The Health Scoop - Issue 2: Psychology and Social Work by The Nursing Post

theHealthScoop The Career and Education Magazine for Health Professionals

The Romantic Hearts Cycling for Fistulas

For two and a half Care months, the Bruno romantic Support Palliative nurse, Cordier, hearts drove vast distances across as part on his solo bike ride from Sydney toWA Perth of the ambitious, wide-ranging RhFFUS raising funds for Hamlin Fistula Ethiopiastudy

4 February 2013

- ISSUE 2

Psychology and Social Work

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Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note... Hi Readers, We are delighted to welcome you to Issue 2 of The Health Scoop magazine featuring Psychology and Social Work. This issue, we feature the Clinical Psychology Scholarship, one of five scholarships awarded each year to hundreds of allied health professionals in rural and remote Australia. Offered by Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH), the scholarships support psychologists in furthering their qualifications. Applications for Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme (NAHSSS) postgraduate scholarships open in August for study in 2014. To read more, turn to pg. 14. We also feature the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), and the benefits of their membership such as their varied CPD program and networking opportunities. For further information, turn to pg. 16. Holding a charity event or fundraiser on your ward or at your workplace? Share your photos with us and you could be featured on the cover of our next issue! Do you have an inspiring story or career experience you would like to share with our readers? We would love to hear from you! Get in contact with us at editor@healthscoop. com.au Our next issue will arrive on Monday 18 February featuring Aged Care. Until then, take care.

Naomi Byrne Editor

Cycling for Fistulas - pg 6

Next Issue: Aged Care

ABN: 28 105 044 282 PO BOX 6213, East Perth, WA, 6892 Ph: +(618) 9325 3917 | Fax: +(618) 9325 4037 E: editor@healthscoop.com.au W: www.healthscoop.com.au Next Publication Details: Issue 3: 18 February 2013 Content Deadline: 4 February 2013 Artwork Deadline: 11 February 2013 Printed by Daniels Printing Craftsmen Editor and Graphic Designer Naomi Byrne Sales and Marketing Manager Michael Kuhnert

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Courses and Conferences Events 28

Up-coming Courses and Conferences

Oceania University of Medicine

Technology Enhanced Learning in Health Conference

Delivering Consumer Directed Aged Care

Contents... Features 6 Cycling for Fistulas

Support Bruno on his solo bike ride from Sydney to Perth!

Cycling for Fistulas - Donate today!

8 NAHRLS

Great benefits and support defines the NAHRLS difference

Our Advertisers

34 Healthy Recipes

Featuring Emily Tan of Fuss Free Cooking

Inside Cvr

Compatible Care

Quick & Easy Finance

Mediserve Nursing Agency

TR7 Health

RNS Nursing

CQ Nurse

Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council

Crewe Sharp

Mediserve Nursing Agency

Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council

HAYS Recruiting

Continental Travel Nurse

Australiasian Academy of Cosmetic Dermal Science (AACDS)

36 Inside Bck Back Cvr

Psychology and Social Work 10

Black Dog Institute

The University of Western Australia

Services for Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH)

Innovative national approach launched to tackle substance abuse and suicide New book aims to transform Indigenous Social Work

Providing support to our rural psychologists

Australian Association of Social Workers

Social workers working in and for communities around Australia

Indigenous Health

Smart Salary UK Pension Transfers Australia RAHC

The University of Notre Dame Australia Aboriginal healthcare a passion for Nursing graduate

Cycling for Fistulas

Cycling for Fistulas Support Bruno on his solo bike ride from Sydney to Perth! them, as they are for women in Australia. After a prolonged and obstructed labour, the pressure of the baby’s head places pressure on the surrounding tissues, causing them to die. This forms an abnormal tract that develops between the vagina and bladder and/or rectum. Consequently, a woman will leak urine and/or faeces from her vagina indefinitely. Unfortunately, most of the babies die too. Not only does a woman suffer from this debilitating and embarrassing illness, but she will often be marginalised from society as a result. Her husband may leave her, she may lose her job, the very fabric underpinning her role in society can come undone.

Gracie Vivian and Bruno Cordier.

