News - 7 September 2011
7 September 2011
- News in Brief
- News at HealthWest
- Integrated Health Promotion
- Integrated Chronic Disease Management
- Population Health Planning
- Service Coordination
- For Your Diary
- Grants
- Call for Papers
- National
- Statewide
- Regional/Local
For articles from a previous HealthWest E-Bulletin, view our News Archive.
News in Brief
National Health Reform
Briefings are being held around Australia on the progress of the National Health Reform. The latest information about the briefings, including questions asked by participants, can be found at www.yourhealth.gov.au You can subscribe to receive regular updates by scrolling down to “Keep up- to- date” and registering.
New publication: National Health Reform: Progress and Delivery
A new health reform publication, National Health Reform: Progress and Delivery, was released today by the Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon.
The publication provides implementation plans for the delivery of health reform initiatives, identifying major milestones, key timelines and budget information. The publication also outlines progress and achievements to date, highlighting the many major milestones in the reform process now complete.
The publication can now be accessed online at yourHealth.gov.auNews at HealthWest
New position-HACC Service Development Project Officer
HealthWest is seeking an experienced project manager to work with existing HACC service providers to plan for future growth in the catchment. The successful applicant will undertake the broader development work required to address potential infrastructure, service coordination and workforce issues.
More info: see the HealthWest website. Applications close the 20th September 2011.
Integrated Health Promotion
$5.77 million for preventive health research grants
The Australian National Preventive Health Agency (ANPHA) if offering the research funding under the new National Preventive Health Research Grants Program.
Researchers across Australia are invited to apply for up to $5.77 million of funding to investigate new and innovative ways to combat alcohol abuse, obesity and smoking, and to strengthen the preventive health and health promotion evidence base and supporting evidence based decision making.
Applications must be received by 2pm AEST Friday 30 September 2011.
More info: Information about how to apply, including application templates and guidelines are available on the ANPHA website at www.anpha.gov.au.
Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2011-15 released
On 2 September, the Victorian government released the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2011-15. The Plan has been developed to meet the requirement of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act (2008) to identify the public health priorities for Victoria and sets the agenda for improving the health and wellbeing of Victorians over the next four years.
More info: Department of Health website
VicHealth announces new CEO
VicHealth has appointed Jerril Rechter as its new CEO, following the departure of Todd Harper.
Ms Rechter has a degree in education, dance and theatre, and a masters in business leadership. Her many awards include Tasmania Day Award, Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellow, Harvard Club of Australia Fellow, Australia Council Fellow and a Centenary Medal. Prior to taking up her role at Leadership Victoria, Ms Rechter was CEO of Footscray Community Arts Centre. This followed her work in various positions including Artistic Associate for the Melbourne International Arts Festival, and CEO/ Founder of Stompin Youth Dance Company. She has also evidenced her commitment to and interest in VicHealth through over six years as a member of its board.
More info: VicHealth website
Integrated Chronic Disease Management
Service Coordination and Integrated Chronic Disease Management (ICDM) Survey
The Department of Health annually conducts a survey of Service Coordination & ICDM practice in Primary Care Partnership member agencies. The aim is to support continuous improvement in the quality of practice to provide consumers with a seamless integrated service response.
In 2010, 13 HealthWest member agencies participated in the survey. Our aim for 2011 is to increase this number to reflect the work and commitment in this area.
This is an opportunity to get a picture of how Service Coordination is practiced by your agency, for example: response time to referrals, feedback to referral, multi-agency care planning and compliance to privacy requirements.
The survey will assist identification of agencies and sectors that may need support and those that are performing well and can lead practice. The survey results also produce evidence for existing agency and program specific quality assurance systems and accreditation processes. Reports will be provided by the department at an agency and PCP level which provide a local and state-wide comparison.
The survey and further information can be accessed on the Department of Health website. The timeline for completion is by the 31st Oct 2011.
More info: If you have any questions or would like assistance with survey completion, please contact Jenny Reimers or Agnieszka Kleparska at HealthWest Partnership, phone 9017 5843, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Population Health Planning
ABS releases new Gender Indicators Australia
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released the latest version of Gender Indicators Australia. The indicators presented in the July 2011 issue are organised in six domains representing major areas of social concern for gender equality - economic security; education; health; work and family balance; safety and justice, and democracy, governance and citizenship. The publication presents data for 49 key indicators and 42 related supporting indicators across all the six major areas of social concern. Some indicators are also accompanied with written commentary of key points and graphical representation.
More info: ABS website
Service Coordination
Service Coordination and Integrated Chronic Disease Management (ICDM) Survey
The Department of Health annually conducts a survey of Service Coordination & ICDM practice in Primary Care Partnership member agencies. The aim is to support continuous improvement in the quality of practice to provide consumers with a seamless integrated service response.
In 2010, 13 HealthWest member agencies participated in the survey. Our aim for 2011 is to increase this number to reflect the work and commitment in this area.
This is an opportunity to get a picture of how Service Coordination is practiced by your agency, for example: response time to referrals, feedback to referral, multi-agency care planning and compliance to privacy requirements.
