Issue 11, September 2010
Welcome
It’s been a while since our last CEO Communiqué as AHCSA has been extremely busy this year. We hope to resume distributing this newsletter on a bi-monthly basis as we understand how important it is to keep our stakeholders informed of AHCSA’s progress.
At a national level we were pleased that Prime Minister Gillard listened to the health sector and reinstated the Hon. Warren Snowdon as Minister for Indigenous Health. AHCSA has established a strong relationship with Minister Snowdon through the South Australian Aboriginal Health Partnership and his reinstatement means that Aboriginal health will remain a high priority for the government and that the focus on Closing the Gap will continue. More >>
At the state level, we continue our regular meetings with Minister Hill and Tony Sherbon with the next one scheduled for 20 September. We also recently gave a presentation at the SACOSS Conference.
In July, the AHCSA Board met to discuss the National Hospitals and Health Reform. A Draft Position Statement has been prepared highlighting that the best way to improve access for Aboriginal people to both mainstream health services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services is to establish an Aboriginal Primary Health Care Organisation (APHCO). AHCSA is committed to working with SA Health towards establishing this organisation.
The Board also decided on the date for the next AGM which will be held in Adelaide in November.
In September, several AHCSA Board members attended the Healing Our Spirit Worldwide Conference in Hawaii. Presentations were given by Yvonne Buza, Jackie AhKit and Harry Miller as well as Yvonne Helps and Oscar Abdullah. AHCSA wishes to thank SA Health, NACCHO, Flinders University and OATSIH for their support with funding.
There’s also been a lot happening within the Secretariat including continuing review of the AHCSA Constitution, implementation of programs and visits to AHCSA member organisations. Due to our continuing growth, AHCSA had to seek additional office space at 50 Greenhill Road. For more read on.
I hope you enjoy this issue of CEO Communique. If you have any
queries, please contact Jacqui Nelson on (08) 8273 7200,
or email jacqui.nelson@ahcsa.org.au
Kind Regards
Mary Buckskin
Chief Executive Officer
Good Medicines Better Health
Negotiations are continuing with NACCHO and NPS on the contract for the national rollout of the Good Medicines Better Health training. Implementation of the rollout will begin in SA and Victoria.
Education and Training
There’s been a lot of demand for AHW training and bridging from the old qualification to the new.
Currently 260 students are enrolled in Cert III and Cert IV Primary Health Care.
The first two graduates of the Aboriginal Maternal & Infant Care (AMIC) course, Deanna Stuart Butler and Bronwyn Milera, graduated in Pt Augusta on 10 September. The course is in the process of being rolled out across country and metropolitan Adelaide.
Workforce
AHCSA is currently finalising the Workforce Needs Analysis of health and substance misuse services. To date there has been a very good response from members.
Good Governance
AHCSA is working with SA Health and OATSIH on the Supporting Good Governance Project. The aim is to look at how Aboriginal Health Services can be supported in a proactive way. CEOs and Board representatives from AHCSA member services are included in the Steering Group.
Accreditation
AHCSA recently completed an internal audit for accreditation and a submission is currently being completed for OATSIH.
A National Accreditation Workshop will be held in Adelaide in September coordinated by NACCHO with all Affiliate Accreditation Officers including AHCSA’s Paul Ryan.
Close the Gap
Work continues on the COAG Close the Gap implementation. AHCSA has been represented at the Implementation Advisory Group meetings and is working towards signing a Statement of Intent for SA with the SA Government in late October.
AHCSA News
The latest edition of AHCSA News came out in early September. If you have not received your copy or would like to be added to the distribution list, please call AHCSA on 8273 7200.
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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