Many of us know women who have experienced long labours that have progressed to emergency cesareans. Perhaps our friends, sisters… even ourselves. At the end of the day, these women generally end up healthy and happy with a gorgeous new bub cradled in their arms. What most of us don’t know is what would happen to these women if caesarean sections weren’t available to 6

Obstetric fistula is entirely preventable with good access to midwifery or obstetric services in pregnancy and at the time of childbirth. Treatment of this condition is with a simple operation costing $600, with a cure rate of over 90%. It means that a woman goes from being an outcast with a deep sense of shame, to living a normal life again with a restored sense of dignity; it really is that dramatic. Dr Catherine Hamlin is an Australia obstetrician who founded the NGO Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia with her late husband, Reg, in the 1970’s. She started and still runs the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital and 5 smaller rural fistula hospitals spread out over Ethiopia, where 3000 women are treated each year (a third of new cases per year). The organisation also works to prevent the obstetric

fistula by running a School of Midwifery, attended by local Ethiopian women. The six hospitals and the school are run entirely on donations. Dr Hamlin has been decorated with many awards and prizes, and has been described as Australia’s living saint for her devotion and compassion. Our names are Bruno Cordier and Gracie Vivian. Bruno, a Frenchman who’s lived in Australia for 10 years, is a Palliative Care nurse at Bethesda Hospital, WA. Having recently graduated as an EN, he was inspired to do nursing after volunteering at Mother Teresa’s Home for the Dying in Calcutta. This is where we both met. I am starting rural GP training this year. A desire for patient continuity, variety and flexibility both in working hours and the ability to work rurally and overseas influenced my decision to pursue GP, as well as the availability of so many sub specialities that go with it. During March 2012, whilst on holiday together at a rural Ethiopian lakeside town called Bahir Dar, we met the staff and the patients at one of Dr Hamlin’s local hospitals, and heard their stories. We were so inspired by our visit that we decided to organise a fundraiser event for the NGO there and then. We named our fundraiser Cycling for Fistulas, and it is now in full swing! Cycling for Fistulas involves Bruno cycling solo on a push bike across Australia from Sydney to Adelaide to the Nullarbor to Perth for a total of 4097km. Having left on the 11th January, he will continue on all alone, unassisted and above all, in the soaring heat of summer hoping to arrive back to greet myself in Perth on Valentine’s Day.

live with the condition. Secondly, because labour and birth is a fundamental experience to human life (transcending boundaries of race and wealth) that we should all be able to go through safely. It is relevant to us all. Thirdly, because the obstetric fistula is so easily preventable and so easily treatable. Fourthly, because Catherine Hamlin is such an inspirational woman. We’d love the support of nurses, midwives and other health professionals across WA! To help us, please: • Spread the word to your colleagues and friends. • Donate at http://hamlin.org.au/bruno. • Attend our Welcome Back event for Bruno to be held on Valentine’s Day at South Beach in Fremantle (at a time to be confirmed closer to the date); bring your placards and a picnic and cheer him on as he rides home. • Leave messages of support for Bruno at cyclingforfistulas@gmail.com or on our Facebook page (search for Cycling for Fistulas). • Follow Bruno’s blog at http:// cyclingforfistulas.blogspot.com/ Written by Gracie Vivian

Our aim through this fundraiser is to raise $35,000 for Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, providing enough funds to run the School of Midwifery in rural Ethiopia as well as awareness about the obstetric fistula. We were specifically inspired to raise funds for this cause for a few reasons. Firstly, because obstetric fistulas really highlight the inequities of health provision that exist between the developed and developing world. The obstetric fistula was eradicated in the US/UK in the early 1900’s because of access to casareans - yet more than a hundred years later, 2-3 million women in sub Saharan Africa and Asia 7

NAHRLS

Mark Leddy, Camperdown Clinic Practice Manager.

Great benefits and support defines the NAHRLS difference Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Mark Leddy from Camperdown Clinic and as the Practice Manager I am responsible for ensuring that appropriate staffing levels are met to provide a service to our client base. The Camperdown Clinic has been providing cradle to grave health care to a client base from the Great Ocean road through to Mount Elephant and Lismore. The Practice has been employing Registered Nurses in the role of Practice Nurses for approximately seven and a half years. We are also geared towards education of doctors and medical students and therefore recognise the need for professional development and maintenance of skills. The local hospital is manned by the General Practice doctors and has a highly proficient nursing staff caring for the inpatients. 8

Camperdown is located in the Corangamite Shire and is known as the lakes and craters region. The township has a steady population around 3,700 whilst the shire has a population of 18,000. We are two and a half hours west of Melbourne and one and a bit hours south of Ballarat. The Great Ocean road is a 30-40 min drive away. Our community is primarily farming and small business with a small percentage of welfare based families. Patients are cradle to grave with an increasing percentage of elderly patients. Prior to utilising NAHRLS it was always a human resource issue having to utilise other staff to adjust their lifestyle to cover the Practice Nurse position when training was undertaken.

