Weekly Update

Dear CRANAplus members,

This week has been hectic for the entire staff. We're knee deep in conference planning, funding proposals, the magazine editing and design and the production of materials and launch of 3 new courses. It's all a bit frantic but we're all excited to be delivering so much to the members of this organisation.

This week we have a request from CRANAplus Vice President Sue Kildea. She is involved in a project for the national Health Workforce Taskforce to develop core competencies for primary maternity services and an accompanying educational framework. She would be really keen for any feedback on the documents by the 12th March. More details about the project can be seen is the story below.

There is also a notice of public comment for the Australian Infection Control Guidelines that may be of interest to some of you. The draft guidelines and instructions on how to comment can be found in the story below with a link to the appropriate website.

Congratulations to the editorial team of the Australian Journal of Rural Health (AJRH). The AJRH’s B ranking in the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) system confirms it as the leading peer-reviewed scientific journal serving the Australian rural and remote health sector.

The nurses of Torres Strait islands have been busy knitting and are the first to complete an entire blanket for the BSS Cosy Blanket scheme. Thanks for all your hard work up there!

Have a great weekend!

Anne-Marie Borchers
Business Manager
 

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National Health Workforce Taskforce

Dear colleagues,
 
We have been doing a project for the national Health Workforce Taskforce to develop core competencies for primary maternity services and an educational framework to go with them.
We would be really keen for any feedback on the documents by the 12th March. The webpage has details on how to provide feedback.

Please feel free to forward this request as you see fit – the more input we have from those on the ground the better!!! We have wide representation from organizational groups on our Steering ommittee and Reference Group but are keen to have even broader consultation.
 
Click the headline of this artice to visit the website.

Best wishes,
 
Sue Kildea on behalf of the project team:
 
Professor Caroline Homer
Professor of Midwifery
University of Technology Sydney
 
Professor David Ellwood
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Australian National University and the Canberra Hospital
 
Professor Sue Kildea
Professor of Midwifery
The Mater Hospital (Qld) and the Australian Catholic University
 
Professor Pat Brodie
Professor of Midwifery
Sydney South West Area Health Service and the University of Technology Sydney

Dr Austin Curtin
School of Health Services, Southern Cross University
Adjunct Senior Lecturer, University of Sydney
Sub Dean Northern Clinical School (Lismore)

Marnie Griffiths (Project Officer)
University of Technology Sydney
 

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NOTICE OF PROPOSED GUIDELINES

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), in partnership with the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Healthcare (the Commission), has released for public comment the Australian Infection Control Guidelines: preventing and managing infection in health care (the draft guidelines).
The draft guidelines have been developed to assist a coordinated approach to the management of health care associated infection (HAI) in Australia by supporting the Commission’s other HAI priority program initiatives.

The draft guidelines primarily target clinicians, ancillary staff and administrators across Australia’s acute care and office based practices. Given the draft guidelines provide the evidence base and the core principles of infection control it is anticipated they can be readily adapted to suit other health care settings including primary and community care. You are invited, under paragraph 13(1)(b) of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992, to make a submission to the NHMRC about the draft guidelines. Visit website by clicking on the headline of this story.

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Cosy Blanket Project

Knitting is a great way to relax and help others keep warm this winter. This stress-buster knitting project is great idea is to click-clack your way to inner tranquility while making blankets to be given to those in need this winter.

We’ll turn your squares into cosy blankets made from the heart. We'll be working with charitable organisations to help identify people who could use a cosy blanket.

You don’t have to knit a whole blanket, a few squares will do. Even if you are not a knitter, its easy peasy! Here are a few simple guidelines to follow:

To make a 25cm knitted square:

* Use 8-ply wool, any colour or brand
* Cast on 51-55 stitches using 4mm knitting needles (depending on your tension)
* Work until piece measures 25cm in garter stitch (continuous plain knitting)
* 28 squares will make a blanket

BSS will happily provide the needles and wool free of charge. Please send knitted squares to: Bush Support Services, CRANAplus, PMB 203, Alice Springs, NT 0870.

Contact us today at 08-8959-1110 or email bss@cranaplus.org.au to order your knitting kit.

Photos of blankets and recipient details will be posted on the website.
 

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Meetings & Conferences

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

The Australian Practice Nurses Association 2nd Annual Conference 'Golden Opportunities'
May 6-8, 2010
Gold Coast, QLD - Royal Pines Resort

The 4th Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the International Association of Suicide Prevention
‘Suicide Prevention: A Dialogue Across Disciplines and Cultures’
17-20 November 2010
Sofitel Brisbane Central Hotel

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Scholarships & Educational Opportunities

2010 Nursing and Midwifery Studies Assistance Grants Scheme

The Department of Health and Families (DHF) supports nursing and midwifery students, nurses and midwives to develop skills and qualifications relevant to the Northern Territory’s current and future workforce needs.

Grant preferences are given to students currently enrolled in a nursing or midwifery undergraduate, postgraduate course offered in the NT. Students undertaking courses not offered in the NT will also be considered.

Applicants are considered on merit. Enrolled Nurses and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to apply.

There is only one round of studies assistance per year.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE Friday, 26 February 2010

For further information and application packs are available from:

Lesley Brown
EMAIL lesley.brown@nt.gov.au
PHONE 08 89227539
WEB www.nursing.nt.gov.au

AMSANT Indigenous Leadership Workshop
12th – 16th April, 2010
Ross River Resort, east of Alice Springs

Urgent call for participants!
The AMSANT Leadership Group – made up of AHWs, board members and administration staff from our affiliates – is well down the track in organising the fourth Indigenous Leadership Workshop to identify, inspire and nurture our future leaders.

