The Weekly Update

Dear CRANAplus members,

We continue to receive feedback from the over 150 conference attendees who unanimously agree that it was our best and friendliest conference to date. The trade show featured a larger number of exhibitors than ever before and changing the meeting to a Wednesday to Saturday format was well received. We’ve already begun work on the 2010 Annual Conference in Broome and will have dates and specific details available in the coming weeks.

This year we welcomed Adelaide based YNA (Your Nursing Agency) as a contributing partner of the Nursing Student Remote Placement Scholarships. The 2009 applicants were all nursing students, but with wider marketing of the program we hope to see students from other health disciplines among next year’s recipients.

The next round of scholarship applications will commence in early December, so watch the website and spread the word to fellow students.

Cheers,
Anne-Marie Borchers

Business Manager
CRANAplus

Conference Highlights

The Clinical Excellence Award
This year’s recipient was Doune Heppner for her work as a nurse practitioner and manager on Moa Island, Queensland.

Research and Education Award
Sue Lenthall was granted this honor for her role in the development of the CRANAplus Remote Health Practitioners program.

Management Award
John Wilson was recognised for his inclusive and community focused management style that delivers safe care to the clients treated at the Nganamna Health Services in the AP Lands of South Australia.

Primary Health Care Award
This winner of this year’s award is Bev Hamerton from Murry Island in the Torres Strait. Bev was nominated for enduring support of Primary Health Care training and her contribution to curriculum development and student support.

Novice/Encouragement Award
Lisa Hall brings enthusiasm and excitement to her role as a generalist nurse to her work in Fitzroy Crossing, West Australia. Her friendly and generous personality has made her welcome the community.

Collaborative Team Award
The 2009 award was granted to the RANs of the Outer Islands of the Torres Strait.

The NT Medic
Julia Denison has been awarded theNT Medic Healthcare Agency Award as the highest achiever in the topic HLTH8203 as part of the Remote Advanced Nursing Practice Program.
 

Aurora Award
The highest honor of CRANAplus was awarded to Robyn White for the 17 years of dedication and innovation she has given the people of Yorke Island in the Torres Strait.

Nursing Student Remote Placement Scholarships
Scholarship recipients for 2009 are Amanda Francis, and Nicole Low from Wollongong University, Kellie Tobias and Ester McMillan-Drendel from Latrobe University, Lillian Duthie from Monash University and Giles Barrington from the University of Tasmania.

Student placements ranged from Derby, Queenstown, Torres Strait, Broken Hill and Central Australia. All have said that they’re experience was invaluable and has strengthened their desire for a career with a remote focus. You’ll be able to read about their experiences in their reports in the next edition of the Outback Flyer.

Photos and more details will soon be posted on the CRANAplus website.
 

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Scholarships

If you are a rural and remote allied health professional and thinking of enrolling in post graduate education, please note the SARRAH scholarship closes on 2/11/09. Several of our students have been successful in securing this scholarship in the past. Click on this link for more information.

 

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Conferences & Meetings

Consumer-Centred Health Care: Policy, Innovation and Empowerment
 22nd - 23rd March 2010
Angliss Conference Centre, Melbourne
This national conference over two days will explore the emerging agenda of consumer-centred health care.
It is an event not to be missed for anyone with a passion for reforming our health system so that patients and their families are at the centre of the system.

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Articles of Interest

Preventative Health Agency Vital for Nation's Health
The Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Nicola Roxon, launched the National Preventative Health Strategy on 1 September 2009. The Strategy recommends a range of interventions aimed at reducing the chronic disease burden associated with three lifestyle risk factors – obesity, tobacco and alcohol.

 Dog Control Strategy extended until 2010
The Australian and Northern Territory Governments are extending the Dog Control Strategy until mid-2010 to help improve the health and safety of children and families living in the Alice Springs town camps.

Contractor to Fill Maternity Service Void
The Greater Southern Area Health Service cannot find specialists to cover maternity services at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital and it is now contracting the job out.

$6.1M in Regional Health Grants
The Federal Government has committed a further $6.1 million to improving health and infrastructure in 40 rural communities throughout Australia. The latest round of grants is a part of a $46 million package provided over four years.

Online Therapy an Option for Remote Communities
The Australian Institute of Family Studies says rural communities can benefit from online therapy. The institute has been reviewing the effectiveness of online mental health services.

1 in 4 Teens Live with Mental Illness
A report into the "state of young people" shows disturbing levels of mental and physical illness among Australian teenagers.

Cancer Council Calls for Rural Study Participants
The Cancer Council is calling on rural Australians with cancer to participate in a new study.

Suicide Leads Death Cause for Under 35s
Mental health experts say suicide is now the leading cause of death for men and women under the age of 35.

Hospital Head Wins Top Award
Patients at Alice Springs Hospital can rest a little easier, with the news that General Manager Vicki Taylor has won the 2009 Telstra NT Business Woman of the Year Award.

Euthanasia Bill put to South Australian House
A NEW bill to allow voluntary euthanasia in South Australia will face a conscience vote in the state's upper house tonight, as support for the controversial practice grows nationwide.

A Land Ripe for the Takings
Lex Hall reviews the Northern Territory's long history of promise and disappointment.

Upgrades Get Thumbs Up From Kids
A multimillion-dollar facelift is hoped to boost education outcomes among children from a remote Territory school.
The $5.4 million upgrade at the Borroloola Community Education Centre is one of the NT Government's largest infrastructure redevelopments of a regional school.

Deal Grants Queensland Doctors Shorter Hours
Doctors will be banned from working shifts longer than 12hours in an effort to fight dangerous doctor fatigue in Queensland's public hospitals.
 

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