Policy

Consultation: Health Directorate Clinical Services Plan (closes 26 October 2012)
ACT Government Health Directorate
The Health Directorate Clinical Services Plan is a strategic plan that sets the framework for how clinical service delivery will operate in the future and how challenges, such as the ability to sustain a skilled workforce, will be addressed. There is a focus on improving patients’ journeys wherever they enter the health system and on reviewing and transforming services to better respond to the needs of individuals, including shifting some services from an acute hospital to a community based setting, and taking into account the needs of the disadvantaged and most vulnerable. For further information contact the Health Services Planning Unit on healthplanning@act.gov.au or (02) 6207 1068 or visit the Health Directorate's website
ATODA will be making a formal response to the strategy, for further information please contact Carrie Fowlie, Executive Officer, on carrie@atoda.org.au

Consultation: Strategic Framework for the Management of Blood Borne Viruses in the Alexander Maconochie Centre 2012-2014 (closes 31 October 2012)
The Strategic Framework for the Management of Blood Borne Viruses in the Alexander Maconochie Centre 2012-2014 (the Framework) has been developed to promote transparency and accountability in the management of blood borne virus infections in the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC). The Director-General, Justice and Community Safety Directorate and the AMC Health Policies and Services Advisory Group chaired by the Director-General, Health Directorate will have primary responsibility for coordinating implementation of the Framework.
For more information: See the strategy
ATODA will be making a formal response to the strategy.  For further information, to contribute to ATODA’s submission or for support in developing your submission please contact Carrie Fowlie, Executive Officer, on carrie@atoda.org.au

Consultation: Draft Strategy for Improving Care and Support for those Living with Chronic Conditions 2012-2017 (closes 7 November 2012)
ACT Health Directorate
The draft strategy outlines the aspiration, commitment, goals and priority action areas for the Health Directorate over the next 5 years.  It also acknowledges the roles of primary health care, complementary therapists, support and advocacy groups, other government services, non-government providers, family, friends and carers.  
Feedback is welcomed from any person, organisation or group who has an interest in the care and services provided to those with one or more chronic conditions in the ACT.
To provide feedback on the strategy: Complete the online questionnaire , email Cathie.oneill@quorus.com.au or post submissions to: Amy Vassallo, Policy and Government Relations, Level 2, 11 Moore Street, Canberra City ACT

ATODA will be making a formal response to the strategy, for further information please contact Carrie Fowlie, Executive Officer, on carrie@atoda.org.au

Review of ACT Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Service – Sector Response Workshop (14 November 2012)
Ms Katy Gallagher MLA, ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Health tabled the report The Review of the Need to Expand Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Services in the ACT, 2012 and the Health Directorate response to the report in the ACT Legislative Assembly on Wednesday 22 August 2012.The ACT Government has agreed to three of the recommendations, and notes six of the recommendations. Health Directorate commits to continuing to work with alcohol, tobacco and other drug support services in the ACT to promote quality enhancement in service delivery.  For further information:

• ACT Health Directorate Response to the Review (August 2012) (PDF File - 133k)
• Report on Review of the Need to Expand D&A Rehabilitation Services in the ACT (August 2012) (PDF File - 2144k)
• AODPolicy@act.gov.au or visit their website
• ATODA news for further background and information about the review

ATODA will be making a response to the review in consultation with stakeholders and liaising with the ACT Government regarding how the sector can be supported to implement reforms. A workshop with ATOD treatment services will be held to inform this response on:

Date: Thursday 15 November 2012
Time: 9:30am – 11:30am
Venue: ATODA Office (350 Antill St Watson)
RSVP: Essential to carrie@atoda.org.au
Papers: Will be provided in advance

Road Transport Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 – ATODA Submission
ACT Government Justice and Community Safety Directorate
The ACT Government sought views from the community on an alcohol interlock program as a measure to prevent high risk people, and repeat offenders from driving after drinking to reduce their crash risk and protect others on our road. ATODA has been calling to improve road safety in the ACT by implementing a comprehensive, collaborative and evidence-based alcohol ignition interlock program; and welcomes the recent ACT Government announcement to establish a program in the ACT.  To review ATODA’s work in this area see the:

