08 February 2023
Close the Gap Day is on Thursday, 16 March and community members are encouraged to take action.
You can take action by:
- hosting an activity in your workplace, home, community or school
- signing the Close the Gap pledge
- listening to and sharing the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on social media
- letting your local MP know you want to close the gap
National Close the Gap Day highlights the campaign aiming to close the health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation.
The gap refers to the vast health and life-expectation inequality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
This inequality includes:
- shorter life expectancy
- higher rates of infant mortality
- poorer health
- lower levels of education and employment
Find out how to get involved
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is a key priority for SWSPHN. We are working with our community to close the gap by supporting our community to live healthier and longer lives through prevention and better management of chronic diseases.
Find out more about our work
08 February 2023
New community resources are now available to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by cancer, their families, communities and health professionals.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are at higher risk of being diagnosed with and impacted by cancer. That’s why it’s important to know what to do about cancer, where to get help and support services.
Our Mob and Cancer is a Cancer Australia website providing critical information about the impact of cancer, ways to protect against cancer, types of cancer, diagnosis, treatment and living with cancer, how cancer spreads and where to get help and support.
19 January 2023
Changes to the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) Indigenous Health Incentive have come into effect this month.
The Indigenous Health Incentive supports general practices and Indigenous health services to provide better healthcare for their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
This includes best practice management of chronic diseases and mental disorders.
Changes from 1 January 2023 included:
- A funding structure change to improve continuity of care (see table)
- Eligibility expanded to include children under 15 years old
- GP Mental Health Treatment Plans added as eligible items for the purposes of outcomes payments
- Requirement to deliver a certain number of services in a calendar year replaced with a 12-month rolling window, starting from the date the first eligible service is delivered
Changes to the Practice Incentives Program – Indigenous Health Incentive
Practice Incentives Program Indigenous Health Incentive Guidelines
18 January 2023
SWSPHN has developed a fact sheet to provide general practices with an update on changes to cancer screening recommendations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Changes include:
National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR)
The NCSR has released a Healthcare Provider Portal which provides a self-service alternative for healthcare providers to access and submit screening data for the bowel and cervical screening programs.
Cervical cancer screening
Self-collection is now available to all people with a cervix.
Bowel cancer screening
Bowel cancer screening kits can now be ordered in bulk to your practice and distributed directly to patients during consultations.
Breast cancer screening
The BreastScreen NSW PUTUWA Project is supporting Aboriginal women to access mammograms from age 40 (previously it was age 50).
National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR)
The NCSR has released a Healthcare Provider Portal which provides a self-service alternative for healthcare providers to access and submit screening data for the bowel and cervical screening programs.
The portal can be integrated into clinical information systems enabling GPs and practice nurses to access and submit data electronically.
It eliminates the need for healthcare providers to contact the National Register via fax, paper and phone, and makes it easier for healthcare providers to submit information.
You can use the National Register in real-time to:
- order your patient a National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Test Kit (to their home)
- bulk order National Bowel Cancer Screening Program kits directly to your practice
- check patient screening histories
- receive reminders for patients overdue for screening or follow-up
- check and update patient details
- manage patient program participation
- submit information about your patient, such as colonoscopy or colposcopy information
- nominate other people to assist your patient, including another doctor or a personal representative
Register now
14 December 2022
The Go4Fun healthy lifestyle program for families and children aged seven to 13 is returning at seven locations across South Western Sydney in Term 1, from Monday, 30 January 2023.
You can register by phoning 1800 780 900 or visiting go4fun.com.au.
Enrolments are being accepted up until Friday, 10 February 2023.
- A new program location will also launch in Term 1, at Appin Community Hall on Thursdays from 4pm to 6pm. Download the flyer
What is Go4Fun?
Go4Fun is a free program for children aged seven to 13 who are above a healthy weight, and their families. Trained health and community professionals like dietitians and exercise physiologists run the program which is a fun way to build self-esteem and learn about eating well, staying active and living a healthy life.
Go4Fun takes place during school terms, usually after school. Sessions run once a week for two hours, during a 10-week period. A parent or carer must come to every session.
Find out more about what's involved
Aboriginal Go4Fun
Aboriginal Go4Fun was developed in partnership with Aboriginal communities and is delivered by local Aboriginal organisations together with NSW Health. The program encourages the whole community to join in.
