Newsletter September 2023

Newsletter September 2023

Daylight saving starts on Sunday, the 1st of  October at 2am. Reminder to adjust your meeting invites. 

In this edition

CATSINaM Secretariat Updates for Members

Congratulations! Dr Ali Drummond (CEO-CATSINaM)

Focus on more accountability to improve Indigenous health outcomes. 

Advocating for better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is the aim of Dr Ali Drummond (CEO CATSINaM), who graduated with PhD on 30th August 2023 from School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology. 

Top picture: from left, Carumba Institute Executive Director Professor Chelsea Watego, Dr Ali Drummond and QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil. (Photo source: Professor Chelsea Watego)

Congratulations Melina Connors (a CATSINaM Member)- Australian College of Midwives “Midwife of the Year”. 

Congratulations to Melina Connors on being awarded the Australian College of Midwives ‘Midwife of the Year’. Melina is a proud Gurindji woman from the Northern Territory who works as a clinical midwifery consultant in the Queensland Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer. 

Melina and her team up in Queensland have delivered the Growing Deadly Families Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Maternity Services Strategy, which sets out a vision for all First Nations babies in Queensland to be born healthy and into strong, resilient families. This aligns with the national, overarching Woman-centred Care: Strategic Directions for Australian Maternity Services. Congratulations Melina! 

Pictured: Kellie Wilton, Melina Connors and Alison McMillan. [Source: Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, September newsletter.]

CATSINaM Events and Activities

CATSINaM Regional Congress 2023 – Update

The Regional Congress showcases a mix of panel discussions, professional development training and workshops from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives.

CATSINaM is also showcasing the virtual reality exhibition of In Our Own Right.

CATSINaM wishes to thank the current sponsors:

Register now. Applications close on the 30th September 2023.

We are also accepting sponsorships.

We look forward to seeing you Peppers Salt Resort & Spa in Bundjalung Country, Kingscliff, NSW, from Tuesday, 28th to Thursday, 30th November 2023. For more information, contact enquire@catsinam.org.au

Modernising the Constitution – Update

Are you seeking information on the Modernisation of the CATSINaM Constitution? 

Join our information session on Monday the 30th of October from 5 pm (AEDT). 

Our presenters, President Marni Tuala, CEO Dr Ali Drummond, and Company Secretary Justin Hogg will provide you with information about the modernisation of the CATSINaM Constitution and the upcoming CATSINaM AGM. They will also answer any questions you may have about these topics. 

This webinar is for CATSINaM voting members only. Webinar details will be sent to those who register. If you would like to register for this event, please contact: enquire@catsinam.org.au 

Here are few links to more information about the:

We look forward to hearing from you. 

Voting on CATSINaM Constitution modernisation amendments will happen during the 2023 AGM later this year – by attending or via Proxy

Murra Mullangari: Introduction to Cultural Safety and Cultural Humility – Enrolments open for October intake.

The next offering will commence on 2nd October with early bird registration started on 28th August until 24th September 2023. Late enrolment will remain open until end of 2nd November.

Please note that any bulk purchases can happen anytime.

Cultural Safety is pivotal to improving nursing and midwifery care in general and to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The aims of the program are shown below.

Join the CATSINaM Workforce Strategy Working Group.

You will play an important role in pursuing CATSINaM’s purpose to lead the nursing and midwifery workforce to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by collectively working to influence the development of the National Nursing Workforce Strategy (NNWS).

The CATSINaM Workforce Strategy Working Group (Workforce Strategy Group) will provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander thought leadership and inputs to shape CATSINaM’s participation and influence in developing the NNWS. The Workforce Strategy Group will:

  1. Deliberate, determine and advise on key current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nursing and midwifery workforce issues and priorities.
  2. Identify strategies, actionable solutions, and evidence base for shaping CATSINaM’s positions and responses to the NNWS consultation.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ENs and Midwives are particularly encouraged to submit an expression of interest. Please read more information on joining the Workforce Strategy Group.

From CATSINaM Members and Partners

Voice to Parliament
A smoother path for your super from HESTA

Taking control of your super helps you get the most from your retirement savings, whether you’re still building your super or in the income stream phase. To help you get the best out of your super, you can make use of a wide range of tools and services, including:

This article looks at some of the obstacles to building your retirement savings, and how to navigate them to make a smoother path for your super.

Have Your Say - Public consultation and input opportunities

Public Consultation: Scope of Practice Review 

The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care are undertaking a health practitioners Scope of Practice Review called Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce. The Review will examine available evidence of the benefits of health practitioners working to full scope of practice with the aim of identifying barriers and opportunities for innovation.  

CATSINaM members are encouraged to have your say via an online survey! 

Palliative Care Australia

Paediatric Palliative Care Project – Expression of Interest Survey.

PCA and PaPCANZ are undertaking a new paediatric palliative care project – Shaping the Future of Paediatric Palliative Care and your insights are essential to its success.

See detailed information at this link.  To learn more contact: paediatrics@palliativecare.org.au.

National Nursing Workforce Strategy – Have your say!

Access detailed information on the first call to engage in face-to-face workshops on the development of the National Nursing Workforce Strategy. All consultation events will be available at National Nursing Workforce Strategy Consultations.

Nurses, midwives and living loss: Navigating the grief of loss and change

All of us will experience grief and loss at some point in our life. Grief is a highly individual experience, and it comes with no rule book.  The Nurse & Midwife support in health and wellbeing provides some advice on support during these times.