• ATODA 2012-13 ACT Budget Submission
• ATODA’s alcohol ignition interlock proprosal
• ATODA’s submission to the Road Transport Legislation Amendment Bill 2012

Petition to the Federal Minister for Health to get new treatment for hep C approved
Hepatitis Australia
Hepatitis Australia invites you to join our petition to the Federal Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek, calling for urgent Cabinet approval to list two new hepatitis C treatment drugs, Boceprevir and Telaprevir on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule by 1st December 2012.
For more information or to sign the petition: See the petition

LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care Strategy: ACT Consultation (26 October 2012)
National LGBTI Health Alliance
The Australian Government is currently reforming the aged care sector. For the first time, the unique concerns and challenges faced by older LGBTI people are being recognised, and the Government is developing a national LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care Strategy to help ensure that the needs of older LGBTI people are met.
The Department of Health and Ageing has contracted the National LGBTI Health Alliance to hold broad public consultations throughout the country to feed into this Strategy, to ensure that your voice is heard during this process. This presents an exciting opportunity to express your thoughts on LGBTI ageing and aged care, and to influence future government policy in the area.
Public Consultations are being held
Date: 26 October 2012
Time: 9am – 1:30pm
Venue: The Griffin Centre, 20 Genge Street, Canberra ACT
RSVP and for more information: See here, email ageing@lgbtihealth.org.au or call (02) 8568 1110
 
 back to top

8th Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference

The Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference is the leading Asia - Pacific meeting addressing research and treatment around Viral Hepatitis. The 2012 Conference was held from 10-12 September in Auckland, New Zealand. Speaker presentations can be viewed on the website

Implications for the ACT
The ACT Hepatitis Resource Centre (ACTHRC) and the Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy attended the conference.  The ACTHRC have developed a presentation on summarising the implications and opportunities the conference presented for the ACT.  For further details please contact John Didlick, Executive Officer, ACTHRC, executive@hepatitisresourcecentre.com.au

Sign the Auckland Statement
The 2012 Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference
The Auckland Statement aims to focus attention on viral hepatitis as an urgent health concern that needs immediate action to prevent new infections and stop the rising death toll from cirrhosis and liver cancer. These deaths are avoidable, and by taking up the opportunities provided by new medical and scientific advances, scaling up services and approaches and working in genuine partnership with key affected communities we can build a response to viral hepatitis that is both effective and appropriate.
For more information: See the website

 back to top

Community Sector Reform

Delay to Commencement of Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC)
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission
The ACNC was due to commence operations on 1 October, however while the legislation has passed the House of Representative debate in the Senate has been delayed until the next sitting week (9-11 October). A short delay to the commencement date will not have a material impact on the sector with the governance standards, including the external conduct standards, and the financial reporting framework not commencing until 1 July 2013 and the first financial reports for medium and large registered entities not falling due until after 1 July 2014.
For more information: See the press releases from David Bradbury MP and Mark Butler MP

 back to top

Health Reform

My eHealth - New electronic health records for patients
ACT Health Directorate
My eHealth enables patients to access personal information relating to their health care. It has been designed to complement the national Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) and it is intended that My eHealth will integrate with the national eHealth system.
The initial launch of My eHealth includes a pilot group of consumers from the Health Care Consumers Association and a group of 40 chronic care patients. Allowing a small group of healthcare consumers to register for My eHealth means the project team can finetune the online service before making it available more broadly.
For more information: See the press release

 back to top

Sector Development, Activities and Events
Training and Professional Development

October - November 2012 Training and Professional Development Calendar
ATODA, Mental Health Community Coalition ACT and the Youth Coalition of the ACT
The ACT Training and Professional Development Calendar collates training and professional development opportunities for workers in the alcohol, tobacco and other drug, youth, mental health, family support and community sectors.
Download the training calendar
To include your training in the next calendar, email katrina@youthcoalition.net or call the Youth Coalition on (02) 6247 3540.

