The Weekly Update

Dear members,

Welcome to this Week’s Update. As you may be aware, there has been some controversy regarding the working of an amendment put forward by the Health Minister for Nurse Practitioners and Eligible Midwives to access the MBS and PBS. Our President expressed his concern about the wording and its implications in a press release this week, along with a request for clarification from the Minister. Click here to read the CRANAplus press release.

Mellissa Barrett, Nurse Practitioner and CRANAplus member in QLD has represented the organization at the federal Technical Reference Group this week, ensuring that the needs of people in remote Australia aren't forgotten in all of this 'change'!

The eighth AMA Indigenous Health Report Card – The Health of Indigenous Males: Building Capacity, Securing the Future – was launched in Darwin this week by the Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon and AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce. Dr Pesce said the Report Card this year highlights the tragic state of health for Indigenous males in Australia today, and proposes solutions that will ensure longer and better quality lives. To get your copy of the report go to http://www.ama.com.au/. Copies are also available (call in and collect) from both the Alice Springs and Adelaide offices.

Cheers,
Anne-Marie Borchers
Business Manager, CRANAplus
 

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Registration Open Remote Health Practice Program

Remote Health Practice
Postgraduate Nursing Programs

Graduate Certificate in Remote Health Practice (GradStart: 2GC072)
Graduate Diploma in Remote Health Practice (GradStart: 2GD042)
Master of Remote Health Practice (GradStart: 2CM054)

Applications are now open for this articulated program, developed in collaboration with CRANAplus and in consultation with SARRAH and ACCRM. The courses are conducted by Flinders University, through the Centre for Remote Health in Alice Springs. They are delivered through a mix of on-line study and on-campus intensive workshops.

The Graduate Certificate provides entry level preparation for nurses new to Remote Area Nursing and for nurses who have an interest in joining the remote health workforce.

The Graduate Diploma and Master of Remote Health Practice provide specialized education for RANs with a minimum of two years experience in the remote workforce.

Three themes underpin the content of each course: the remote context, public health principles and practice, and advanced clinical skills. For further information, visit http://www.crh.org.au and GradStart at http://www.satac.edu.au using the codes above.

Applications close 4th January, 2010

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Conferences & Seminars

The 3rd Annual Indigenous Career Development & Mentoring Forum
Sydney, NSW
17-18 November 2009
Aims to enhance the debate on how to attract, engage, develop and retain indigenous employees. The forum will feature a series of case studies and interactive sessions addressing key issues related to recruitment and retention, ongoing support and training, providing delegates with a deeper understanding and insight into how organisations can implement effective indigenous employment strategies.
A range of speakers from leading public and private sector, community and indigenous organisations will present their perspectives and experiences regarding the progress being made across the nation, the challenges being faced, and the possible frameworks for future direction and development.

Strong Stories, Strong Mob, Strong Kids: GROWING UP TOGETHER
University of Newcastle
Callaghan, NSW
1 - 3 December 2009
The Inaugural Indigenous Family and Community Strengths Conference (now known as the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Family and Community Strengths Conference), held in April 2008 was a great success. Due to the overwhelmingly positive feedback and support for this event, the Family Action Centre will keep the momentum moving and will continue to share stories, successes and strengths of Indigenous families and communities.

Lime Connection III
Advancing Indigenous Health: Workforce Innovations
Melbourne, VIC
2 - 4 December 2009
The aim of the LIME Network is to be a dynamic network dedicated to ensuring the quality and effectiveness of teaching and learning of Indigenous health in medical education, as well as best practice in the recruitment and retention of Indigenous medical students.

Quality Use of Pathology Project
Darwin, NT
18 November 2009
Consumers Health Forum (CHF) is hosting consultation workshops for health consumers in Darwin on Wednesday 18 November as part of their ‘Quality Use of Pathology Project’. The aim of the consultation is to hear from consumers about their experience of current pathology practice, and receive input on how these services can be improved. Anyone can attend Consumer attendees will receive a $100.00 participation fee. Flights and accommodation are also available.

Kimberley Indigenous Cognitive Assessment informational session
Alice Springs, NT
19 November 2009
Alzheimer’s NT and the Center for Remote Heath is hosting an information morning on how to use the KICA (Kimberley Indigenous Cognitive Assessment).
Kate Smith the Project Manager, Indigenous Dementia Services Study Center, WA is the guest speaker. The session will be held Thursday November 19 and is free to participants. Please RSVP to Alzheimers Australia, (08) 89 529 799 by Wednesday 18th November.

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Educational Opportunities

The 2010 First Line Emergency Care Program Course Schedule is out now!
To register, click on "Dates and Registration" under the REC or MEC courses sections of our website.

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Articles of Interest

Indigenous Baby Boys Twice as Likely to Die
A report has found that an Indigenous boy born in the last few years could expect to die nearly 12 years younger than a non-indigenous boy born in the same period.

Rural Hospitals Need More Nurses & Doctor
A rural doctor is calling for the State and Federal Governments to address a nursing shortage which is forcing the transfer of emergency patients from his western NSW hospital.

Rising Costs Threatening Health
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon has emphasised the need for major reforms because of massive rises in the cost of health care.

Dengue Virus Back in North Queensland
Queensland Health says dengue fever has returned to the state's northern regions.

Dialysis Emergency: Ministers Agree to Talks
The West Australian and South Australian health ministers have confirmed they will attend an emergency meeting on Central Australian dialysis services this week.

Indigenous Community Urged to Air Health Woes
Queensland's independent healthcare watchdog wants more Indigenous people to speak up about the quality of their care. The Health Quality and Complaints Commission (HQCC) says less than two percent of complaints made to the commission are from indigenous Queenslanders.

Aid Offer to Stem Tide of PNG Ill
The Papua New Guinea government is examining a package of health measures that Australia helped to develop, in a desperate bid to address the serious risk of drug-resistant tuberculosis and HIV crossing the Torres Strait.

Govt's Bad Report Card on Child Protection
Child protection has slipped off the radar, nearly three years after a damning report revealed child abuse and neglect in Aboriginal communities, according to a new report.

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