Weekly Update

Dear Members,

It's an pleased to be the one to deliver this weekly update on behalf of CRANAplus. I hope everyone enjoyed the long Easter weekend.

My report in the last issue of the CRANAplus Magazine was about the importance of spreading the messages of remote health delivery. I'm happy to report on a recent action by our board offering directions that provides more focus and an additional resource for our use in this effort.

At a recent meeting of the CRANAplus Board of Directors, a list of key messages was developed. These items will be the main focus of this organisation's advocacy efforts for 2010 and will continue to be through 2011. These key messages are listed in article below.

This list helps to inform members of the issues CRANAplus is focusing on and aids everyone by reminding us of the big picture. I hope our members find this list useful when talking to others about the issues facing this sector.

Please feel free to use these as you see fit and if you have a concern that isn't being addressed by this list, please feel free to contact me or any member of the board to discuss your concerns.

On another note, I would like to welcome Geri Malone interim member to our board. The board recently called for expressions of interest from members wishing to join the board to fill a three-month vacancy left by Lyn Hinspeter, while she takes a fabulous well-earned holiday. Geri applied and we are very happy to have her knowledge and expertise to compliment our team. Welcome Geri!

Warmest Regards,
Carole Taylor
CEO, CRANAplus

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Key Messages for 2010 & 2011

CRANAplus as the voice for remote health, strongly advocates the following:

1. Heath care is based on a primary health care approach. The gatekeepers of a client’s healthcare needs to be responsible for coordination and case management; this needs to be broadened from the current GP model to encompass other providers such as remote area nurses, nurse practitioners and midwives.
2. A nationally adopted scope of practice for all Aboriginal health workers is implemented. This requires both, a ‘clinical’ and ‘cultural broker’ stream.
3. ‘Single nurse posts’ are dangerous for patients and clinicians, a structured plan for phasing them out across the country is required urgently.
4. Remote area nurses have a consistent and nationally adopted scope of practice to ensure they are supported, empowered and prepared to meet the needs of clients.
5. Nurse practitioners and eligible midwives have uninhibited access to MBS and their clients access to the PBS to make these roles a viable alternative choice for clients when accessing healthcare in Australia.
6. The national minimum standard for emergency care in isolated areas, for all health professionals, is as a minimum the CRANAplus emergency care courses. Including an ongoing skills maintenance program with mandatory competencies.
7. All women have access to a skilled maternity care provider regardless of where they live and safe options should be developed for women who choose to have uncomplicated births where they reside, including remote areas. The closure of further birthing services in regional and rural areas are stopped.
8. Remote communities with a population greater than 200 people should have their water supply fluoridated.
9. The resourcing of the management of chronic disease is based on the chronic disease prevalence of the population served.
10. A minimum of 1/3 of health funding is quarantined for preventative care measures.

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Magazine Deadline

The deadline for the next issue of the CRANAplus Magazine is May 1. Submissions should be directed to publications@crana.org.au. Please direct any questions to Editorial Liaison, Paula Waggoner at previously listed email address or by calling 08-8959-1117.

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Meetings & Conferences

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

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

Inaugural National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Conference "listening, learning and leading"
16 May 2010
Adelaide, SA

SUPPORTING SISTERS AND AUNTIES TO SURVIVE!
Spread the word about the Supporting Sisters and Aunties to Survive! A Breast Cancer Summit for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women.
26 May 2010
Darwin, NT

2010 Primary Health Care Research Conference
Primary health care research and health reform: Improving care
30 June - 2 July 2010
Darwin, NT

Australia's health 2010 Conference- The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
23 June 2010
Canberra, ACT

Aboriginal Health Conference 2010
26 - 27 June, 2010
Perth, WA

2nd Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium "Winds of Change: New Perspectives on Rural and Remote Mental Health"
29-30 September 2010
Canberra, ACT

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
Brisbane, QLD

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Scholarships & Educational Opportunities

End of Life Care
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
A primary goal of medical care is the preservation of life. When life cannot be preserved however, the task is to provide symptom management and supportive care to the dying person and support to family members and others. Each year half a million Australians experience the impact of terminal illness and the capacity of our health services to respond is often limited. Appropriate end of life care, treatment and communication are vital skills for all health professionals. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

This program is also available on DVD, web streaming and audio pod-cast – log on to: www.rhef.com.au
 

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.

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Articles of Interest

DRUG TRIAL TO ADDRESS SCABIES
The Menzies School of Health Research is hoping the drug Ivermectin will rid the Echo Island community, east of Darwin, of scabies and the strongyloides worm.

RURAL DOCTORS WORRIED ABOUT DIABETES PLAN
Rural doctors say they are worried that a Federal Government plan to treat diabetes patients could widen the gap between city and country health services.

AUSTRALIAN MOTHERS 'SHOULD BREASTFEED LONGER'
The Australian Breastfeeding Association says the culture of breastfeeding in Australia needs to change if health benefits, such as the prevention of metabolic disease in mothers, are to be fully felt.

DISTURBING' RESULTS FROM VICTORIAN WORKER HEALTH CHECKS
Eight hundred Victorian workers have been instructed to consult a doctor immediately, after undergoing a workplace health check.
Over the past year, 100,000 State Government-funded checks have been completed.

NURSING HOME ATTACKS ON THE INCREASE
Australian nursing homes have reached breaking point due to chronic underfunding and staff shortages, with reports of physical assaults increasing by more than 50 per cent and sexual assaults by 36 per cent.

HI-TECH ALTERNATIVE FOR RURAL NURSES
A device touted as a future of health care in regional Australia is freeing nurses from long road trips, and instead beaming them into lounge rooms.

AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR 'STAGGERED' BY SUICIDE FIGURES
Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry wants to see an immediate upgrade of mental health services to help arrest a notable increase in suicides.

AUTHORITIES WARN OF DOUBLE FLU THREAT
Health authorities are warning of a double whammy flu threat this year, with both the swine flu and more conventional strains in wide circulation

HOSPITAL PLAN MAY NOT BE OPPOSED
Kevin Rudd has described as 'good and substantive' the discussions he has had with Victorian Premier John Brumby about planned reforms for the health system.

ASYLUM SEEKERS COMING TO AUSTRALIA
Authorities will transfer a large group of immigration detainees to the mainland, as Christmas Island struggles to cope with the continued influx of asylum seekers.

SHINE SA EDUCATION AND RESOURCES
Shine SA's Primary Health Care Teams offer a range of community education and health promotion activities that are aimed at improving the sexual health of South Australians.

PRESTIGE AWARD FOR INALA INDIGENOUS HEALTH SERVICE
The Inala Indigenous Health Service has been honoured at the inaugural Excellence in Indigenous Health Awards.

DIABETES EXPERT WANTS COKE OUT OF COMMUNITIES
A diabetes researcher says Coca-Cola should withdraw from the Northern Territory's community stores if it really wants to make a difference to indigenous health.

MUMS, BUBS GET AWARD-WINNING CARE
Kalgoorlie-based maternal and child health service Ngunytju Tjitji Pirni was the only WA winner in the inaugural national excellence in indigenous health awards, announced on Tuesday night.

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