News - 21 September 2011

21 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

Medicare Locals

Please see below a link to a video with Federal Minister for Health, the Hon Nicola Roxon speaking on Medicare Locals, including some examples of two Medicare Locals: Barwon ML and Western Sydney ML.
video - Medicare Locals

News at HealthWest

Victorian Public Health & Wellbeing Plan – HealthWest response

HealthWest is planning to respond to the recently released Victorian Public Health & Wellbeing Plan and are looking to incorporate member organisations’ feedback and response. There are two mechanisms for contributing to the HealthWest response:  All members are invited to give their feedback either by e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by attending a lunchtime workshop.

When: Monday 3^rd October, 12:30- 2:00pm - LUNCH provided.
Where: Harvester Centre Meeting Room, ISIS, 2 Devonshire Road. Sunshine
RSVP: Meg Rees –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 9017 5843 or  by Wednesday 28^th September.
More info: HealthWest has created a summary of the Public Health & Wellbeing Plan, which can be accessed online along with link to the full Plan here

Save the Date: HealthWest Shared Priority Forum

The next HealthWest Shared Priority Forum (SPF) will take place on Wednesday 9 November, from 9am-12:30pm at Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre. The SPFs are an opportunity for the HealthWest networks to come together and progress work on a shared priority.

The next Forum will focus on the strategic and operational directions of HealthWest in lead up to the development of the next strategic plan (2012-2015). The input from our members and networks is essential to directing our work and resources so we look forward to your participation.

More info: Flyer will be circulated soon.

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.

Applications are still open and close Friday 23 September 2011.

More info: Visit the Employment section of the HealthWest website.
top

Integrated Health Promotion

Partnership Against Hep B – Workforce Development Project

Hepatitis Victoria is currently conducting a project to promote the recent availability of free hepatitis B vaccination to people with hepatitis C, as well as delivering education sessions for community-based organisations around hepatitis B, hepatitis C and the importance of hepatitis B vaccination. This free education session is ideal for community health teams, mental health teams, alcohol and drug agencies, rehabilitation services or any other community based agencies seeing clients at a high risk of hepatitis B or C.

Training will cover viral hepatitis, with a strong focus on hepatitis B and C, and the importance of vaccination against hepatitis B. There will be lots of time to ask questions, and a comprehensive resource pack will be given to each participant, and the participating organisations.

More info: If you are interested in having a Hepatitis Victoria educator visit your team, contact Louisa Walsh, Partnership Against Hep B Project Officer, on 9385 9106 or email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Australia's Sexual and Reproductive Health: A Call To Action

The Public Health Association of Australia, in partnership with Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia announce the first Australian conference to bring together practitioners, policy makers, scholars and others enthusiastic about improving the sexual and reproductive health of all Australians. The conference will be an excellent opportunity to hear the most recent research and practitioner wisdom and to make your own contribution to implementation ideas foreshadowed in the new National Women's and Men's Health policies.

More info: Download the flyer here

ABS releases snapshot of physical activity in Australia

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released statistics that provide a snapshot of adult physical activity in 2007-08.  The report also includes information on a range of factors which may influence these levels and the long-term health risks associated with physical inactivity.

More info: Visit the ABS website

Heroin and other opioids research summary available

The Australian Drug Foundation has released the latest issue of Prevention Research Quarterly. This issue focuses on heroin and other opioid use, including current rates of use, policy responses and treatment options.

More info: Visit the ADF website

Integrated Chronic Disease Management

Pilot test for new Self Management Practice Assessment Tool

The self management practice assessment tool has been developed by HealthWest to assist the chronic disease workforce in evaluating their own self management practice. The primary audience is health care professionals working with clients with chronic disease however the tool may be applicable to other workers who are using self management approaches in their work (ie. In ASM).

An online pilot test of the assessment tool is currently taking place, using Survey Monkey. The below link takes you to an online version of the assessment tool followed by a couple of feedback questions.
Survey Monkey Pilot Self Management Assessment Tool

Those working with a self management approach, or interested in adoping self management techniques into their practice are welcome to pilot test the tool and provide feedback. The pilot test will run until the end of September.  

More info: contact Libby Jewson at HealthWest, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 9017 5843.

Population Health Planning

Refugee Status Report: A report on how refugee children and young people in Victoria are faring.

