The Weekly Update

Dear CRANAplus members,

Our CRANAplus offices both north and south are a hive of activity in preparation for our conference next month. You can view the conference program by clicking on the sidebar link.

We’re fortunate to have speakers on a wide range of topics and delegates from all over the country joining us in Alice this year. There will be singing and dancing and debate! Take this opportunity to catch up with old friends and develop new networks as we showcase CRANAplus’ hometown.

Do you work with an outstanding colleague? Here’s your opportunity to acknowledge their contribution to their chosen field. The Aurora Award is presented to one person whose outstanding contribution stands out as ‘A Shining Light’ in the remote health sector. You are able to nominate someone from any health discipline.
To support the nomination of your friend, colleague or mentor for this award, please submit a short passage describing their achievement and your reason for their nomination. Nomination forms can be found on our website.

We’d like to draw your attention again to the NT Department of Health and Families Review of Nursing and Midwifery Education and Training, across all government and non-government sectors of the Northern Territory. If you are a nurse, midwife, or educator, we invite you to contribute to this review, through participating in interviews, focus groups or through an electronic survey.
See you in Alice,

Anne-Marie Borchers
Business Manager, CRANAplus
 

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Post-Conference Tour

Sunday 18, October

Conference attendees are invited to take part in a remote clinic visit being conducted in Hermannsburg. Space is limited and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.

A bus will depart the Alice Springs Convention Centre at 8:30 AM on Sunday morning and will return by 3:30 PM. We are limited to 26 participants and spaces are filling fast. If you want to participate, contact Amy Blom via email or by phone at 08-8959-1106.
The cost is $50 per person.

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NT REVIEW OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY EDUCATION AND TRAINING

The NT Department of Health and Families has commissioned RhED Consulting Pty Ltd to undertake A Review of Nursing and Midwifery Education and Training, across all government and non-government sectors of the Northern Territory. The review aims to evaluate the access, coordination and integration of nursing and midwifery education and training across the Northern Territory, to provide a contemporary workforce to meet the needs of the population. The consultation process is taking place across the NT between 14th–25th September 2009.

If you are a nurse, midwife, or educator, we invite you to contribute to this review, through participating in interviews, focus groups or through an electronic survey. Go to www.rhed.com.au/nursing for further information, interview dates and survey links. Or contact Dr Janie Smith Email: janie.smith@rhed.com.au ph 02 6680 3998.

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Conferences & Seminars

T2DM Guideline Series: Diabetic Retinopathy, Chronic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Broadcast September 25
Diabetes mellitus has become one of the most common non-communicable diseases in the world and results in substantial morbidity and mortality, primarily from cardiovascular complications, eye and kidney diseases and limb amputations. Each year 3.8 million deaths globally are attributable to diabetes. In Australia diabetes is the fastest growing chronic disease, with the total number of Australians with diabetes and pre-diabetes now estimated at 3.2 million. It is the sixth leading cause of death in Australia.

Oceania Tobacco Control Conference 2009
Darwin, NT  - October 7-9, 2009
Scholarship Guidelines
Scholarships are available for Aboriginal people to attend to Oceania Tobacco
Control Conference from the 7th to 9th October in Darwin with a workshop prior to the conference on the 6th. The scholarship covers registration, transport and accommodation.  Full details on this conference and the pre-conference workshop can be found at www.oceaniatc2009.org
 

Australian Indigenous Doctor's Association (AIDA) Symposium
Darwin, NT -  October 3, 2009
The Australian Indigenous Doctor's Association (AIDA) is organising its 2009 symposium in Brisbane. The theme of this year's symposium is 'Healing OUR Way'.

 Diabetes Care at the Centre: the How’s, Where’s and Why’s
Alice Springs, NT - October 30-31
The objective of the Symposium is to provide health care practitioners in the region with the opportunity to learn more about the latest treatments and interventions for people with complex diabetes and to debate the challenges of preventing and effectively managing diabetes and cardiovascular disease in Central Australia.

 A Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Course
Alice Springs, NT - An eight week course starting October 5, 2009
Classes will be held on Monday nights from 6.30 - 9pm plus one full day on a weekend in November. The cost is $$75 for people on a good wage, $275 for other workers, $175 for people on pensions or unemployed. This is tax deductible as training. Please ring Nique for details/questions and initial interview: 8953 6462

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Scholarships Available

NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS ENCOURAGE HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
One of Australia's largest scholarship programs available for nurses is now open for applications. The Australian Government funded Nurse Scholarship Program (NSP) and Mental Health Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme (MHPSS) is administered by Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA) and targets key nursing demographics including rural and remote students and nurses, nurse practitioners, mental health nurses and people wishing to re-enter the nursing workforce.
 

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Articles of Interest

These are items that appeared this weeks news relating to remote health.  To read the entire story, click on the headline.

The Next Generation of Indigenous Mental Health Workers
Staff and students of the Dijrruwang Aboriginal Mental Health Program at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga have today been encouraged by the Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, to join the drive to develop and deliver Indigenous health reform.

Opening of StrongBala Male Space in Katherine
The men of Katherine marched down the main street together today to show their determination to take the necessary steps to transform their health and their lives.  Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery, Warren Snowdon, joined the march and said the event, culminating in the launch of a ‘Male Space’ at the Old Gun Club, should inspire all men to take action to improve their lives, their families’ lives and their community.

Help for People with Mental Illness in Remote Communities
People living with a mental illness in remote Australia will have access to much-needed support through the extension of the Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMS) program.  The Australian Government is providing more than $3 million over 3 years for two new remote PHaMS sites in the Northern Territory, which have been identified in consultation with state and territory governments.

New Drug Hits Melanoma's Achilles Heel
Scientists say a breakthrough drug for treating the deadliest form of skin cancer could be on shelves within a couple of years.

Prostate Cancer Warning
All men, regardless of whether they have a family history of prostate disease, are being urged to get checked early after alarming new research found many are dying of the disease in their 40s.

Big Tides Set to Bring Wave of Mosquitos
An expert on mosquito-borne diseases says recent big tides have provided mosquitos with ideal breeding conditions in the Top End.
 

Health Service Axings Must End: AMA
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is calling for an end to staff cuts within New South Wales' area health services.

Recruitment Drive on for New Midwifery Service
The South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health Service is recruiting staff for a new midwifery health care service at Shellharbour Hospital.

More Children Becoming Obese
One quarter of Australian children are either overweight or obese, a new report has revealed. The Australian Bureau of Statistics' quarterly social trends figures, released today, showed childhood obesity was continuing to rise.

Smoking to be Banned on Public Hospital Grounds
SMOKING will be banned on the grounds of all public hospitals from May 31 next year, with staff and patients to be offered no-cost nicotine therapy.

Get In Quick for Swine Flu Shots
The Federal Government is recommending all Australians be vaccinated against swine flu when a mass immunisation program begins next week.

Worries Aired Over Rising Youth STIs
The Greater Southern Area Health Service is concerned about the high number of young people in the Riverina with a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

ABC Radio National Health Report: Violence Against Health Professionals in Rural Australia
Violence experienced by health professionals in remote rural regions of Australia is increasing. We look at why this is the case and what needs to be done to rectify the situation.
 

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