Our People to Live Stronger & Longer
Did you know that AH&MRC have created playing cards designed to promote the importance of holistic health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in NSW?
The deck covers physical, social, emotional, cultural, and spiritual health. This free resource can be used with clients by health workers and practitioners to suggest ideas on how to work on their health holistically.
What are the changes to Japanese Encephalitis vaccination in NSW?
People at most risk of JEV in 14 additional LGAs are eligible for free vaccine. This is in addition
to the previous 41 LGAs included. From 28 November, this includes:
People aged 2 months or older who live or routinely work in any of the eligible Local
Government Areas (LGAs) of high JEV concern (Box 1, new LGAs in bold) AND:
• regularly spend time outdoors (no time limit) placing them at risk of mosquito
bites, OR
• are experiencing homelessness, OR
• are living in conditions with limited mosquito protection (e.g. tents, caravans,
dwellings with no insect screens), OR
• are engaged in prolonged outdoor recovery efforts (clean up) following floods.
There is no change to people eligible for free JE vaccine owing to occupational risk across
Australia. For the complete list of eligible vaccine groups, see the NSW Health Japanese
Encephalitis vaccine webpage.
What is risk of JEV this mosquito season?
The forecast is a dry and hot summer. This generally means lower mosquito numbers inland,
and therefore lower risk of flaviviruses such as JEV. However, there remains limited evidence
on how JEV behaves in Australia during different environmental conditions.
NSW recommends people continue to avoid mosquito bites this summer: spray up (use
repellent), cover up (wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants), screen up (cover windows and
doors with insect screens) and clean up (remove any containers that hold water where
mosquitoes may breed). Further information is available on the: NSW Health mosquito-borne
disease resources webpage.
Why has the vaccination criteria been updated now?
NSW Health continually reviews the evidence related to JEV risk in NSW in consultation with a
range of health and environmental experts. Retrospective testing and modelling have
demonstrated the 14 LGAs in this expansion may be capable of sustaining the main vector for
flaviviruses (Culex species mosquito). Supply of the vaccine has also slightly improved in NSW,
creating an opportunity to expand the vaccine to those at greatest risk.
How can I order vaccines?
Vaccine doses can be ordered through the State Vaccine Centre:
https://nsw.tollhealthcare.com/ . For larger orders that exceed current order restrictions,
please contact the local public health unit (see below). For pharmacists interested in ordering
and administering vaccines, further information, including details of training requirements, is
available on the pharmacist vaccination webpage.
What are the cost considerations?
Japanese encephalitis vaccines provided through the State Vaccine Centre to pharmacists and
GPs are free of charge. However, patients have been advised that some providers may charge
an administration or consultation fee. To ensure equitable access to vaccination for those who
meet the eligibility criteria, NSW Health asks that fees are reasonable, and in line with fees
charged for administration of other similar vaccines.
Circulated by the One Health Branch, Health Protection NSW. For more information contact your local public health unit on 1300 066 055.
Helping Mob Live Healthy and Prevent Cancer is ‘one-stop shop’ toolkit for people working in Aboriginal health, with:
ü downloadable resources which can be used to support yarns with your clients about the benefits of taking part in cancer screening and healthy living. They include tailored checklists for men’s and women’s business and social media posts/adaptable flyer templates to support local promotion of screening and prevention programs
ü a resource directory featuring links to a range of tailored cancer screening and healthy living resources from trusted Australian health and cancer organisations.
The goal of the toolkit is to support the Aboriginal health workforce to educate and empower Aboriginal people to reduce their cancer risk – and ultimately contribute towards reducing cancer rates and increasing positive health outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW.
Lead the design and delivery of Primary and Allied Health services for Indigenous Australians to build healthy and strong communities.
Norwest Recruitment has been retained by Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service (WACHS) for the recruitment of their Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
WACHS has recently undergone a period of renewal and is seeking a new CEO to focus strongly on leadership, advocacy and community engagement through their range of programs and services.
WACHS is a not-for-profit organisation that provides specific health and specialist programs to support clients/patients in addressing their wellbeing needs and issues in a culturally appropriate way.
More recently, WACHS has taken on Aboriginal Primary Health Care services covering Western Sydney, Penrith and the Nepean Blue Mountains and operational management of the Moree Aboriginal Residential Rehabilitation Service. This position will require regular travel to these areas.
The CEO will lead WACHS from a corporate and cultural perspective, making sure the organisation achieves its community and funding outcomes in line with the Strategic Plan.