I heard about NAHRLS purely by chance; however, I’m glad the initial conversation took place. The assistance, guidance and professionalism were at the highest level. The whole evolution was undertaken with clear advice and, surprisingly, minimal paperwork. The high quality of candidates put forward allowed management to select the most appropriate for the locum cover position. If I had been recruiting a Practice Nurse all three of the candidates would have been on an interview short list. The great benefits of NAHRLS are no fees and charges. Our only financial commitment was to pay an hourly rate commensurate with the staff member being covered. NAHRLS covered costs associated with transport, accommodation and meals. I phoned NAHRLS as a staff member was attending a Pap Smear update but the course was being conducted 5 hours’ drive away. The requirement to ensure that our staff member was not placed at risk by driving up or returning on the same day meant that we could have them take an extra day to meet the travel needs and undertake the whole day update refreshed and focused. In this case, without the ability to utilise NAHRLS, the staff member’s accreditation may have lapsed as we could not cover her absence. The ability to allow health providers a staffing resource through NAHRLS certainly encourages Managers to support the endeavours of their staff in maintaining currency and competency. The Locum conducted themselves in a professional manner and performed all tasks required in an appropriate manner. Communication between admin and health providers was clear and concise. Medical notes were also well written. I am quite sure that the locum, although only here for a short time, did enjoy the experience. NAHRLS is easy, professional and the locum provided was high quality so I would not have any hesitation in recommending NAHRLS to others and using them again in the near future.

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Psychology and Social Work

Black Dog Institute Innovative national approach launched to tackle substance abuse and suicide Federal Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek and Federal Minister for Mental Health, Mark Butler co-launched national research centres last week into two of the most pressing mental health issues affecting the Australian community - substance use and suicide. Despite considerable funding and community attention over the last five years, suicide is still the biggest killer of Australians aged between 15 - 40. As well as being a known trigger for suicide, co-morbid mental illness and substance use impacts around 300,000 Australians and can result in significant social and physical impairment. 10

According to Professor Helen Christensen, lead researcher and Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute at UNSW, the launch of these new research centres marks the first time clinical and research experts from around Australia have united to target these areas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Specialists from a wide range of backgrounds including psychology, psychiatry, public health and community education are involved to ensure the clinical outcomes are relevant and accessible for all at-risk individuals and groups around the country including rural, indigenous, youth and multicultural communities.â&#x20AC;?

“Unlike more traditional public health programmes, these Centres will focus on prevention and intervention. These areas have been neglected in the past due to the complexity of physical and environmental triggers and the associated stigma.” “The combined expertise within these Centres, and the incorporation of new delivery techniques such as eHealth, will enable us to identify who is at risk and target them with programmes designed for them specifically.” “This approach will not only reduce the money spent on costly in-patient services, it will save lives.” The Centre for Research Excellence in Suicide Prevention and the Centre for Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use are both funded for five years through the National Health and Medical Research Council.

“The CRE in Suicide Prevention does not provide crisis services. If you are feeling suicidal please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467 for immediate support.” For further information about Black Dog Institute, please visit www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

Work where you are valued and cared for Placements in rural, remote, coastal and city locations Your needs, interests and skills matched to placements Team rewards and CPD programs

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Psychology and Social Work

Pictured left to right: The University of Western Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Honorary Research Fellow Violet Bacon, Associate Professors Dawn Bessarab (holding book) and Frances Crawford, both from Curtin University.

The University of Western Australia New book aims to transform Indigenous Social Work Social workers from around Australia have contributed ground-breaking cultural learnings to a new book which could change the face of Indigenous social work in Australia. Our Voices: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Work is a collection of writings about Indigenous social work practice, contributed by Indigenous and nonIndigenous social work educators and students, including Assistant Professor Violet Bacon from The University of Western Australia. The book, which was released November last year, was Assistant Professor Baconâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last major project before her recent retirement. It brings together for the first time the 12

collective voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social workers. Ms Bacon, an Honorary Research Fellow who has been teaching the Indigenous People and Social Work unit at UWA for the past 14 years, said the book provided valuable insights into how social work practice could be developed, taught and practised in ways that are culturally safe and competent. Another contributor, Associate Professor Dawn Bessarab of Curtin University, said the authors hoped the book would be used as a foundation to transform Australian social work into a model which honours its ethical and moral aims and serves the best interests of all.

