Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia Inc. : CEO Communique Issue 1

Welcome

Mary Buckskin, CEO for AHCSA

Welcome to CEO Communiqué. Every two months, commencing February 2008, I will send you updates on what’s happening at AHCSA and other important news in Aboriginal health via this newsletter.

The Communiqué will not replace AHCSA News which will still be printed and distributed every four months. Dreamtime Public Relations is currently calling for articles for AHCSA News on our behalf, so if you have anything to contribute, please email janet@dreamtimepr.com.

If you have any queries about CEO Communique, please don’t hesitate to contact Angela Francisco on telephone (08) 8132 6700 or email franciscoa@ahcsa.org.au

I hope you enjoy CEO Communique.

Kind Regards

Mary Buckskin
Chief Executive Officer

Member Visits

This year, more AHCSA staff will be visiting our members. The Workforce Issues Policy Officer, Public Health Medical Officer and Health Development Coordinator are all planning visits.

Strategic Plan Endorsed

AHCSA’s Strategic Plan 2007-2010 was endorsed by the Board at the Executive Meeting on 5 February 2008. Hard copies of the plan will be distributed shortly, however, if you would like to download a copy now, please click here >> Strategic Plan.

New NACCHO Chair and Deputy Chair

On 19 November 2007, Dr Mick Adams was appointed Chair of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and Mr Justin Mohamed was appointed Deputy Chair. Dr Adams first priority was to establish a good working relationship with the new federal government, however, he believes that although this is a key partnership that we must work on partnerships with all sectors including business and the non-governmental sector. “Only if we all work together can we turn around the 17 year life expectancy gap,” he said. Dr Adams other priority is to strengthen connections between NACCHO members, saying this is “the key to improving our people’s health”. For further information, please click here >> NACCHO elects new Chair and Deputy Chair.

Yvonne Buza and John Singer remain the South Australian representatives on the NACCHO Board.

QUM Nearing Completion, National Roll Out Possible

The Good Medicines Better Health pilot project will complete in June 2008 and it is hoped that there will be a national roll out of the project from this time. Meanwhile, Michele Robinson, QUM Project Coordinator, continues to support the delivery of Good Medicines Better Health Training at the three pilot sites of Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service, Victorian Aboriginal Health Service and Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council.

New Training Package

The Centre for Aboriginal Health Education and Training is scheduled to deliver the new Aboriginal Health Worker Training Package HLT07 with Certificate 3 and Certificate 4 (Practice or Community Care) in late July 2008, and the Diploma (Practice or Community Care) in 2009. These courses are for Aboriginal people working in Aboriginal Community Controlled and Regional Health Services.

AHCSA will also deliver Certificate 4 in Training and Assessment in late March 2008 and is currently piloting Certificate 4 in Indigenous Research Capacity Building.

For more information, telephone Graham Williams on 8132 6710 or Leanne Ritossa on 8132 6707.

CCRE Planning for the Future

Stakeholders will meet on 6 March 2008 to plan the future of the Centre for Clinical Research Excellence. Funding for the Centre is due to cease in September 2008 and we are looking for other funding to continue the work.

AHCSA Commends Rudd

AHCSA issued a press release to statewide and national media commending Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the Labor government for their prompt action in apologising so soon after their election win and for making it significant on the first sitting day of the new parliament. To read the full press release, click here >> SA Aboriginal Peak Body Commends Rudd. To read the complete Rudd speech, click here >>.

Close the Gap

AHCSA is working in partnership with Oxfam in 2008 to promote and raise awareness of the Close the Gap Campaign which is supported by more than 40 Indigenous and non-Indigenous organisations including Oxfam Australia. The campaign calls on federal, state and territory governments to commit to closing the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have a life expectancy 17 years less than other Australians, yet this is a situation which can be changed. Many successful community run health programs are making a difference and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander controlled health services have some of the highest vaccination rates in the country. For further information see http://www.oxfam.org.au/

AHCSA will be organising a get together for National Close the Gap Day on Tuesday 22 April 2008. We will let you know what is planned closer to the date.

Congratulations April Lawrie-Smith

AHCSA would like to extend warm congratulations to April Lawrie-Smith and family for their new baby boy born on 1 January 2008. April is on maternity leave for 12 months and Richard King has taken up the position of Director, Aboriginal Health Division, in her absence.

Annual Report Now Available

AHCSA’s Annual Report 2006-07 is now available and will be distributed shortly. If you would like to download a copy now, click here >>

Disclaimer
CEO Communiqué is copyright to the Aboriginal Health Council of SA Inc. (AHCSA). No part may be reproduced without the prior written permission of the Chief Executive Officer of AHCSA. Whilst every care is taken to ensure that the information contained in this newsletter is accurate, errors and omissions may occur. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, we apologise for any inconvenience caused and ask that you click the unsubscribe link below.

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