ACT Comorbidity Bus Tours
ATODA, Mental Health Community Coalition ACT (MHCCA) and the Youth Coalition of the ACT
The Comorbidity Bus Tour seeks to increase the capacity of frontline workers to support people experiencing co-occurring ATOD and mental health issues (comorbidity). The Comorbidity Bus Tour visits a variety of services in the ACT from the alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD), mental health and youth sectors. There are currently 3 bus tours operating (Tour A, B & C) with each tour visiting different services.
Upcoming tour dates:
Tour A :  

• Wednesday 14 November

Tour B:   

• Wednesday 17 October
• Wednesday 21 November

Tour C:   

• Wednesday 24 October

Cost: Ranges from $50 - $70.
Registration: Call (02) 6247 3540 or email katrina@youthcoalition.net
For more information: See ATODA's website

5th Annual Comorbidity Interagency Day
CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn
Join CatholicCare for a free sausage sizzle lunch to learn about the mental health and alcohol and other drug services that operate in the ACT region and how they can assist your clients.
Date: 28 November 2012
Time: 12pm – 2pm
Venue: Blackfriars Rose Garden, ACU Campus, 127 Philip Avenue, Watson
For more information and to register: See the flyer, call (02) 6163 7600 or email Stefanie.burvill@catholiccare.cg.org.au

Working in the Margins – Addressing Social Determinants in the ACT
ACT Medicare Local
This forum will look at the following:

•     Engaging vulnerable people in their own health care
•     Linking the health care sectors for continuity of care
•     Collecting ‘narrative’ as a legitimate reporting tool to influence policy and programs
•     On-going support and collaboration between ACT Medicare Local and the community sector

Guest presenters include Dr Jill Guthrie, National Centre for Indigenous Studies ANU and Samantha Davidson Fuller, PhD Candidate, PhD Candidate, Swinburne University.
Date: 25 October
Time: 5pm – 8pm
Venue: Boardroom, ACT Medicare Local, 41 Liardet Street, Watson
RSVP and for more information: See the flyer, call (02) 6287 8055 or email events@actml.com.au

Drugs, Policy and Public Health: Professional Development at the NDRI Summer School in Western Australia
National Drug Research Institute
Presented by experts at the National Drug Research Institute and other international opinion leaders, this one-week intensive program gives participants the historical and epidemiological background to alcohol and other drug use and policy in Australia. It covers relevant theoretical models, and provides practical insights into enhancing drug policy with specific populations (e.g. injecting drug users, Indigenous people), the community and in emerging areas such as drugs and the internet.
Date: 3 – 7 December 2012
Time: 9am – 4:45pm
Venue: National Drug Research Institute, Curtin Health Research Campus, Shenton Park, WA
Cost: $950 per person
For more information and to register: See the flyer, call (08) 9266 1600 or email ndri@curtin.edu.au

Since Strangling Isn’t An Option and Assertiveness… Why You Need it and How to Get It!
Peter Holdsworth, Director Pathways Training
These programs have been designed specifically for those working in community service organisations and participants will leave with a toolkit of practical tips, techniques and ideas that you will be able to use immediately.
These seminars are suitable for people who...

• Want clear strategies for dealing with unacceptable behaviour;
• Need to deal with a "difficult" employee;
• Want to build their interpersonal skills;
• Want to be listened to more often;
• Find giving negative feedback difficult;
• Want to become more effective communicators and managers.

Date: 30 October 2012
Time: 10am – 12:30 and 1pm – 3pm
Venue: Functions Room, Marymead Child and Family Centre, 225 Goyder St, Narrabundah
Cost: $220
For more information and to register: Email training@marymead.org.au or call (02) 6162 5800

 back to top


Grants and Funding Opportunities

The ACT Health Promotion Grants Program 2013/14 Community Funding Round
ACT Health Directorate
The 2013/14 Community Funding Round is open to community-based groups, not-for-profit organisations and government agencies. The aim of the 2013/14 funding round is to support activities that promote good health and the prevention of chronic disease with a particular focus on reducing health inequalities. Funding will be provided to organisations to strengthen the capacity of individuals and communities to make healthy choices. The funding round aims to build the capability of organisations to adopt health promotion principles, practices and policies and to deliver a range of health promotion strategies.
The Community Funding Round calls for projects that focus on the ACT Government Health Directorate's key priorities. These include: improved physical activity outcomes, healthy eating, smoking prevention/reduction/cessation, and responsible consumption of alcohol. Applications that target disadvantaged groups or those at risk of poor health outcomes are particularly encouraged. The funding guidelines will be applied flexibly to project applications received from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.
Applications close: 10 December 2012
For more information: See the Health Promotion Grants website, email hpgrants@act.gov.au or call (02) 6205 3837