Our Voices explores important contemporary social work practice issues including cultural supervision, working with communities, understanding trauma, collaboration and relationship building, and narrative practice. Ms Bacon, who contributed the chapter Yarning and Listening: yarning and learning through stories, said the book would be a valuable asset to all social workers in the field and a great resource for social work academics. Each chapter would help current and future social workers learn about Indigenous social work practice through stories contained in the written word. Ms Bacon’s chapter strongly links Narrative Therapy counselling practice with the story-telling practice of Indigenous people in the Dreamtime which is still very present in Indigenous culture today. “These oral stories, passed down through generation after generation, impart essential knowledge about Law, cultural values, belief systems and many other important elements that are essential to know,” Ms Bacon said. “The introduction of digital technologies has now provided another avenue for the stories to be told but also for them never to be lost. “What this book will do is open the door for other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social workers to think about writing a second book for social work practice. This will mean our collective voices will continue to grow stronger.” She said an essential element of any Indigenous People and Social Work course should be to help social workers learn and understand Indigenous history, culture, communications and ways of living and working in Indigenous communities. To ensure culturally safe and competent practice, social workers should also learn about “self”.

Having an Indigenous lecturer teaching and Indigenous guest presenters included in a social work course related to Indigenous people also was crucial for students’ learning, so they became aware of the wide diversity among Indigenous people. Ms Bacon was the first Indigenous lecturer appointed to the School of Social Work and Social Policy at UWA. In 2008, she won the national Neville Bonner Award for Indigenous Education. She was involved, with fellow book contributors Joanna Zubrzycki and Bindi Bennett, in research which won the Norm Smith Publication in Social Work Research Award for 2011. The research participants were Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal social workers.

“Always commence each session with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a yarn and listen, really listen to their story,” Ms Bacon said. “A quote from a non-Aboriginal social worker cited in the book and in our research is: ‘People like to know where you are from, why you are there, and that’s a start in developing that relationship.’”

Psychology and Social Work

Services for Rural and Remote Allied Health Providing support to our rural psychologists (SARRAH) to enable more psychologists to further their qualifications. Funded by the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA), the Clinical Psychology Scholarship is one of five scholarships awarded each year to hundreds of allied health professionals in rural and remote Australia. In December last year, SARRAH awarded scholarships to 100 clinical psychologists across Australia, which will provide them with financial support of up to $15,000 a year for two years. The aim is to increase the number of practising psychologists, particularly in rural and remote areas. “While city-based Australians can take their pick of health professionals, rural and remote Australians count themselves lucky if they can find one provider anywhere near home,” said Rod Wellington, CEO of SARRAH. Clinical Psychology Scholarship recipient, Kirsty Moore.

Rural and remote Australians often struggle alone to manage issues such as alcohol or gambling addiction, family breakdown and financial stress because they have no access to professional help. The shortage of psychologists outside the cities is being addressed by the Clinical Psychology Scholarships offered by Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health

“We play a significant role in helping to address this inequity by giving rural psychologists the support they need to remain practising in their communities.” Previous scholarship recipients have included Far North Queensland psychologist, Tim White, who completed a Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2010. Tim is employed by Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Services (ATODS) in Far North Queensland as a psychologist and team leader for the indigenous youth drug and alcohol team.

Up until 2009, Tim was also the sole psychologist for the Far North Region Police Service. In this role, he provided services during major incidents such as the Lockhart River plane crash, Palm Island and Aurakun riots and Cyclone Larry. Tim provides regular clinical services to the remote communities throughout the Cape York Region. He was awarded a scholarship in January 2005 to undertake a Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and completed his studies in December 2010. The program that Tim undertook enabled him to maintain a high level of professional competency that is contemporary with psychologists employed in metropolitan areas. Tim says his new qualification impacts directly on the level of service he can provide to his clients. Barossa-based scholarship recipient, Kirsty Moore (pictured opposite), reduced her large caseload managing local mental health programs in the Barossa region of South Australia to allow her to study towards a Master of Psychology degree last year. “(My family and I) are truly thankful for the support of the SARRAH scholarship that enabled this dream and passion to become a reality.” “Rural communities are fantastic. People know and care for each other, they experience highs and lows together, and they come together to celebrate or mourn shared experiences. This offers protection and safety to many. But it also creates challenges for service provision, particularly with regard to confidentiality.” Kirsty said key aspects of providing clinical services to rural communities included the increased stigma of seeking help in small communities and the diverse range of issues she sees.

