News stories and Media releases
Welcome to the News stories and Media releases page. If you have a news story or media release that you would like published on the LIME Network website please email us at lime-network@unimelb.edu.au.
Melbourne health faculty to boost indigenous numbers16 Aug 10 by John RossMelbourne has chosen some elite disciplines to strive for indigenous parity. The University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences has appointed an associate dean for indigenous development – claimed as a first for an Australian university – to drive its plan to more than quadruple its indigenous staff numbers. As associate dean, Shaun Ewen will implement the faculty’s indigenous staff employment strategy and build health science pathways for indigenous students. The faculty’s dean, Professor Jim Angus, said the population parity target was ambitious. The faculty currently boasts 11 indigenous staff out of a total staff of about 2100. It wants to increase this to 50 by 2013, to mirror the proportion of indigenous people in the general community. It also wants to increase indigenous student ratios over the next five to 10 years. Currently it has 25 indigenous health science students. Ewen, an indigenous Australian, is a senior lecturer in indigenous health and deputy director of the Onemda Koori health unit with the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation. He also oversees the Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education project of Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand. Ewen said the Melbourne Model had put the faculty in a good position to weave student pathways into its programs. “We will be identifying the links between the TAFE sector and the university health science sector, to identify, map, and market specific student pathways,” he said. He said he would work closely with the Australian Health Workforce Institute, schools and the Victorian Aboriginal community, with a goal of establishing clear pathways by 2013. Ewen said he would also aim for a more “community-appropriate approach” to let indigenous people know about positions available at the university. This will include reviewing the way position descriptions are phrased and promoting the support available to indigenous staff. He said he also planned a staff development program for indigenous staff, including a mentoring component. Across the country, indigenous Australians comprise around 2.5 per cent of the population. But they make up just 0.9 per cent of university staff – including just 0.7 per cent of academics – according to 2008 DEEWR data. Around 900 of Australia’s 98,000-plus university staff that year were indigenous Australians. And indigenous people comprised just 1.2 per cent of undergraduates and postgraduates studying health sciences at university that year. However, health sciences were a relatively popular choice for indigenous students, with around 19 per cent of Australia’s 8600 indigenous undergraduates and postgraduates studying health-related courses. Within the broader population, around 13 per cent of university students enrol in health science. According to the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association, there are about 140 indigenous medical graduates in the country, with about the same number again in training as at 2009. ABS figures show that indigenous Australians comprise about 1 per cent of Australia’s total health workforce, including just 0.2 per cent of GPs, medical specialists and dentists. They comprise 0.4 per cent of physiotherapists, midwives and dental technicians, and 0.5 per cent of registered nurses. Indigenous people are closer to parity in their share of health and welfare support positions, comprising 2 per cent overall – including 96 per cent of those working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. |
Universities Urged to Foster Indigenous DoctorsABC News, Bridget Brennan, 3 August 2010‘Dr Kelvin Kong says having more Indigenous health practitioners will breed a new way of thinking. Universities are being encouraged to foster more Indigenous medical graduates to close the life expectancy gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. The University of New South Wales (UNSW) had its highest ever number of Indigenous students enrolled in a single intake in 2010…’ Full story available at: <http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/08/03/2972503.htm?section=justin>.
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The silence has been deafening on Aboriginal health –
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UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous peoples
May 2010The Hon Dr Pita Sharples, Minister of Maori Affairs, ratified the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on behalf of the New Zealand Government at the 9th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York on 25 May 2010.
Sir Edward Taihakurei Durie congratulated the Maori Party caucus for the party’s role in securing New Zealand’s support for the declaration, saying, ‘Were nothing else done during the party’s lifetime, this one thing would be enough to secure for it a treasured place in Maori history. ‘Notwithstanding the progress made through all the tribunal reports and court cases from the 1980s, and the consequential changes in legislation and official policy, I would still rank the day that New Zealand gave support to the Declaration as the most significant day in advancing Maori rights since February 6, 1840’.
Indigenous Health Project Officers placed in General Practices across Australia
April 2010The Rudd Government has allocated more than 80 Indigenous Health Project Officers to general practices across the nation to help close the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous Australians.
Minster for Indigenous Health and Rural and Regional Health, Warren Snowdon said “These positions are placed in general practice to help provide better quality and culturally appropriate care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in mainstream health services. “It’s important to target this area because research currently shows the majority of Indigenous Australians, that is, more than 60 per cent, report that they go to a doctor/GP outside of Aboriginal Medical Services and hospitals” .