Reporting directly to the Board of Directors consisting of community members and specialist non-member Independent Directors, you will oversee and lead staff and be the key liaison to the Board of Directors.
The key objectives for the role will be to:
Given the nature of the organisation, we expect you’ll bring an understanding of health and well-being issues faced by Aboriginal families and communities in New South Wales – this is a must for success in this role.
Ideally, you are an individual with experience managing diverse teams, experience of corporate governance and a passion for the community.
To be successful in this role, you will need:
Desirable:
Norwest Recruitment has been retained to assist WACHS with this Executive recruitment process. Applications addressing the above requirements, including a cover letter and a detailed CV/Resume, should be attached in a single file when you hit the APPLY button above or sent to ross@norwestrecruitment.com.au
For a confidential discussion about the role please call Ross Chandler on 0488 810 334.
Please ensure your application is received before 5.00pm AEDST 11th December 2023.
NOTE: This role is only open to applicants who are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent through parentage, identification as being an Australian Aboriginal and accepted in the community as such authorised under s14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW). Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position.
The AH&MRC are seeking a casual part-time teacher to join our training team. As a Registered Training Organisation, teachers employed by the AH&MRC teachers must meet ASQA’s standards.
To apply for a teaching role you must have:
The Benefits
Your Day to Day
* Industry Experience (focus areas)
Please fill out the EOI form here.
For additional information please email: kedwards@ahmrctraining.edu.au
The CAOD Toxicity Response, Epidemiology and Surveillance (TRES) team are pleased to advise that the Prescription, Recreational and Illicit Substance Evaluation (PRISE) Program summary report is available online – (available here). The report summarises the key findings of the program over the period 2018-2021.
The TRES team welcomes any queries or comments at moh-prise@health.nsw.gov.au
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, AH&MRC held regular Regional Public Health meetings with ACCHO executives to ensure they were well informed, and to provide an opportunity to raise any concerns that they may have had.
We have since continued these meetings but have broadened the focus to include other key public health issues.
In 2023, these meetings have provided an opportunity to better understand how we can support you and your communities with addressing and responding to important public health issues. These meetings have also been used as a forum for guests, for example from Public Health Units, to discuss key issues that affect First Nations community across NSW.
We will be re-commencing these meetings on the first Thursday of every month from 7 December 2023.
Extreme heat events can affect everyone, however older people, people with medical conditions, babies and young children, outdoor workers, homeless people, and pregnant women are at greater risk to be affected. Not only the heat events but also the bushfires can impact health, and worsen health conditions.
As this summer is predicted to be very hot, it is important to plan and be prepared to stay safe and protect our community during the hot weather. Knowing the risks of heat, how to prepare and how to protect ourselves and others are very important to beat the heat.
NSW Beat the Heat Toolkit can be used to communicate to your local community to stay safe and take precautions and plan for the heat waves and fires.
For the latest information on Heat, visit: NSW Health – Beat the Heat.
For the Bushfires and bushfire smoke, visit: NSW Health – Bushfires and bushfire smoke.
In NSW FREE JEV vaccination is available for who are eligible including first nations people. Please ensure that all the ACCHO patients are vaccinated ahead of the mosquito season.
As per our previous Public Health Newsletter, from 1st November 2023 the Shingles vaccine Shingrix will replace Zostavax and the 2-dose course of Shingrix will be available FREE for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over. Please encourage and ensure all the patients at your practice are educated about the new vaccine and vaccinated against shingles.
Pneumococcal disease can cause severe adverse effects on an individual such as meningitis, pneumonia. Two Pneumococcal vaccines are currently registered in Australia;
Pneumococcal Vaccination is also recommended for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged ≥50 years.
World AIDS Day is held globally every year on December 1st. A day to honour those that have died from AIDS-related illness around the world but also to show support for people living with HIV and to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS within our community.
Although HIV diagnoses remain low in NSW for our mob, we are still being diagnosed with gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis which can lead to increased risk of infertility, long-term reproductive issues and further spread of sexually transmitted infections in our communities. This pinpoints the need for better prevention strategies including screening. We can all play a role in Ending HIV (and STIs) through Prevention, Testing, Treatment and reducing Stigma – see NSW HIV Strategy and Resources – Ending HIV
If you have any ideas on how you’d like to promote HIV (or STI) awareness within your ACCHO or community, check out the NACCHO grants – up to $1000 to help deliver your idea, be it a screening blitz, health promotion activity or in-staff training!
If you have any questions or queries, be sure to reach out to our AH&MRC Sexual Health Nurse Kodie at kalderton@ahmrc.org.au