“Often rural psychologists are lone clinicians, with very little clinical support,” she said. “Both in the Barossa and in Mannum, in the Riverland, where I completed my final placement, we are unofficially the drug and alcohol service, the suicide intervention and response service, the postnatal depression clinic, relationship and family counsellors, and the gambling and addiction help service amongst other things. “ “Resources are scarce. It doesn’t take a great stretch to imagine rural practitioners could be at high risk of burnout. Limited to no other agencies nearby, equates to great difficulty in finding peers to debrief with, let alone sourcing appropriate professional supervision.” Returning to study and undertaking a Masters in Clinical Psychology presented Kirsty with many challenges such as the additional time required to travel to lectures (90 mins each way), and to placements (up to 2 hours each way). There was also the added cost involved with travel, course fees and text books. It has been a challenge for Kirsty’s family as well. To achieve the requirements of this course, Kirsty’s family has had to be very understanding. For 9am lectures, she left home at 7am and during compulsory city-based placement which finished at 5.30pm, she was only home at 7.30pm. Kirsty is very thankful to have the support of SARRAH to allow her complete this further study and return to her rural community in the role of psychologist. Applications for Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme (NAHSSS) postgraduate scholarships open in August for study in 2014.

“When people come to my office they report feeling everyone is looking at them going to see the psychologist,” she said.

All allied health professionals can also apply for support to undertake Continuing Professional Development activities in the second half of 2013. Applications open in April.

Kirsty said it can be just as isolating for psychologists working through heavy caseloads with little professional support.

For further information about SARRAH, the support they can offer and their scholarship program, please visit www.sarrah.org.au

Psychology and Social Work Kate Incerti, member of AASW.

Social workers at the World Social Work Conference at Liverpool Hospital in Queensland on World Social Work Day (WSWD) 2012.

AASW members, whether theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re students, new graduates, practicing or retired social workers, are making valuable contributions in their communities in many ways.

Australian Association of Social Workers Social workers working in and for communities around Australia For six years, Patricia Clancy and her partner Ned Tkalcevic have owned and operated a counselling service in rural Gippsland, 220km east of Melbourne. Ms Clancy and Mr Tkalcevic have a combined thirty years experience as social workers, are both Accredited Mental Health Social Workers and long-standing members of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), the professional association for social workers. As well as private practice, both social workers have professional experience in the public psychiatry system, as well as providing consultative services to community organisations, such as policy, schools and local councils.

In the small town of Maffra, their clinic is a significant mental health service provider for the population of 4,500. The pair supports their clients in their interactions with government and non-government departments in regards to their rights and responsibilities, and have developed strong relationships with schools and often advocate on their clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; behalf. Outside of the clinic, Mr Tkalcevic and Ms Clancy, like many social workers, spend time writing letters to newspapers and government, contributing articles, and providing advice to various publications and broadcast programs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have developed a rapport with our local MP and

encourage our clients to make contact regarding issues impacting on their access to mental health care,” Ms Clancy said. Mr Tkalcevic says that social workers play an important role as advocates for their clients, which often include pensioners, people who are marginalised, young people, single parents and those with disabilities. “It’s important for social workers to fight for the rights of all of our clients and stand for access to services, opportunities and choice for all people, regardless of their status in any context,” Mr Tkalcevic said. Mr Tkalcevic describes this advocacy role as upholding traditional social work values. There are approximately, 20,000 social workers across Australia, with various specialties and working in a variety of contexts, from government institutions, non-for-profit organisations and private practice. Social workers strive for social justice for all peoples living in Australian communities, and the AASW supports social workers to achieve this mission. “Social work is a vibrant, ethically based profession established on standards of practice that reflect a strong knowledge, skill, values and research base,” AASW CEO Glenys Wilkinson said. Social work is not currently nationally registered. The profession is regulated by the AASW, which sets standards for social work practice, ethics and education. “The AASW Code of Ethics (2010) informs and guides ethical practice for social workers and expresses the values and responsibilities which are integral to and characterise the social work profession,” Ms Wilkinson said. The Association is also responsible for the accreditation of university programs in social work and for the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS) which sets out the principles, standards and graduate attributes for social work education in Australia. Eligibility for membership of the AASW is the benchmark for qualified practice in Australia and most jobs require eligibility for membership of the AASW. All social workers who meet the eligibility criteria can become an AASW member at anystage of their social work career,