The Rudd Government has provided $34.7 million over three years for 80 positions in general practice, as well as a further 14 positions in the Divisions of General Practice network and the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector.
New group to shape dental improvements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
March 2010Aboriginal health services from around Victoria are contributing to a new statewide Aboriginal oral health plan. The plan is being developed by Dental Health Services Victoria with advice from the newly-formed Aboriginal Oral Health Reference Group, which held its first meeting at The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne in March.
The group includes representatives from regional and metropolitan Aboriginal health services who are required to take into consideration not only the communities they represent but also other Aboriginal communities throughout Victoria. The new Aboriginal Oral Health Reference Group will alert Dental Health Services Victoria to gaps in service delivery in Aboriginal communities, and will give advice on oral health awareness programs and materials.
Jacqueline Watkins, Aboriginal Community Development Worker at DHSV, thanked the members of the group for their positive first meeting. “It is very exciting for me personally to see us get to this stage, and I think our first meeting was a sign that we will be able to do positive work together around improving oral health in our communities.”
The reference group currently has a vacancy for an additional member. More information on the role is available from Jacqueline Watkins, Aboriginal Community Development Worker at Dental Health Services Victoria on 03 9341 1313.
Aboriginal Cultural Orientation Resource
According to the literature, many health professionals have little or no knowledge of the post-colonial legacies and cultural values of Aboriginal people, yet the impact of poor understanding undermines respect and compounds communication barriers. In recognition of this and the importance of two-way communication in health care, the Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health developed an Online Aboriginal Cultural Orientation program!
The online program, inclusive of information, videos, activities and links to further resources, consists of five self directed learning modules that promotes the professional responsibility of each participant to develop or enhance the skills they need to become effective independent learners in developing their own ongoing cultural competency, initially by gaining an understanding of:
• culture, self and diversity;
• the link between historical legacies and the determinants of health;
• common barriers for Aboriginal people in health services;
• culturally respectful clinical practice; and
• strategies to improve and develop cultural security.
The free on-line program aims to improve timely access to generic cultural orientation for health professionals and students; prior to clinical placements or on recruitment, or soon after commencing employment. It does not replace local cultural orientation, where information about local protocols, language groups, mentors and Aboriginal networks and services should be accessed to facilitate ongoing learning, which is essential for health professionals to develop a deeper understanding of Aboriginal cultural values and practices at a local level.
Gomeroi gaaynggal - Gomeroi babies Program
February 2010A new research program will investigate ways to achieve healthy pregnancies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. The program comprises two parts – a scientific research program led by Professor Roger Smith from the University of Newcastle, and an ArtsHealth program delivered through community groups to Aboriginal women of childbearing age.
For more information contact the Project Officer, Dr Kym Rae, on 02 6767 8476 or 0431 379 872.
Closing the gap – Lowitja Institute launched
February 2010National efforts to improve Aboriginal health and close the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and other Australians will receive a major boost with Canberra launch of the Lowitja Institute – Australia’s Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Health.
Named in honour of senior Yankuntjatjara Elder and national Aboriginal leader, Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue, the new Institute will host the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health and provide a more permanent home for CRCATSIH’s pioneering work of improving Indigenous health through research and the development of a professional and effective Indigenous health workforce.
Chair of the Institute’s interim board, Pat Anderson, said the Lowitja Institute would be Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander-led and like its CRC predecessors encourage a collaborative and supportive research environment.“The need for Indigenous control of the health research agenda is well recognised but it is also essential that the new Institute continues to build strong relationships with governments, academic and other research institutions and the non-government health sector including medical associations and nurses unions,” she said.
The Lowitja Institute and the CRCATSIH has developed a new research agenda with three program areas:
• Healthy Start, Healthy Life
• Healthy Communities andSettings
• Enabling Policy and Systems
Ms Anderson said that the new research agenda will investigate determinants of health including relationship to land, connectedness to community and family, the impact of racism, and identity and levels of self-determination and community control.
