"The whole community working together to meet human needs."
General
NCOSS Health News Update January 2012
27 January, 2012
Welcome to the first NCOSS Health News Update for 2012. I hope you had a festive break.
NCOSS Health E-News is a compilation of health related news, publications, training and events in NSW and Australia for the community services sector in NSW.In this edition:
NCOSS Health Policy & Advocacy
Submission on Medicare Locals Fund
NCOSS wrote to the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing in December on the development of the 'Regionally Tailored Primary Health Care Initiatives through Medicare Locals Fund'. We recommended that Fund’s objective should be to improve access to services, and that it should include a priority to develop and implement targeted initiatives addressing health inequities. NCOSS also recommended that the overall investment in the Fund is increased consistent with the Government’s commitment to implement a stronger primary care system
http://www.ncoss.org.au/resources/120109-DoHA-Medicare-Local-Priority-Fund.pdf
NCOSS Regional Visits 2012
In March 2012, NCOSS will visit Deniliquin, Wagga Wagga and Albury to hold community consultations. NCOSS visits different rural and regional locations across NSW each year and holds a number of consultations to share information, discuss big picture issues and seek feedback about key local issues and potential solutions to address them. Workers, managers and board members of non-government not-for-profit human services and local government community services workers are welcome to attend.
ACOSS Budget Priority Statement
ACOSS has released its priorities for the Federal Budget in 2012, calling on the Australian Government to tackle waste while giving priority to those who struggle the most. Key health expenditure measures include $500 m to develop a national population-based oral health program, in place of the Medicare Chronic Disease Dental Scheme and Teen Dental Program; and $500 to introduce national comprehensive community based primary health care. Savings of $500m would be made by removing the private health insurance rebate from ancillary health cover.
http://acoss.org.au/images/uploads/2012-13_ACOSS_Budget_Priority_Statement_Final.pdf
General health news
Australia's first National Mental Health Commission
23 January 2012
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler launched Australia's first National Mental Health Commission. The Commission is led by the Chair, Professor Allan Fels and eight Commissioners and will formally meet for the first time to begin work on Australia's first National Report Card on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. The CEO of the Commission is Ms Robyn Kruk AM.
For more information, visit www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au
Update on NSW Health Reform
9 December 2011
The Director General of Health has advised that the proposed new functional organisation charts for all the new Divisions in the Ministry, and ACI have been finalised and are currently undergoing internal consultation.
Senior Executive appointments
- Chief Executive, Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) - Dr Nigel Lyons (from 1 February 2012).
- Chief Health Officer and Deputy Director-General Population Health - Dr Kerry Chant
- Deputy Director-General Governance, Workforce and Corporate Services - Karen Crawshaw
Recruitment to the Deputy Director, General Strategy and Resources position is currently being finalised and recruitment action is in progress for the Deputy Director General System Purchasing and Performance, and the Chief Executive of HETI.
Ministry Divisions
The following Divisions and Branches have transferred into new structures:
- Finance has moved within the Ministry into Strategy and Resources
- Executive and Ministerial Services has moved within the Ministry to Governance Workforce and Corporate Services
- Clinical Safety Standards and Strategy and the Clinical Risk Management branches have moved to the Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC) and commenced work in the CEC
- Salaries, Facilities, Technical Support Services, Library, Employment Screening and the Ministry Purchasing group transferred into HealthShare NSW
Free hearing services for young Australians
1 January 2012
Young adults aged 21 to 26 are now eligible for free hearing services, including hearing aids and cochlear speech processor upgrades provided through Australian Hearing.
Consultations & Submissions
Draft Pricing Framework Discussion Paper
Independent Hospital Pricing Authority (IHPA)
The Independent Hospital Pricing Authority (IHPA) has released its Draft Pricing Framework for public comment. The Draft Pricing Framework is a key strategic document for IHPA which lays out the approach the newly-formed Authority will take in its role created under the National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA) between the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments. IHPA is inviting public comments on its Draft Pricing Framework until Tuesday 21 February 2012.
A new ten year plan for mental health
Department of Health and Ageing
The Commonwealth has released a draft Ten-Year Roadmap for National Mental Health Reform for public consultation. The Roadmap will provide governments, the community sector, workplaces and communities themselves with a measurable, long term national reform plan for mental health. An online survey tool is open until 1 February 2012.
