Weekly Update

Dear Members,

It's been another exciting week at CRANAplus. Our CEO, Carole Taylor and I have been in Canberra at the Australia's Health 2010 Conference sponsored by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

The staff has been busy putting the finishing touches on the eRemote online learning program in preparation for next weeks launch of this exciting new resource. The Hon. Warren Snowdon will be launching the program in Alice Springs on Tuesday 29 June. Check on our website next week to see more details of our latest learning for remote health practitioners.

As the number of CRANAplus staff members grow, it's inevitable that the amount of turnover will increase. Editorial Liaison, Paula Waggoner has tendered her resignation. During her year with the organisation, she has had a major impact on the quality of its publications. We wish her well in the next chapter in her life's adventures. On a happier note, Olivia Pridmore has accepted a three-month contract as the receptionist in the Alice Springs office and Operations Manager, Jenny Longland has agreed to stay on through the conference in October.

Please note that the Alice Springs office will be closed next Friday, July 2 for the local holiday of Show Day.

Have a great weekend,

Anne-Marie Borchers

Business Manager
CRANAplus

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FLEC Team Update

The past year has been an exciting ride for the FLEC program. After the completion of the development and piloting of the four new programs, we've had to determine the best way to move forward with the FLEC programs.

After much thought, consultation and consideration, it has been decided to add two full time coordinator positions, one each for MEC and REC. The people hired to fill the new positions will work alongside Sue Orsmond the REC coordinator and Katie Sullivan, the MEC coordinator.

Libby is happy to answer any queries about the new positions, which will commence in early September. She can be reached at flec@crana.org.au or by calling 0417 893 274.

Job descriptions for the open positions can found on the CRANAplus website employment section. Applications are due to Libby by 7 July.

FLEC Schedule Update

The following courses have been added to the schedule.
REC168 Gove NT 13th - 15th August
MEC170 Pt Augusta SA 17th - 19th September
MID185 Alice Springs NT 1st - 3rd October
AREC182 Mackay QLD 6th - 8th October
MID186 Pt Augusta (SA) 29th - 31st October
MEC175 Tennant Creek NT 5th - 7th November
MEC184 Mackay QLD 3rd - 5th December

Register online at http://courses.crana.org.au/ to avoid disappointment!

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Diabetes Symposium

The Baker IDI is hosting a symposium in Alice Springs this year on 13th and 14th August. This year’s meeting is based on ‘Diabetes Care at the Centre: Grassroots care and prevention’. The main aim of the meeting is to create greater engagement between health professional, educators and researchers. This will provide the practitioners with an opportunity to learn about the latest treatment and care, empowering the health care professionals in the region.

The focus of these educational symposiums is to understand the management of diabetes amongst indigenous communities in and around Alice Springs whilst improving preventative and education programs in remote communities.

The event itself will be held in Alice Springs on 13-14 August 2010. Registration to the event is free and we are hoping to attract 80-100 healthcare professional over the two-day period. We are looking to communicate and promote this event to GP's, remote community nurses, Aboriginal health workers, allied health professionals and other primary care staff within the local area.

To obtain more information and registration details, click on this story's headling to be directed to the event website or contact Priya Ranganathon at 1300 728 900 or 03 8532 1361 or via email via at Priya.Ranganath@bakeridi.edu.au.

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Meetings & Conferences

The 28th CRANAplus Conference
13-16 October 2010
Adelaide, SA

2010 Primary Health Care Research Conference
30 June - 2 July 2010
Darwin, NT

SNAICC National Conference
27-29 July 2010
Alice Springs, NT

The Australian Association of Gerontology (SA & NT Division)
AAG Northern Territory Conference
12 & 13 August 2010
Darwin, NT

Australian Diabetes Society & Australian Diabetes Educators Association Annual Scientific Meeting
1-3 September 2010
Sydney, NSW

Early Childhood Development in Indigenous Communities
21-22 September 2010
Darwin, NT

2nd Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium
29-30 September 2010
Sydney, NSW

The 4th Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the International Association of Suicide Prevention
17-20 November 2010
Brisbane, QLD

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Education and Scholarship Opportunities

CRANAplus/YNA Undergraduate Scholarships
Deadline - 31st August 2010
Each year CRANAplus in partnership with Your Nursing Agency (YNA) offer a total of six $1000 scholarships. These scholarships are available to students who as part of their undergraduate course of study in a health discipline at any Australian university, undertakes a remote location placement.

PHC: Making a difference
25-26 October 2010
This short course has been developed to strengthen health professionals understanding of the social, environmental, structural, political and philosophical issues that impact upon health care provision in remote Australia. The workshop will explore primary health care, its current status and potential in Australian health care as well as the recognition of the importance of integrating health promotion and prevention strategies in remote health settings.

AUSMED: Improving Your Knowledge of Medicines Seminar
As medicines are one of the highest areas of risk for ALL nurses; it is essential that YOU regularly update your knowledge on this key professional area.
Brisbane: 19 - 20 August
Perth: 2 - 3 December
Adelaide: 15 - 16 November

Live Strong: Closing the Gap on Chronic Disease
DVD available to order
Live Strong is the latest of the half hour documentary style programs in the Rural Health Education Foundation’s Strong Series.

ASIST Applied suicide intervention skills training
15-16 July 2010 - two day workshop
Melbourne, Vic
Phone: 8841 3000 - Email: mchs@mannchs.org.au

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Articles of Interest

NORTHERN TERRITORY LEADS THE WORLD IN REMOTE NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAM
In a world first – the Centre for Remote Health’s (CRH) Master of Remote Health Practice: Nurse Practitioner Program is set to deliver speciality nurse practitioners to work in Remote and Aboriginal Health in Australia.

DEADLY RISE IN AUSTRALIAN CANCER CASES
New cases of cancer are headed for a 10 per cent increase this year compared with 2006 with the number of people diagnosed with the disease in 2010 predicted to rise to 115,000.

HARD LABOUR
Australia is one of the safest countries in the world in which to give birth, so why are women more anxious than ever about their pregnancies?

QUEENSLAND GIVES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT A LESSON IN HOW TO SUPPORT RURAL DOCTORS
The Rural Doctors Associations of Queensland and Australia (RDAQ and RDAA) are congratulating the Queensland Government on the support that they are providing to rural doctors and suggesting that the Federal Government could learn a few lessons from them.

HOUSING REFORMS AIMED AT INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
Indigenous councils could be stripped of responsibility for managing rental properties and tenants be forced to pay full market rents, under nationwide reforms being introduced by the federal Government.

‘NO REASON’ FOR SNUB
While Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon believes reducing cancer death rates in rural areas is a priority, those involved in the bid to fund a Border regional cancer centre say they are still to hear a satisfactory explanation as to why their region has missed out.

REMOTE HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY REFORMS 'IGNORED'
A remote health expert has expressed disappointment that a key recommendation on Aboriginal health has been ignored.

COUNCIL REWARDED
Walgett Shire Council has taken out the Small Council (under 15,000 ratepayers) Category for Youth Engagement at the National Awards for Local Government held in Canberra last week.

STAFF RETENTION KEY TO RURAL HEALTH CARE
Money spent on recruiting health care workers in rural areas could be better used by providing current staff with incentives to stay, a new report revealed.

BETTER SEXUAL HEALTH
For the first time, federal and state governments will commit to work towards eliminating syphilis in Indigenous communities.

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