidable and preventable deaths
* Determinants of health - Access to functional housing with utilities, Overcrowding in housing, Environmental tobacco smoke, Years 3, 5 and 7 literacy and numeracy, Years 10 and 12 retention and attainment, Educational participation and attainment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, Employment status including CDEP participation, Income, Housing tenure type, Index of disadvantage, Dependency ratio, Single-parent families, Community safety, Contact with criminal justice system, Child protection, Transport, Indigenous people with access to their traditional lands, Tobacco use, Tobacco smoking during pregnancy, Risky and high-risk alcohol consumption, Drug and other substance use including inhalants, Level of physical activity, Dietary behaviour, Breastfeeding practices, Unsafe sexual practices, Prevalence of overweight and obesity
* Health system performance - Antenatal care, Immunisation (child and adult), Early detection and early treatment, Chronic disease management, Differential access to key hospital procedures, Ambulatory care sensitive hospital admissions, Health promotion, Discharge against medical advice, Access to mental health services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the health workforce, Competent Governance, Access to services by types of service compared with need, Access to prescription medicines, Access to After-Hours Primary Health Care, Regular GP or health service, Care planning for clients with chronic diseases, Accreditation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples training for health-related disciplines, Expenditure on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health compared with need, Recruitment and retention of clinical management staff (including GPs).
http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10664
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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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INDIGENOUS HEALTH WORKSHOPS GO NATIONAL
(From Pharmacy News, http://www.pharmacynews.com.au/articles/Indigenous-health-workshops-go-national_z435158.htm)
A program of workshops enhancing the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) in remote indigenous communities will now be extended across Australia. The National Prescribing Service has urged pharmacists who work with remote communities to take part in first national workshops of its Outreach Pharmacists for Remote Aboriginal Health Service program, scheduled for March.
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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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$2.5 MILLION FOR NEW SCHOLARSHIPS TO BOOST HEALTH SERVICES IN THE BUSH
Rural and regional health services will get a boost through new scholarships that enable allied health students to undertake clinical placements in rural or remote communities during their degrees. The full text of the announcement by Health Minister Nicola Roxon is at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr09-nr-nr003.htm
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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/)
How healthy is your community?
ABC Rural and ABC Sport, together with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, want to help you to improve your life.
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/features/mechange/
NEW FIGURES SHOW IMPROVEMENTS IN INDIGENOUS HEALTH (PM: 20/01/2009)
http://abcmail.net.au/t/376563/614869/7143/0/
FLOUR, SUGAR AND TEA
Thursday 29 January, 9.30pm, ABC1
In Australia, the average life expectancy for Indigenous men is 59. For non-Indigenous men it is 77. As Prime Minister Kevin Rudd vows to close the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, Aboriginal writer/director, Lee Willis, speaks to the former Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough; the Country Women's Association; his local GP, and ordinary Aboriginal people to find out what caused the gap and what can be done to close it.
http://abcmail.net.au/t/376563/614869/7134/0/
Indigenous health scheme set to expand
An Aboriginal health program operating on the New South Wales far south coast will employ more staff after seeing improvements made in the health of local Aboriginal people.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/21/2471190.htm
Health service asked to consider Bourke outreach plan
The New South Wales Health Minister has ordered the Greater Western Area Health Service to investigate a proposal by a Bathurst surgeon to provide free outreach services to Bourke.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/21/2470653.htm
NSW north coast to get extra doctors
A number of hospitals on the New South Wales north coast are about to get extra doctors.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/21/2471101.htm
New figures show improvements in Aboriginal life expectancy
The Northern Territory's Department of Health and Families says the results of a new report on Aboriginal health is encouraging.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/20/2469886.htm
New plane to help RFDS address growing demand
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) says a new aircraft for the Rockhampton base will help cope with a growing demand for its services.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/16/2467411.htm
Doctors' group backs travel scheme funds boost
The Rural Doctors Association has welcomed moves by the Western Australian Government to help country patients get specialist medical treatment in Perth.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/16/2467559.htm
No new doctors allocated to south-east NSW
The doctor crisis looks set to continue in south-east New South Wales. Seven-hundred new doctors are taking up positions in public hospitals across the state, but not one is coming to the far south coast or Monaro.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/15/2466565.htm
Aborigines to feel climate shift most: report
Aborigines living in remote parts of Australia will feel the impact of climate warming more than other Australians, a report says.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/13/2465230.htm
Rural people need to rethink booze, diet, smoking: health alliance
A medical lobby group says new approaches are needed to prevent health problems in the bush caused by obesity, smoking and alcohol.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/09/2462202.htm
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RDAA NEWS
RDAA Budget Submission 2009-10 media release
http://www.rdaa.com.au/uploaded_documents/RDAA_budget_submission_media_release_23Jan09.pdf
23 January 2009
RDAA 2009/10 Budget Submission
http://www.rdaa.com.au/uploaded_documents/RDAA%20Budget%20submission%202009-10.pdf
16 January 2009
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AMA NEWS
QLD'S rural car crashes too costly
The current costs of retrieval and hospital care associated with rural and remote road crashes in northern Queensland represent a considerable economic burden, according to a study in the latest Medical Journal of Australia.
http://www.ama.com.au/node/4417
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CURRENT ISSUE OF eMJA, 19 January 2009
(Available at http://www.mja.com.au/)
Editorial - In the wake of the Garling inquiry into New South Wales public hospitals: a change of cultures?