Grant writing workshop for the Health Promotion Grants
Date: 17 October 2012
Time: 9:30am – 1pm
Venue: Ann Harding Conference Centre, University of Canberra
Registration: Closes 12 noon 12 October 2012
For more information: See the Health Directorate, email hpgrants@act.gov.au or call (02) 6205 1325

Certificate in Governance for Not-for-Profits – Five Full Scholarships Available Now
Chartered Secretaries Australia
This certificate provides a strong foundation for good governance, specifically recognising the requirements of Not-for-Profit organisations. Compulsory courses focus on the duties of officers and directors working in the Not-for-Profit context, and practical tools for managing financial reporting and requirements of the sector.   The certificate is comprised of six courses, all will be delivered in a three-day intensive format.   
The scholarships will be offered to board members and senior professionals of charitiable not-for-profit organisations who meet agreed selection criteria.
Applications close: 19 October 2012
For more information: See Scholarships Australia, email applications@scholarships.org.au or call 1300 248 675

See also Partners in Recovery (PIR) Update above.

 back to top


Wine industry adopting health warnings
ABC News, 25 September 2012
The wine industry is adopting health warnings on labels, including about the risks to pregnant women of drinking alcohol.
For more information: See the article

Government Welcomes Alcohol Labelling Initiative
Senator Joseph Ludwig, Mark Butler MP, Catherine King MP, Media Release, 24 September 2012
The Federal Government welcomes the alcohol labelling initiative launched today by DrinkWise Australia and the Winemakers' Federation of Australia.
For more information: See the release

Let’s have a transparent prison drug program
Canberra Times, opinion, 23 September 2012
Smoking rates among prisoners and those with a mental illness are far higher than in the general community. How can health campaigns target smoking among disadvantaged populations?
For more information: Listen to the program

Social media condemned for alcohol marketing
The Sydney Morning Herald, 20 September 2012
AUSTRALIA'S peak medical body has censured the social media giant Facebook for allowing alcohol companies to target children.
The Australian Medical Association released its report yesterday into the alcohol industry's growing profile in social media circles.
For more information: See the release

Communique – National Summit on Alcohol Marketing to Young people
ABC News, 19 September 2012
The AMA and the NAAA believe that the exposure of children, teenagers and young people to alcohol advertising and promotion should be curtailed by government regulation, which is independent of the alcohol and advertising industries.
For more information: See the communiqué

Health experts call for alcohol marketing inquiry
ABC News, 19 September 2012
Health experts meeting at Parliament House in Canberra have called on the Federal Government to establish an inquiry into alcohol marketing. The Australian Medical Association, which organised the summit, says alcohol marketing to young people is unprecedented, and embracing new platforms such as social media. The AMA says the voluntary self regulation of marketing has failed.
For more information: See the release

Smoking Among Prisoners and the Mentally Ill
ABC Radio National, 19 September 2012
Smoking rates among prisoners and those with a mental illness are far higher than in the general community. How can health campaigns target smoking among disadvantaged populations?
For more information: Listen to the program

Mary G gets the message out about FASD
Lateral Love Australia, 19 September 2012
Well-known Aboriginal woman and health campaigner Mary G stressed the message was an issue for the whole Western Australian community stating that ”while this is not just a problem for Aboriginal people, it is great to see Aboriginal people leading from the front with this campaign message to give our children a strong spirit for a strong future,” she said.
For more information: See the video

Puberty snooze: teenagers sink into the couch
Canberra Times, 11 September 2012
Teenagers are less likely to smoke and drink alcohol but are far more physically inactive than a decade ago, new statistics show.
Teenagers were the only age group less likely to have consumed alcohol, with the proportion of secondary school students aged 12 to 17 drinking alcohol at risky levels declining between 1984 and 2008.
For more information: See the article

 back to top