including students, new graduates, practising and retired social workers. Discounted membership rates are offered to students, new graduates, low income workers and retired social workers. AASW members are encouraged to undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to improve and broaden their skills, knowledge and expertise, and develop the qualities required for professional practice. In 2013, AASW branches will deliver and promote an interesting and varied CPD program, with workshops and seminars around Australia and online. Topics will include couples counseling, diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders, assessment on the run, rural and remote social work, and supervision. Most events have special prices for members. Branches also organise networking opportunities and social gatherings for members and guests to engage with colleagues and keep abreast of current social work issues. Ms Clancy and Mr Tkalcevic are just one example of many of AASW’s 7,000 members who are taking leadership roles in their communities and actively participating in advocacy and discussion around social justice. With a community of committees and practice groups further supporting the work of the Association, AASW membership offers social workers the opportunity to work collectively to contribute to Australian society, its communities and institutions, in a way that is dedicated to improving social well-being. Volunteering on an AASW National Committee allows members to contribute to inquiries and public debates of concern to social workers and the people our profession serves. There are also many opportunities to represent the Association and profession in important forums. AASW National Committees work in the areas of international social work, child protection, mental health and social policy, amongst others. Members can also explore their interests by joining a local Practice Group. There are a number of Practice Groups around the country which are active in their field of interest, including rural social work, assisting refugee and asylum seekers, and professional practice and ethics. For more information on the AASW and membership, visit www.aasw.asn.au or phone 1800 630 124. 17

Indigenous Health

The University of Notre Dame Australia Aboriginal healthcare a passion for Nursing graduate professionals to consider working in rural and remote Western Australia. After graduating from The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Broome Campus in 2004, Ms Hunter completed her graduate program at Broome Hospital where she is currently employed as a Registered Nurse. She divides her time between the emergency department and triage which puts her in close contact with nearly all of Broome’s inbound and outbound patients. Over the past eight years at Broome Hospital, Ms Hunter has applied her clinical knowledge to many areas including the general ward, theatre, day surgery, paediatric ward, outpatients, infection control and the medical imaging department. Despite the challenges of working in a regional location, Ms Hunter says she thoroughly enjoys her role and takes pride in delivering quality healthcare. Notre Dame graduate and Aboriginal Registered Nurse, Emily Hunter, thoroughly enjoys her role delivering quality healthcare at Broome Hospital.

“I think the best part about working in country health is the initial help you give someone as well as the hands-on nature of the job,” Ms Hunter said.

The significant contribution made to Aboriginal healthcare in the Kimberley has made Notre Dame Nursing graduate, Emily Hunter, a well respected community member in the eyes of her patients.

“Being an Aboriginal woman and having lived in the Kimberley my whole life, I’m known to many of our patients who can relate to me and place their trust in me to look after them.

Ms Hunter said she was “very proud” of being recognised as an Aboriginal Registered Nurse in her local community and would like to encourage more nurses and healthcare

“Having witnessed the lack of quality healthcare present in many Aboriginal communities throughout my childhood, I felt compelled to enter into a career where I could assist in providing these essential services to Aboriginal people.”

Ms Hunter, a mother of three, first enrolled in a Bachelor of Education at Notre Dame’s Broome Campus to seek a career in primary school teaching after working as a bookkeeper for several years. However, she said something inside her told her to follow in her father’s footsteps and enter the field of Aboriginal healthcare. Ms Hunter’s father, Dr Arnold ‘Puggy’ Hunter, was the Chair of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and was an adviser to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family and Community Affairs and its inquiry into Indigenous health. For his significant contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health he received an honorary doctorate from James Cook University and has an Australian Government funded scholarship, the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship, named in his honour which assists Indigenous undergraduate students studying healthrelated disciplines. Ms Hunter said the support she received from her family gave her the values of compassion, respect and tolerance. She also acquired extensive local knowledge and vital communication skills from her family, which are important in her role.

Welcome to The Health Scoop magazine and online website specifically targeted towards Nurses, Allied Health and other Healthcare Professionals. The Health Scoop is distributed free of charge to various distribution points across Australia and New Zealand every fortnight.