Request for input: Stocktake of health literacy initiatives within Australia
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
The Commission is seeking information on local, state or national based health literacy initiatives including evidence of outcomes to date. As part of its work on patient-centred care, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care is looking at how it can support patients, consumers, health care providers and health services to form effective partnerships through improving health literacy. The first step in this process will be a comprehensive stocktake of health literacy initiatives to identify programs, projects and initiatives undertaken to date. The findings will be collated and a health literacy resource describing these initiatives and identifying areas of good practice will be created for wider reference and guidance. The Commission will be accepting information up to Friday 30 March 2012. Replies should be titled “Health Literacy Stocktake” and can be completed through an online survey, a written submission or via email to ACSQHhealthliteracystock@health.gov.au.
Young Carers Project (YCP) survey
Mental Health Council of Australia
All young mental health carers aged 13 to 18 in Australia are eligible to participate in the YCP survey. The Young Carers Project (YCP) survey app aims to collect information from young mental health carers about their caring role; what sort of caring activities they undertake; how caring impacts on their day-to-day lives; what supports are available to young mental health carers in their area; and the appropriateness of these supports. The MHCA is also offering a $20 pre-paid VISA gift card to survey participants in recognition of their time and contribution. The app will remain live on Facebook until the start of February 2012, or until 1,000 responses are collected.
Policies and strategies
Isolated Patients Travel & Accommodation Assistance Scheme
NSW Health
The Information Bulletin outlines the changes to the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme effective 1 January 2012. Information in this Bulletin updates certain information contained in Policy Directive PD2009_042 Transport for Health - Isolated Patients Travel & Accommodation Assistance Scheme Administration Manual and the Policy Directive will be revised in early 2012.
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/policies/ib/2011/pdf/IB2011_054.pdf
Reports and publications (Australia)
Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) Concept of Operations - Addendum
Department of Health and Ageing
Since release of the PCEHR Concept of Operations on 12 September 2011 a number of policy issues requiring further consideration and refinement have been identified. The addendum to the PCEHR Concept of Operations describes these key points of change. A revised edition of the PCEHR Concept of Operations, incorporating these policy refinements, is expected to be released shortly
Mental Health Tribunal Reports
Law and Justice Foundation
Two new reports on mental health tribunals. Australia: Australian Mental Health Tribunals: space for fairness, freedom, protection & treatment?, provides a comprehensive examination of mental health tribunal hearings. The NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal: an analysis of clients, matters and determinations which deals with mental health theories, concepts and laws, and their application to the day-to-day operations of the various MHTs.
Reports and publications (International)
How can the health equity impact of universal policies be evaluated? Insights into approaches and next steps
WHO Collaborating Centre for Policy Research on Social Determinants of Health, University of Liverpool
WHO Regional Office for Europe
This report presents arguments and case studies from an expert group meeting convened to clarify the importance and challenges of evaluating universal policies, and to outline potential approaches to assessing the impact of universal policies on health inequities.
Silent Killer, Economic Opportunity: Rethinking Non-communicable Diseases
Sudeep Chand, The Chatham House Centre on Global Health Security,
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the greatest cause of deaths and disability for humans. Modest investments to prevent and treat NCDs could bring major economic returns and save tens of millions of lives. A coherent response might prioritize tobacco control and child nutrition, focus innovation on efficient community-based models of care, and ensure access to basic off-patent medicines. Where the economic benefits outweigh the costs, civil society has a major role to play in harnessing an effective response to NCDs
Why National eHealth Programs Need Dead Philosophers: Wittgensteinian Reflections on Policymakers’ Reluctance to Learn from History
The Milbank Quarterly - Volume 89, Number 4, December 2011
Policymakers seeking to introduce expensive national eHealth programs would be advised to study lessons from elsewhere. But these lessons are unclear, partly because a paradigm war (controlled experiment versus interpretive case study) is raging. The complexity of contemporary health care, combined with the multiple stakeholders in large technology initiatives, means that national eHealth programs require considerably more thinking through than has sometimes occurred. We need fewer grand plans and more learning communities. The onus is on academics to develop ways of drawing judiciously on the richness of case studies to inform and influence eHealth policy.