Postcard from New York - Women's health in the United States
Research
The medical and retrieval costs of road crashes in rural and remote northern Queensland, 2004-2007: findings from the Rural and Remote Road Safety Study
Going down a different road: first support and information needs of families with a baby with Down syndrome
Health Care
Patients with skin disease and their relationships with their doctors: a qualitative study of patients with acne, psoriasis and eczema
Patients expect transparency in doctors' relationships with the pharmaceutical industry
Considering abortion: a 12-month audit of records of women contacting a Pregnancy Advisory Service
For Debate - What changes are needed to the current direction and interpretation of clinical cancer research to meet the needs of the 21st century?
Health Care Reform
Reforming New South Wales public hospitals: an assessment of the Garling inquiry
Implementation of the Garling recommendations can offer real hope for rescuing the New South Wales public hospital system
Enduring Sport
The incidence of race-day jockey falls in Australia, 2002-2006
Epidemiology of basketball and netball injuries that resulted in hospital admission in Australia, 2000-2004
Cardiac troponin increases among marathon runners in the Perth Marathon: the Troponin in Marathons (TRIM) study
History - Richard Mahony - the misfortunes of younger onset dementia
Book Reviews
Final exam: a surgeon's reflections on mortality
On speed: the many lives of amphetamine
Letters
Pathological gambling and hypersexuality in cabergoline-treated prolactinoma
Inappropriate implantable defibrillator discharges from lead failure
Ingestion of magnets in children: a growing concern
Liver failure associated with the use of black cohosh for menopausal symptoms
Coping with increasing numbers of medical students in rural clinical schools: options and opportunities
Does practice make perfect? The effect of coaching and retesting on selection tests used for admission to an Australian medical school
Vitamin D deficiency in Sydney skin cancer patients
Public perceptions of Australia's doctors, hospitals and health care systems
Mandatory reporting of professional incompetence
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ARTICLE IN "RURAL AND REMOTE HEALTH"
'The rural allied health workforce study (RAHWS): background, rationale and questionnaire development'
The paradigm for 21st century health care is health professionals working together in a team. Best care means patient access to psychologists, dietitians, speech pathologists, physiotherapist, radiographers and others, yet little is known about the allied health workforce in rural Australia. This exciting report foreshadows a national study that will define the Australian rural allied health workforce to inform workforce planning.
http://www.rrh.org.au/articles/showarticlenew.asp?ArticleID=1132
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From: Shane Barnes
Subject: Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) conference
The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) is holding it's forthcoming conference titled "Direction in a time of change" in February 2009
19-20 February 2009
Jasper Hotel, Melbourne, Vic
For further information and to register visit: http://www.vaada.info/
If you have any questions or require further assistance please contact me
Shane Barnes
Conference Organiser
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From: Bowcock, Robyn
Subject: New inquiry on remote community stores in Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities
The operation of local community stores in remote Indigenous communities is the focus of a new inquiry by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.
The Committee invites submissions by Friday, 20 February 2009. Further details on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and advice on making submissions can be obtained on the Committee's website at http://www.aph.gov.au/atsia or by contacting the committee secretariat on (02) 6277 4559 or emailing atsia.reps@aph.gov.au.
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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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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.
The NRHA e-forum is edited by a third party moderator, Jim Groves. As such, the Alliance does not control postings and the contents do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Alliance. Nor do postings necessarily reflect the view of Jim Groves or any organisation he is associated with. Jim Groves can be contacted at grovesc@winshop.com.au
Please forward a copy to any colleague you think may be interested.
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Media Release
14 January 2009
Preventative health agenda 'must consider the bush'
The Rudd Government has been urged to appreciate the particular needs of people in rural and remote areas as it considers a new policy initiative to address the state of Australia's health.
In support of a submission to the National Preventative Health Taskforce, the Chair of the National Rural Health Alliance, Dr Jenny May, said the Alliance welcomes the greater emphasis on policies and programs to promote good health and reduce the risk of a range of diseases.
If a stronger emphasis on health promotion is good policy for the nation, its impact will be even greater in rural and remote areas where people suffer poorer levels of health, face greater risk factors and have less capacity to address their health challenges.
"Our key concern is to ensure that the characteristics of rural Australia are considered so that sufficient resources are allocated to ensure people in rural and remote areas - including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - receive their fair share of health promotion and illness prevention work," Dr May said.
"New and revised health promotion campaigns have to allow for the fact that many rural communities have poorer communications, fewer amenities for health-related activities and an acute shortage of health professionals and support workers," Dr May said.
"And people in rural and remote areas must be directly involved with health promotion and illness prevention activities. It helps greatly if people feel in control, not only of their own health, but in all other areas of their lives."
The Alliance supports the idea that a national preventative agenda must involve various sectors other than health - such as education, housing, food, transport and economic development. For example, it will continue to be very hard to have equivalent health for people who miss out on education or cannot access fresh fruit and vegetables.
"Furthermore, we cannot depend on preventative programs that rely solely for their delivery on health professionals, because rural and remote areas are seriously short of so many of them," Dr May said. Even so, health professionals across the board will need to be trained and supported for work in illness prevention and health promotion. The Alliance is calling for specific funding for nurses to become more heavily involved since they are the most evenly distributed professional group across urban and rural communities.
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