QLD GP makes a difference to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
February 2010The establishment of the new national Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) was announced recently and sees the RACGP continuing its long‐term commitment to leading the way in addressing the challenges in improving health care outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Dr Murphy, who is the inaugural Chair of the RACGP’s new faculty, believes it will provide support in terms of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health across the multi‐faceted spectrum of general practice, incorporating a collaborative care approach. There is no “one‐size‐fits‐all” model in regards to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. GPs now have somewhere to go for support with these issues and the RACGP is providing specific direction for GPs for how to effectively deal with these communities, as well as providing increased cultural awareness.
“This is an exciting time for the college and I know this initiative will be successful because of the dedication of the team involved. I found the process to get the faculty up and running to be easy as the timing was right. People are now more aware than ever of the health issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and my main focus in the coming years will be attracting and retaining people to assist in this cause”. he said.
New CEO for new Indigenous health body
January 2010The former Director of the Allied Health Workforce Section in the Department of Health and Ageing has been appointed the first CEO of Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA). The IAHA Board of Indigenous Directors, representing a range of allied health professions that contribute to the health of Indigenous peoples and their communities, welcomes Craig Dukes with his wealth of experience working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and Australian government departments.
Indigenous Allied Health Australia offers Indigenous leadership, knowledge and experience in the development of strategies and pilot projects to address aspects of allied health training and the inequities in the availability of allied health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“IAHA was established in June 2009 and already has a large Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander membership.” Mr Dukes said. “This membership is growing rapidly and I believe that IAHA has major potential, through its membership, to achieve its vision for equality in health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I am immensely excited and honoured to be appointed as the CEO of such a dynamic and visionary organisation.”
LIME Connection III Conference media articles
December 2009Paving the Way for Indigenous Doctors - The University of Queensland’s School of Medicine News
AIDA congratulates seven Indigenous medical pioneers
Closing the Gap Clearinghouse goes live!
October 2009On 30 October the Closing the Gap Clearinghouse went ‘live’. The Closing the Gap Clearinghouse is a central online source of research and information on what works to close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage. The Clearinghouse focuses on what works to overcome the problems rather than outlining the nature or extent of the problems. A key feature of the Clearinghouse is the Quality Assessed Collection which will hold research that has been assessed by experts. These assessments will enable users to understand the type and quality of research they are accessing.
Learn more about the Clearinghouse resources — over 4,700 items are now available in the collection.
An Overview of Statutory and Administrative Datasets: Describing the Health of Victoria's Aboriginal Infants, Children and Young People
August 2009Thisreport is the first arising from the Victorian Aboriginal Child Mortality Study, 1988-2008. The first of its kind in Victoria, this report investigates population-based administrative and statutory datasets that collect information describing the health of Victoria's Aboriginal (and non-Aboriginal) infants, children and young people.
The report is available in hard copy from the following:
A/Prof. Jane Freemantle E: j.freemantle@unimelb.edu.au or
Ms Bree Heffernan E: breeh@unimelb.edu.au
Sharing our Stories and Building on our Strengths
For the Fitzroy Stars Football Club, football is more than a game. The club nurtures a culture that promotes healthy lifestyles and offers pathways to employment. Its just one local Koori organisation in Melbourne working to benefit the social and emotional well being of community members. Such work has been documented in a new film, Sharing Our Stories, Building on Our Strengths produced by Onemda Vic Health Koori Health Unit and the faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences.
Australian Curriculum Framework for Junior Doctors
The Confederation of Postgraduate Medical Education Councils (CPMEC) has recently undertaken the first major revision of the curriculum framework since its development. This revision has incorporated feedback received since the launch and to ensure that the capabilities within the framework are able to be assessed. A two month period of intensive review and consultation is now under way. A PDF copy of the revised ACF for review can be downloaded from their site.
Feedback on the revised curriculum framework can be provided in writing to Ms Debbie Paltridge, the ACF, National Project Coordinator at dpaltridge@cpmec.org.au.
Making two worlds work: building the capacity of the health and community sector to work effectively and respectfully with our Aboriginal community” (2008)
This is a great resource developed by the Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation and Women's Health Goulburn North East in Victoria. The aim is to assist health care workers to provide culturally competent health care to Indigenous peoples.
The kit consists of posters; audit tool kit; working with Aboriginal clients and organisations; using an Aboriginal health promotion framework through an Aboriginal lens; CD with Indigenous images; DVD and Welcome sticker and template; information guide providing answers about Aboriginal health, history and protocols. This initiative won the 2009 Victorian Health Care Awards - Reducing Health Inequalities section.