Advancing the Global Health Agenda
Ilona Kickbusch, UN Chronicle, Vol. XLVIII No. 4, 2011 (30.12.2011)
In just over two decades, global health has gained a political visibility and status that some authors have called a political revolution. Global health has gained this political prominence because three agendas have reinforced one another in a variety of ways: a security agenda; an economic agenda; and a social justice agenda. The global health agenda brings together two critical action spheres of our time: managing interdependence and globalization, and addressing the growing inequalities within and between nations through development strategies. It also lies at the intersection of many policy arenas and is subject to a special dynamic
Health and social services expenditures: associations with health outcomes
Elizabeth H Bradley,1 Benjamin R Elkins,1 Jeph Herrin,2 Brian Elbel3, BMJ, 2011
This study aimed to examine variations in health service expenditures and social services expenditures across Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries and assess their association with five population-level health outcomes.
It found that health services expenditures were significantly associated with better health outcomes in only two of five health indicators and social services expenditures were significantly associated with better health outcomes in three of five indicators. Attention to broader domains of social policy may be helpful in accomplishing improvements in health envisioned by advocates of healthcare reform.Global health governance as shared health governance
J Epidemiol Community Health JECH December 14, 2011
This article develops select components of an alternative model of shared health governance (SHG), which aims to provide a ‘road map,’ to better effectuate cooperation on universal ethical principles for an alternative global health equilibrium. A global health constitution delineating duties and obligations of global health actors and a global institute of health and medicine for holding actors responsible are proposed.
Safety and security on the Internet - Challenges and advances in Member States
WHO Global Observatory for eHealth series - Volume 4, December 2011
The Internet has moved beyond an educational and research tool into a commerce and health care juggernaut. This publication provides the detailed results and analysis from the second global survey on eHealth. It emphasizes the need for citizen- and institution- government-related action and suggests approaches on how to build on existing initiatives and navigating the obstacles along the way
Case studies address global health research, partnerships, equity
BMC International Health and Human Rights - Volume 11 Supplement 2 – November 2011
Sustainable partnerships. Community engagement. Impact on health policy and practice. These are among the common themes in a collection of 10 case studies showcasing effective global health research. The collection provides practical, transferable lessons for research partnerships working to address health inequities
Health research systems: promoting health equity or economic competitiveness?
Michael Kirby Centre for Public Health and Human Rights, Monash University
Investment in health policy and systems research in developing countries is essential to reduce global health inequities but funding for international research is mainly channeled towards the development of new medical interventions. This diverts funding away from research that is needed to implement existing interventions and to strengthen health systems. Governments must restructure their research laws and policies to increase this essential research in developing countries
Resources
Health Statistics NSW
NSW Health
Health Statistics NSW is an interactive, web-based application that allows users to access data and tailor reports about the health of the New South Wales population for their own use. Health Statistics NSW provides information on:
- the health status and demography of the NSW community
- health inequalities and the determinants of health
- the burden of disease and current health challenges
- trends in health and comparisons between age groups and geographic locations.
Until 2010, NSW health data was made accessible to NSW Health staff and the public through the Electronic Chief Health Officer’s Report (e-CHO) and a hard copy Summary Report. In 2010/2011, a significant technical redesign has resulted in improved access to an expanded range of data reports through a dynamic, user-driven application.
Health Systems Evidence website
McMaster Health Forum
Health Systems Evidence is a valuable resource for policymakers, stakeholders and researchers seeking to address today’s most pressing health challenges. It is a continuously updated repository of syntheses of research evidence about health system governance, financial and delivery arrangements.
Video tutorial about Health Systems Evidence - McMaster Health Forum http://bit.ly/tf88y9 on how to make the best use of the site is provided, which will assist users to rapidly identify the best available research on a particular health system topic.
Health economic assessment tools (HEAT) for walking and cycling -transport infrastructure and policies
WHO Regional Office for Europe.2011
This booklet summarizes the tools and guidance developed to promote everyday physical activity: the methodology for the economic assessment of transport infrastructure and policies in relation to the health effects of walking and cycling; systematic reviews of the economic and health literature; and guidance on applying the health economic assessment tools and the principles underlying it.
Enhancing the lives of older refugees - A Self Improvement Resource for Community Service Providers
NSW Refugee Health Service
This resource aims to raise awareness, provide guidance, information and resources for aged care workers when working with older people from a refugee or refugee-like background. It will be launched on Wednesday, 22 February 2012 - Registration 9.30am for 10am start to 1pm at the Cabra Vale Leisure Centre, Broomfield Street, Cabramatta NSW 2166.