“My parents always expressed to us the value of education and they were extremely supportive of me and my career goals,” Ms Hunter said.

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“As with anything in life, to achieve success you need to put in the hard work. With Notre Dame offering the Bachelor of Nursing program on its Broome Campus, there’s more opportunity for students in the Kimberley to study this course and work in an extremely rewarding area.

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“The support I had from the Broome community and people from the Kimberley region was priceless and really enhanced my learning experience at Notre Dame.” Thinking of studying Nursing at Notre Dame’s Broome Campus? For course information and contact details, please visit http://www.nd.edu.au/ broome/courses or call the Prospective Students Office on (08) 9433 0555.

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Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council (KAMSC) is a well-established regional Aboriginal community controlled health service, founded in 1986, which provides centralised advocacy and resource support for 6 independent member services, as well as providing direct clinical services in a further 6 remote Aboriginal communities across the region. KAMSC has successfully delivered high-quality, accessible comprehensive primary health care services over its 22 years of operation and has provided innovation and national leadership in areas such as health information management and evidence based best practice in primary health care.

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For further information and to apply for these opportunities, please visit www.kamsc.org.au 21

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Up-coming Courses and Conferences New South Wales

Queensland

Aged Care: Reform or Revolution Tri-State Conference & Exhibition

14th International Mental Health Conference Opening Doors

Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury, NSW 24 - 26 February 2013 www.vic.lasa.asn.au/event/tristate2013 Over three days in early 2013 the conference, under the theme Aged Care: Reform or Revolution? will explore areas of critical importance to the industry such as the effects of the Federal Government’s 2012 Living Longer. Living Better aged care reform package. We have prepared an outstanding program which looks at predicted significant changes to the operation of the industry and anticipate high delegate attendance, considering last year’s Tri-State Conference was an absolute sell out. Join us in continuing to connect with members of the aged and community care industry, as we come together to explore our future opportunities within the industry.

2nd Annual Aged Care Summit Luna Park, Sydney 18 - 19 March 2013 www.acevents.com.au/agedcare The second annual ‘Aged Care Summit’ has clearly established itself as Australasia’s leading event for the aged care industry bringing together aged care investors, developers, operators, and providers. The upcoming 2013 forum features an outstanding speaker faculty including senior living industry leaders, aged care operators and CEO’s across Australia and New Zealand. This is an opportunity for you to gain invaluable insight into strategy and emerging trends in the aged care sector by hearing directly from the industry’s leading players. Learn about the impact of industry reform in aged care. Gain insights into the new opportunities for the integration of aged care services into retirement villages. This unique event brings together senior level industry leaders to strategize solutions and innovations in aged care. It’s a place where expertise is showcased, solutions are found and learning is done. 28

Outrigger Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast 5 - 6 August 2013 www.anzmh.asn.au/conference/eventinfo.html The conference will focus on a range of mental issues including Depression, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder and Dementia. The human, social and economic consequences of mental health disorders and illness are great, and there is a growing realisation of the serious limitations of focusing solely on treatment and rehabilitation. Featuring Australia and New Zealand’s finest clinical practitioners, academics, and mental health experts, the conference will motivate and inspire professionals by sharing information about; • On-going research and findings • New knowledge developments: implementation of programs and strategies. • Latest evidence and guidelines on early diagnosis and successful patient management. • New treatments. Research validation of early intervention strategies and • treatments. • Prevention Strategies: examine and review effectiveness • Translational Research - from lab bench to the clinic and individual patient. • Discussion on research and best practice

South Australia 12th National Rural Health Conference Adelaide Convention Centre, SA 7 - 10 April 2013 www.nrha.org.au/12nrhc Show your commitment to a bright future for rural and remote communities in Australia by attending the 12th National Rural Health Conference in Adelaide next year. With 45 concurrent sessions and more than a dozen keynotes on selected issues, the Conference will provide a timely analysis of where the health

and wellbeing of rural Australia stands. Every second year the National Rural Health Conference brings together consumers and a range of professionals to check progress and hear reports from across rural and remote areas. It is an opportunity for the voice of the rural and remote health sector to be heard in mainstream media outlets and the corridors of power at federal, state and territory level. The program is being regularly updated and will provide plenty of interest for consumers, nurses, health service managers and researchers, doctors and podiatrists, among others. It will also bring together people from other sectors whose work relates to the social and economic determinants of health.