Check this resource out and let us know how useful it was for you by emailing enquire@catsinam.org.au (subject: N&M support).

Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

  • Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer:
    • In this month’s newsletter, I share recent updates to national reviews, scholarships and training program announcements within the nursing and midwifery space. I also share a link to a survey that is currently open that seeks feedback from those who work within primary care. I encourage you to have your say, to help us improve service delivery across primary care settings nationally.
  • Health updates for Aboriginal and Torres Islander Communities.

Employment Opportunities

Looking for work? Need a new employee? – Check out IndigenousX 

CATSINaM is referring all employment opportunities for nurses and midwives to IndigenousX.

IndigenousX is 100% Indigenous owned and operated and has grown to become one of Australia’s most trusted and respected Indigenous media platforms. Their new and improved jobs board is a great way to find and promote job opportunities.

Advertise a job or search for work opportunities by going to https://indigenousx.com.au/job-board/

Scholarships & Education

CATSINaM Student Members, are you looking for Clinical Placement Support? 

Northern Territory Primary Health Networks (NT PHN) are offering remote NT clinical placement grants through CRANAplus.  Allied health, nursing and midwifery, and medical students living in the Northern Territory or Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health students across Australia are eligible to apply. 

Round 2, 2023 – Open 1July – 31 December 2023. More info and how to apply can be found here: https://crana.org.au/professional-support/awards-scholarships-grants 

CLOSING SOON Peggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme (PHMSS) – Open 30 Aug — close 10 Oct 

Australian College of Nursing has opened up additional round of PHMSS First Nations health scholarships. 

If you have any questions or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact our scholarships team by email scholarships@acn.edu.au or call 1800 688 628. 

Future changes to the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme (PHMSS) | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. See the ACN website for more information about the PHMSS. 

Women in Health Eligible for Leadership Development Scholarships

Women & Leadership Australia has announced new scholarships to enable more women to access world-class leadership and workplace skill development programs.

By combining cutting-edge leadership theory with practical application, and a flexible part-time delivery, Women & Leadership Australia offers an unparalleled learning experience designed to fit into your busy schedule.

With partial scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, there are four programs to suit women in non-leadership roles all the way up to senior executives.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity! Learn more and apply now by visiting: www.wla.edu.au/industry/health

Applications close Friday 24 November 2023. Limited places available.

Aboriginal Undergraduate Scholarships
  • Scholarships of $1,000 per subject are available for Aboriginal students undertaking a Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Midwifery. 
  • Aboriginal Enrolled Nurse to Registered Nurse Scholarships Scholarships of up to $15,000 are available for Aboriginal students with a Diploma of Nursing qualification undertaking a Bachelor of Nursing.
  • Aboriginal Postgraduate Scholarships If you’re an Aboriginal person currently working as a registered nurse or registered midwife in the NSW public health system, a postgraduate scholarship of up to $10,000 is available to support your postgraduate study and help with educational expenses.

The formal scholarship applications portal on their website opens 11th December 2023 and closes 4th February 2024, however they are more than happy to accept manual applications all year round. Enquiries on how to submit a manual application can be made to MOH-AboriginalNursing@health.nsw.gov.au

Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) – Transition to Practice Program (TPP)

The Transition to Practice Program (TPP) provides an evidence-based education framework over 10 months to nurses who have transitioned to primary health care (PHC) and feel they would benefit from additional support. Fully funded places are available to transitioning nurses. 

Who can participate in APNA’s TPP?

  1. Nurses new to primary health care (Transitioning Nurse, TN): newly graduated or experienced nurses currently working in a primary health care setting1 who would like additional support during their transition.
  2. Nurses experienced in primary health care (Mentors): nurses with four or more years of experience in primary health care and interested in mentoring and supporting nurses new to primary health care.

For more information about the TPP, here’s a link to a short video.

APNA is also seeking applications from nurses new to primary health care and experienced nurses who are interested in supporting them through mentoring. All mentors are reimbursed for their participation in the program. Applications for the other programs  on offer will be opening later this year and/or next year.  Contact: Rebekah Cox, rebekah.cox@apna.asn.au

COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN – Practice Nurse Development Day 

Coordinare offers continuous professional development and learning opportunities across South Eastern NSW, through a variety of education and network events   

The 4 general practice nurse workshops are: 

Main events page Health professional events (coordinare.org.au) 

Equip Aged Care Learning Packages

The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care contracted the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, to develop the Equip Aged Care Learning Packages. These packages consist of 14 modules designed for carers, personal care workers, nurses, allied health professionals and volunteers working in the aged care sector.  

 All 14 modules are free of charge and available now.  Each module takes around 10 minutes to complete and can be accessed from a phone, tablet, or computer. A free, downloadable certificate of completion is available for each module, with an additional certificate available on completion of all modules.  More information is available on the Equip Aged Care Learning Packages website. 

Events - Conferences

  • November: Homebirth Australia Conference  17-19 November 2023.  Homebirth Australia Conference offers $150 discount tickets to CATSINaM Members.
    • To claim the discount, please forward this CATSINaM newsletter to conference@homebirthaustralia.org and mention that you would like to take advantage of the discount. A member of our committee with respond with a discount code you can use at the checkout. 

We look forward to your feedback and queries. Please email us at: enquire@catsinam.org.au or follow our social media platforms.

Thank you 
CATSINaM Secretariat