RSVP to Yvonne Santalucia on 0439 309 673 or email yvonne.santalucia@sswahs.nsw.gov.au
Funding Opportunities and EOIs
Nominations open for the National Drug and Alcohol Awards
Australian Drug Foundation
Nominations for the 2012 National Drug and Alcohol Awards (NDAA) open on Wednesday, 1 February 2012. They recognise the many people and organisations that are doing exceptional work to reduce the harm and impact of alcohol and other drugs in Australia.
Call for Participants in Medical Local Campaign
National Campaign for Consumer-Centred Health Care
For consumers, carers and support organisations, Medicare Locals provide an opportunity to develop and incubate innovative projects. The National Campaign for Consumer-Centred Health Care aims to enable Medicare Locals to succeed in this role. The Campaign will gather ideas and innovations from consumers, carers and support organisations through Coordinators, Team Leaders and Consumers and work to progress these through Medicare Locals Expressions of interest are invited from people wishing to participate in reform innovations in each of the 62 Medicare Locals in the following roles: Coordinator, Consumers, and Team Leader. National Campaign for Consumer-Centred Health Care aims to generate a broad movement for transformational change in health policy towards consumer-centred health care
CLICK HERE to express an interest in any of these roles
Call for Papers- Supplement on Applying Social Determinants of Health to Public Health Practice
Public Health Reports (PHR)
Public Health Reports (PHR) a peer-reviewed journal of the U.S. Public Health Service and the U.S. Surgeon General, is inviting papers for a Supplement on Applying Social Determinants of Health (SDH) to Public Health Practice. The editors seek manuscripts that advance scientific knowledge and illustrate how public health professionals can address SDH across a range of public health activities that promote health equity among populations most disproportionately impacted by infectious and/or chronic diseases. Deadline for submission: May 1, 2012.
Rural Health Continuing Education (Stream 2) grants open
Rural Health Continuing Education
The third round of the Rural Health Continuing Education (Stream 2) (RHCE2) grants is open until 1st March 2012. Under this program, health professionals practising in rural and remote areas may apply for a grant to access, develop and/or provide continuing professional development (CDP). Just over $630,000 in grants is available.
Conferences, Events, Training
Public hospitals: What might the new world of activity based funding look like? NEW LISTING*
Tuesday 31st January
Sydney
Dr Sharon Willcox and Professor Stephen Duckett, two of the consultants who have prepared the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority IHPA discussion paper, will lead a discussion at a forum hosted by AHHA and NRHA.
Medicare - holes in the Net *NEW LISTING*
Wednesday 1 February 2012
UTS, Sydney
Is Medicare still meant for all of us, or only a privileged few? This free lecture details the failings of Australia’s Medicare Safety Net. It reveals a system with perverse incentives, prone to misuse and manipulation. It discusses the difficulty and confusion of the vulnerable in the community in accessing vital health services and the frustration of bureaucrats in delivering a universal health care system.
To RSVP: robert.button@uts.edu.au
Menzies Oration - Social networks, patient work and resources for the management of long-term conditions: a framework and implications for health policy *NEW LISTING*
Wednesday 1 February 2012
ANU, ACT
The aim of this presentation is to describe how social networks and the types of ‘work’ done by patients are centrally involved in the mobilisation and deployment of resources for chronic illness management. These ideas contribute to a novel approach in understanding, designing, and implementing new forms of self-management support.
RSVP via email mier.chan@anu.edu.au or call 6125 6803
Law for community workers *NEW LISTING*
Feb – July 2012
Sydney Metro and surrounds
Legal Aid provides free workshops for staff, volunteers and management committee members of community organisations. Workshops cover many areas of law, including Family Law, Mental Health, Domestic Violence, Social Security and other topics.