Victoria

18 - 23 May 2013 www.icn2013.ch Registration Now Open! Early registration deadline is 14 February 2013 The ICN 25th Quadrennial Congress will bring together evidence, experience and innovations highlighting the critical importance of equity and access to health care for communities and individuals, demonstrating how nurses are key to ensuring equal access and quality of health care for all. The Congress will provide a global platform for the dissemination of nursing knowledge and leadership across specialities, cultures and countries via the ICN scientific programme, featuring keynote and main session invited speakers as well as a wide range of concurrent sessions including dynamic papers accepted through our highly competitive abstract selection process.

Technology Enhanced Learning in Health The Rydges, Melbourne 30 April - 1 May 2013 www.techlearninghealth.com The introduction of technology offers highly attractive and robust teaching and assessment opportunities in the digital era. AHPRA in late 2012 released updated accreditation standards which included ‘soft skills’ around leadership and communication in practice that technology is able to assist with. How can technology encourage learning to ensure authentic learning? How can digital learning mitigate risks associated with lack of core competencies? The Technology Enhanced Teaching in Health conference addresses the challenges and opportunities for how health education can benefit with the integration of technology. You will learn how to: Develop graduate confidence and competence in ‘soft • skills’ during their training • Promote interdisciplinary collaboration at strategic as well as practice level with technology • Develop e-learning and assessment frameworks that comply with accreditation and regulatory bodies.

ICN 25th Quadrennial Congress Equity and Access to Health Care Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne

ACCYPN Conference 2013 - 4th International Congress on Paediatric Nursing Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne 24 - 27 August 2013 www.accypnconf.com.au Children and young people’s nurses connect locally and globally to deliver care to children and young people. Join us in Melbourne in 2013 as we provide a forum for you to connect, share knowledge and network to advance nursing practice in this speciality field. The theme of the Australian College of Children and Young People’s Nurses (ACCYPN) Conference 2013 is ‘connecting in children and young people’s healthcare’. The conference program will: • explore innovative strategies to promote excellence in children and young people’s nursing across the continuum of care; • advance nursing practice in clinical care, education, management and research using innovation, new technologies and evaluation; and create an international forum for the exchange of • evidence-based practices and solutions among nurse researchers, clinicians, educators, policy makers and managers. Are you passionate about nursing children and young people? Then this is a conference not to be missed! We look forward to seeing you in Melbourne 2013!

What I like about OUM is that I can continue to work part time and continue my studies in medicine. The ability to combine my studies with the cases I was seeing in the hospital really enhanced my education. Vivian Ndukwe, RN from Melbourne, OUM Class of 2012

RN to MBBS

Take the next step, earn your MBBS at Oceania University of Medicine. OUM is proud to announce an even more attractive fee structure from 2013. Applications are now open for courses beginning in February and August. New facilities, greater capacity and over 150 students currently enrolled. Study from a Home Base under faculty from top international medical schools. Receive personalised attention from your own Academic Advisor. OUM Graduates are eligible to sit for the AMC exam or NZREX. OUM Graduates are employed in Australia, New Zealand, Samoa and USA.

OCEANIA UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE NOW INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED In AU 1300 665 343 or NZ 0800 99 01 01 www.RNtoMBBS.org

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The Health Scoop subscribers quote CC*HS when registering to SAVE $250!

Technology Enhanced

Learning in Health Redesigning teaching & assessment in the digital era

30th April & 1st May 2013, rydges Melbourne

Key speakers

Benefits of attending: Benchmark standards for technology in healthcare education

Associate Professor Jennifer Weller Head of Centre for Medical and Health Sciences Education

Christy Pirone Principal Consultant Safety & Quality

University of AUcklAnd, nZ

depArtMent of heAlth & Ageing, soUth AUstrAliA

Explore the benefits to supplementing clinical training hours with simulations Contribute toward a growing evidence base for the use of technology

Professor Tracy Levett-Jones Deputy Head of School Teaching and Learning

Dr Stuart Marshall Specialist Anaesthetist and Head of Simulation Research

the University of newcAstle

MonAsh siMUlAtion And MonAsh University

Pre, Mid & Post Conference Workshops Workshop A

Workshop B

Workshop C

How to effectively debrief

Building the evidence base

Implementing an online learning program

Researched by

Endorsed by