The workshop will be held at Ross River Resort, near Alice Springs in April, at no cost to participants, with a program of interactive workshops, leadership stories, team-building activities and culture. Transportation from Alice Springs to the resort will be provided.

We now urgently call on nominations to attend the workshop as the numbers are limited and we wouldn’t want you to miss out if you leave it too late! Previous participants are strongly urged to attend; priority will be given to these applicants.

Could you please let us know by COB Thursday 25th March which emerging leaders will attend from your health service.

All accommodation, catering and workshop costs will be covered by AMSANT (participants will need to pay for own travel to Alice Springs & return).

Please email the names of the participants who wish to attend the workshop to michelle.simmons@amsant.com.au and/or phone Michelle at AMSANT on 8944 6642 if you have any questions.

CRANAplus/YNA Undergraduate Scholarships
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 an Australian University, undertake a remote location placement.

SA Nursing and Midwifery Premier’s Scholarships 2009/2010
The Premier of South Australia is committed to building a valued and sustainable nursing and midwifery workforce. Scholarships are being offered to nurses and midwives to explore innovative practices within their chosen field, either nationally or internationally.

NSW Regional Dentistry Scholarship
The NSW Regional Dentistry Scholarship aims to support a student with strong links to regional New South Wales to train for a professional dental career. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a student commencing dentistry studies to help offset their costs in establishing themselves in their course. Applications close 24 February 2010.

Aged Care Assessment Program
Tuesday 23rd February 2010 (8.00pm AEDT)
Australia has an ageing population. People are living longer and the birth rate has dropped. The proportion of the population aged 65 years and over is projected to rise from around 12% in 2010 to 25% by the year 2051.There is a higher proportion of older people living in rural areas. Older people often require support and assistance with the tasks of daily living, or they may need to make the difficult decision to enter an aged care facility. The ageing population has already had a significant impact on waiting lists for access to aged care services, some which require an assessment by an Aged Care Assessment Team.

Advanced Medications Practice for Aboriginal Health Workers Short Course
Dates : 23-25 February 2010
Time: 9 am – 3 pm daily
Cost: $450 (includes GST)

The three day program covers a revision of the basic medicines knowledge essential for safe use of medicines by AHWs who are authorised under Section 29 to supply medicines. Case studies of issues commonly experienced in remote practice will be used to help AHW find information about medicines and make decisions about which medicines are right for the client

For registration enquiries please contact:
Telephone: (08) 8951 4718 Fax: (08) 8951 4777 or e-mail: crh.studentadmin@flinders.edu.au

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Articles of Interest

CALMA TO LEAD FIGHT AGAINST INDIGENOUS SMOKING
The man in charge of a national effort to reduce Indigenous smoking rates says the campaign will have to recognise Aboriginal people's distinct relationship with tobacco.

TUTU'S DNA COULD POINT TO MEDICAL CURES
A research team led by an Australian scientist has uncovered the first indigenous DNA sequence, a discovery that has vast implications for medical research.

AJRH RANKED AS LEADING RURAL HEALTH JOURNAL
An audit conducted by the Australian Research Council has confirmed the high quality of the Australian Journal of Rural Health (AJRH). The AJRH's B ranking in the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) system confirms it as the leading peer-reviewed scientific journal serving the Australian rural and remote health sector.

FOCUS FALLS ON BOOSTING RURAL HEALTH ACCESS
The Federal Government says it is working to improve access to health services for people living in remote areas of western New South Wales.

HOSPITAL DELAYS PRESSURING REMOTE HEALTH: RDAQ
The Rural Doctors Association (RDAQ) of Queensland says patients in remote areas of north Queensland may suffer if Townsville hospital's waiting lists remain high.

INDIGENOUS PATIENTS IN LIMBO OVER DIALYSIS ROW
South Australian Aborigines are travelling hundreds of kilometres away from their communities for renal dialysis because of an impasse between the South Australian and Northern Territory Governments.

TECH FAILURE MAKES UN MISS HEALTH TARGETS
The United Nations' ambitious goals to reverse the effects of poverty, hunger and disease on billions of people around the world are way off track as government and industry fail to reap the benefits of technology, a UN official revealed today.

COALITION COMMITTED TO HOSPITAL RESTRUCTURE IN NSW AND QUEENSLAND
Every major public hospital in NSW and Queensland would be given its own management board and be controlled by the community, under a new policy announced by the coalition.

CANCER GENES PLAY ROLE IN BREAST DENSITY
Australian scientists have found gene variants known to increase a woman's risk of breast cancer also play a determining role in the density of her breast.

WHOOPING COUGH VACCINE CONCERNS
The bacteria that causes whooping cough in Australia has mutated, scientists have warned, eroding the protection provided by the vaccine now given to children.

RED WINE, DARK CHOCOLATE KILL CANCER
Cabernet wine and chocolate are potent medicine for killing cancer, according to research presented in the US.

RUDD ANNOUNCES $10M FOR HOMELESS
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has again called on Tony Abbott to meet a Labor commitment to halve the nation's homeless rates by 2020.

DRUG SIDE-EFFECTS NOT REPORTED
Australians don't always report adverse side-effects from medications and we're often bamboozled by information on the risks posed by medicines, a survey shows.

NEWSPOLL 'HEALTH BEST HANDLED BY LABOR'
Voters believe health and education are best handled by Labor, but the coalition is the preferred manager of the economy.


 

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