Undermining our food bowls: how CSG and mining industries are threatening future food & SFFA AGM *NEW LISTING*
Monday, 6 February
Sydney Mechanics School of Arts,
Hear about the fight against mining and coal seam gas from leading activists in the prime agricultural region of the Liverpool Plains, as well as from Doctors for the Environment. Learn what you can do to support farmers and food security in 2012 – Australian Year of the Farmer. The forum follows the Sydney Food Fairness Alliance AGM form 5pm, which all are welcome to attend
Nicotine Addiction and Smoking Cessation *NEW LISTING*
February 20 - 22, June 04 - 06, October 22 – 24
Sydney
Three day course that is applicable to Anyone with an interest in Smoking Cessation, Nicotine Addiction and appropriate evidence based Smoking Cessation Techniques. Aims to instruct on the causes, consequences, treatment and research of smoking cessation, nicotine addiction and appropriate evidence based smoking cessation techniques in practical application.
Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing: Looking After Ourselves
Tamworth Thursday 23 February
Wagga Wagga Thursday 15 March
Central Coast Thursday 22 March
Newcastle Tuesday 3 April
A FREE one day workshop that aims to enhance the capacity of service providers and Aboriginal carers in promoting carer health and wellbeing within the Aboriginal community.
Connecting Healthcare 2012
22 - 24 February, 2012
Sebel Albert Park, Melbourne, Victoria
A fully interactive discussion forum with thought leaders from across the healthcare industry in Australia, the potential impact of current trends in population health, funding and technology will be assessed by their influence on policy, staffing and funding
3rd Annual Technology in Healthcare Summit *NEW LISTING*
27th – 28th of February
Australian Technology Park, Sydney
In 2012, the two day conference will be focusing on the infrastructure and strategy that supports the delivery of today's healthcare – the technology behind e-health that underpins the latest systems and applications.
http://acevents.com.au/technologyinhealthcare2012/index.html#about
Australian Association of Developmental Disability Medicine Conference
March 8-10, 2012.
UNSW, Sydney
Australian Association of Developmental Disability Medicine (AADDM) is pleased to announce its 2012 Conference. Key themes for the AADDM2012 conference are Mental Health, Physical Health Across the Life Span and Health Services Development.
For more information please go to www.aaddm2012.com
ACOSS NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2012 *NEW LISTING*
29-30 March 2012,
Australian Technology Park, Sydney
The ACOSS conference theme for 2012 is ‘Sharing the wealth of the lucky country. It is the premier national event for policy-makers, researchers and those engaged in social services or advocacy across Australia. ACOSS member prices are being offered to delegates from all NCOSS member organisations.
http://acoss.org.au/whats_on/conference/acoss_national_conference_2012/
13th National Immunisation Conference
19-21 June 2012
Darwin Convention Centre NT
The Public Health Association of Australia invites you to take part in its successful National Immunisation Conference series. With around 600 delegates attending in 2010, this is one of PHAA's largest events that attract a wide range of professionals engaged in immunisation. Abstract Submission Closes on 7 February 2012.
The Third People's Health Assembly PHA36
11 July 2012
Cape Town South Africa
The People's Health Movement (PHM) is a global network bringing together grassroots health activists, civil society organizations and academic institutions from around the world, particularly from low and middle income countries. PHM currently has presence in around 70 countries.
http://www.phaa.net.au/documents/111215 3rd Peoples Health Movement meeting.pdf
'Population health in a changing world'
10th - 12thSeptember 2012
Adelaide Convention Centre
The second Population Health Congress, held every 4 years, will focus on population health in a changing world. To find out about submitting an abstract click here
The Quantum Leap - Measurement: redefining Health’s boundaries? *NEW LISTING*
24 – 27 September 2012
Sydney
The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) and the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals
Association (AHHA) will join forces with the Women’s and Children’s Hospitals Australasia in 2012 to bring you – The Quantum Leap. Measurement: redefining Health’s boundaries.
http://ahha.asn.au/event/quantum-leap-measurement-redefining-healths-boundaries
Australia's Sexual and Reproductive Health: A Call To Action
20-21 November 2012
Melbourne
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.
Missed an issue? Past editions are now online at the NCOSS website - hereDo you have any comments, feedback or items for inclusion in the NCOSS Health News Update?
Please contact Solange Frost, Senior Policy Officer (Health), NCOSS on 9211 2599 (ext 130) or Solange@ncoss.org.au with any suggestions for future editions.
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About the Council of Social Service NSW
NCOSS is the peak body for the non-government human services sector in NSW. NCOSS provides independent and informed policy development, advice and review and plays a key coordination and leadership role for the non government social and community services sector in New South Wales. Through current membership forums, NCOSS represents more than 7,000 community organisations and over 100,000 consumers and individuals.