The survey will assist identification of agencies and sectors that may need support and those that are performing well and can lead practice. The survey results also produce evidence for existing agency and program specific quality assurance systems and accreditation processes. Reports will be provided by the department at an agency and PCP level which provide a local and state-wide comparison.
The survey and further information can be accessed on the Department of Health website. The timeline for completion is by the 31st Oct 2011.
More info: If you have any questions or would like assistance with survey completion, please contact Jenny Reimers or Agnieszka Kleparska at HealthWest Partnership, phone 9017 5843, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Aboriginal Cultural resource guide
The Department of Health has released the Aboriginal Cultural resource guide as a quick reference guide to assist health services in sourcing and accessing some of the many cultural tools and training available in Victoria today. Cultural awareness, cultural safety and cultural competency are vital to an organisation’s ability to effectively attract, recruit and retain Aboriginal employees.
The guide can be downloaded from the Department of Health website
More info: Contact Sue Davey, Senior Policy Advisor, Closing the Gap Aboriginal Health Workforce, Department of Health on (03) 9096 7869 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
For Your Diary
Grants
$5.77 million for preventive health research grants
Researchers across Australia are invited to apply for up to $5.77 million of funding to investigate new and innovative ways to combat alcohol abuse, obesity and smokingThe Australian National Preventive Health Agency (ANPHA) if offering the research funding under the new National Preventive Health Research Grants Progra
Up to $5.77 million is available to strengthen the preventive health and health promotion evidence base and supporting evidence based decision makin
The Grants Program was developed by ANPHA with advice from the National Health and Medical Research Council.
Applications must be received by 2pm AEST Friday 30 September 2011
More info: Information about how to apply, including application templates and guidelines are available on the ANPHA website at www.anpha.gov.au.
NHMRC Partnership Project Grants
VicHealth offers support to research organisations who are applying to the NHMRC for a Partnership Project Grant who wish to have VicHealth represented as a policy/practice partner in their application to the NHMRC. VicHealth is interested in funding projects that will support health promotion and public health research and development.
The available funds and the in-kind support provided by VicHealth will be assessed on a case by case basis.
VicHealth Expressions of Interest close by 5pm 29th September 2011.
Statewide
Launch of Sex, Love and Other Stuff resource for respectful relationships
The Hon. Mary Wooldridge, Minister for Mental Health, Women's Affairs and Community Services will launch Sex, Love and Other Stuff a new respectful relationships resource for young men on 22 September.
Sex, Love and Other Stuff is an exciting new respectful relationships resource for young men developed by the Partners in Prevention project at the Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria.
When: 2-3.30pm Thursday 22 September 2011
Where: Theatrette, Level 1 Telstra Conference Centre, 242 Exhibition St Melbourne
Cost: Free
More info:
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by 14 September
CLOSING THE GAP ABORIGINAL HEALTH WORKFORCE - 2011-12 TRAINING GRANTS PROGRAM
Please find below the details for the 2011-12 Closing the Gap Training Grant Program to assist health services to increase their capacity to support and provide training opportunities for their Aboriginal workforce.
Training grants for 2011-12 are available for:
- Management and leadership training - up to $20,000 per organisation
- Nursing training - up to $15,000 per trainee
- Allied Health Assistance - up to $15,000 per trainee
- Dental Assistance - up to $15,000 per trainee
Submissions will be assessed at three times throughout the year and the closing dates for these rounds are as follows:
- Round one - 30 September 2011
- Round two - 13 January 2012
- Round three - 30 March 2012
More info: Download Call for expressions of interest, Submission form, Possible Training Providers
Nationally ACCREDITED qualifications in health consumer leadership and engagement
Health Issues Centre in partnership with the Victorian Quality Council will be offering training programs for consumer leaders and health service staff in October and November 2011.
The Course in Consumer Leadership (22095VIC) provides consumers with the foundation skills to engage and promote consumer engagement in health services.
The Vocational Graduate Certificate in Consumer Engagement (220929VIC) provides experienced consumer leaders and health service staff with the advanced skills and knowledge to develop and implement strategic consumer engagement in health services and government and non-government bodies.
Places in both courses are limited.
CLOSING DATE FOR REGISTRATION: 16 September 2011
More info: For training program details, outline of courses and to download a Registration Form, visit www.healthissuescentre.org.au
Regional/Local
Community Education Session: ‘Simply Busting’ - Victorian Continence Resource Centre
With support from Brimbank City Council, the Victorian Continence Resource Centre presents ‘Simply Busting’ - a free, fun and informal community education session about how to manage bladder and bowel control problems.
One in five Australians are affected by bladder and/or bowel control problems and often suffer in silence, do not seek help or are unaware of services available to them. Help is available and there are simple steps you can take to prevent, better manage or even cure these problems.
When: 10am-12pm, Friday October 7
Where: Sunshine West
Morning tea provided. Bookings are essential
More info: To register or for further information call 9816 8266 or email
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Download flyer
E-Bulletin Archive
For articles, information or links from previous issues of HealthWest's Weekly E-Bulletin view our news archive.