In July 2011 the Victorian State Government launched the Refugee Status Report. This report examines the health, wellbeing, safety, learning and development of children and young people of refugee background living in Victoria.

More info: Download a full copy of the report at the DEECD website

Service Coordination

Staying Healthy in Our New Home - new DVD available

Multicultural Education Service (AMES) in partnership with Western Region Health Centre has produced a set of DVDs containing information about the health system of Victoria in a series of digital stories for speakers of Burmese, Karen, Chin, Dari, Nepali, Tamil, Dinka, Arabic, Hazaragi, Kiswahili, Assyrian Chaldean, Farsi and English.

More info: Click here for an order form or for more information email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   

Top 12 Refugee Health Resources for Clinicians

The Victorian Refugee Health Network has developed a new quicklinks section on its website outlining the top 12 resources in refugee health for clinicians. The quicklinks can be found on the left hand side of the homepage and include:

• Medicare item numbers factsheet and Q&A
• Interpreting for doctors
• Refugee Health Assessment template
• Red and general alerts for new arrivals
• Desktop guide for caring for refugee patients in general practice
• Comprehensive guide to promoting refugee health
• Australian Society of Infectious Diseases guidelines
• Vitamin D
• Catch up immunisation guide
• Asylum seeker eligibility guidelines and factsheet
• Health assessment on Christmas Island
• Royal Children’s Hospital Immigrant Health Service

More info: Visit the Refugee Health Network website 

For Your Diary

National

Oral health meets ehealth symposium

This symposium will explore what ehealth will mean to the dental profession, discussing an extensive range of teledentistry procedures and applications, as well as the opportunities and risks involved. The symposium is presented by the Oral Health CRC at the Melbourne Dental School, together with the Institute for a Broadband Enabled Society (IBES), the Victorian eResearch Strategic Initiative (VeRSI) and the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch.

When: 18 November 2011
More info: For program information and registration details, visit the Oral Health Symposium website

Statewide

Seminar: Snack foods and soft drinks- Access, consumption and obesity

This seminar hosted by Deakin University Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research (C-PAN) and NSA (Melbourne Group)

When: 4:30-6:30pm, 12 October 2011
Where: Deakin University Melbourne City Centre, Level 3, 550 Bourke St Melbourne
Cost: Free
RSVP: by 3 October.
More info: Download flyer here or contact Cathy Cooper, phone 92445027 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Thriving Neighbourhoods

Thriving Neighbourhoods is a Conference Series that explores the relationships between the built and natural environments and human health and wellbeing. It will present new approaches to the environmental, economic, social and human health caused by rapid urbanisation across the globe. The 2011 Conference focuses on the role of Local Governments in creating liveable, sustainable and healthy communities.

When: 25-26 October 2011
Where: St Kilda Town Hall
Cost: $850
More info: Visit the Thriving Neighbourhoods 2011 website

2011 Think Resources Summit

The Think Resources is a chance to join other community sector organisations to explore ideas for doing things differently and find out about resources that will help your organisation continue to develop.

Key speakers will include The Hon Peter Ryan MLA, Deputy Premier of Victoria and Minister for Regional and Rural Development and Simon McKeon, 2011 Australian of the Year.

Key topics will include:

• Resources, resources, resources: how to get finance or capital development, how to get support from philanthropy and business and how to use what you have to the maximum
• Innovation and technology: how ICT can really help you deliver
• Getting the right workforce in place for emerging challenges and needs
• New government, new context - what does it mean for you?

When: Tuesday, 18 October 2011, 9am-4pm
Where: The Capital – Bendigo’s Performing Art Centre, 50 View St Bendigo (free transport from Melbourne available)
Cost: Free
More info: Visit the DPCD website, or 03 9536 2510 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Chronic Disease Self-Management Special Interest Group

The next Self Management Special Interest Group is focused on Learning from the UK experience: Chronic disease self-management training and accreditation for Australia with David Breen, RTO Project Officer, Arthritis Victoria. David has worked extensively in the UK NHS where chronic disease self-management is an integral part of the national health services. He is now working to equip Arthritis Victoria as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). This is an important precedent in the delivery of self-management training in Australia where there are few courses accredited for training delivery.

Who should attend? Health professionals from hospitals and community health services working with people with chronic illnesses, interested consumers with chronic illnesses and carers, researchers in self management.

E-Bulletin Archive

For articles, information or links from previous issues of HealthWest's Weekly E-Bulletin view our news archive.