Aboriginal Go4Fun includes:
- Aboriginal support staff
- Traditional Indigenous games
- Tailored resources
Find out more about Aboriginal Go4Fun
Go4Fun online
Go4Fun Online is perfect for families that can’t make it to our face-to-face program, but still want to make health changes to their lifestyle.
Go4Fun Online runs over 10 weeks and includes:
- Weekly online activity sessions
- Weekly phone coaching with a health professional
- Resources and prizes
- Our online community where you can chat to other families in the program
- Email and text message support
Find out more about Go4Fun online
04 November 2022
South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) notes funding of GP-led urgent care clinics and a new GP grants program as first steps by the new Federal Government in addressing the concerns of our under-pressure primary care system.
Tuesday night’s Budget also confirmed the government’s commitment to establish a new headspace centre in South Western Sydney.
Funding allocations included:
- $1 million in 2022-23, and $1.4 million per annum from 2023-24, to establish and operate a new headspace centre at Edmondson Park
- $229.7 million to the Strengthening Medicare GP grants program, one-off grants of up to $50,000 for innovation, training, equipment and minor capital works to improve patient access to care
SWSPHN Chief Executive Officer, Dr Keith McDonald, says substantial investment in the primary care sector is critical now to bolster what is the cornerstone of our health system.
“It’s been a challenging two-and-a half years for us all, but our healthcare providers, including GPs and general practice staff across South Western Sydney, have done it particularly tough during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
“The strain on our healthcare system is becoming increasingly evident with a shortfall in GPs being reported and waiting times for GP appointments growing.”
Dr McDonald said any investment in primary care was welcome, but more support was needed.
“We are eagerly awaiting the recommendations of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce later this year and look forward to seeing the government build on this investment in next year’s Federal Budget.”
Other budget commitments of note include:
Aged care
- $312.6 million to modernise aged care information and communications technology
- $23.1 million for research and consultation for reforms to in-home aged care
Aboriginal health
- $164.3 million towards First Nations infrastructure projects
- $54.3 million for training up to 500 First Nations health workers Mental health
- $114 million to support mental health and suicide prevention initiatives
- This includes $23.5 million for an expansion of the headspace network
This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 2 November 2022. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.
21 October 2022
Tharawal Aboriginal Medical Service is encouraging patients to focus on their everyday healthcare needs after two-and-a-half years of focusing on COVID-19, by holding a special pneumococcal vaccination catch-up day.
Forty-eight patients who are over 50 received their vaccinations and were invited to enjoy a barbecue lunch at the Airds clinic last Wednesday, 19 October.
The vaccination day was the first of a number of catch-ups Tharawal AMS plans to hold.
Specific groups should get the pneumococcal vaccine including:
- routine vaccination in infants and children
- non-Indigenous adults aged 70 years and over
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 50 years and over
- children, adolescents and adults with risk conditions for pneumococcal disease
Pneumococcal disease is caused by infection which can lead to a variety of diseases including: pneumonia (infection of the lungs), otitis media (infection of the middle ear) and meningitis (infection of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord).
Infection is treated with antibiotics.
Immunisation can prevent infection. You can find information about pneumococcal vaccines on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
If you have questions, please talk to your GP.
21 September 2022
Two trainees at Tharawal Aboriginal Medical Service have graduated from SWSPHN’s Workforce Capacity Building program having gained “experience and knowledge” which will help them throughout their working careers.
SWSPHN partnered with Tharawal AMS on the program which is available for existing primary health staff and trainees, following the success of the program at Gandangara Health Service.
The programs saw trainees at each site undertake courses including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice, and dual Mental Health and Alcohol and other Drugs Certificate IV.
Initiatives like the Capacity Building Project are part of SWSPHN’s work in closing the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australian’s life expectancy by improving access to culturally sensitive primary care services for Indigenous people.
The 12-month project aimed to build the skills and knowledge of participants.
The Tharawal participants gained practical experience during their traineeship, undertaking self-guided orientation programs to learn about the different services offered by each Tharawal department, and working within these departments to gain hands-on experience.
The trainees provided culturally-safe, evidence-based interventions to Aboriginal clients and their families who were accessing mental health services at Tharawal.
Tharawal’s final report on the program said the experience and knowledge the trainees had gained would help them throughout their working careers.
“It has definitely been great to see how far they have come and how confident they now are with the added knowledge they have gained through these courses,” the report said.
Pictured above: Rebekah Markna, Social and Emotional Wellbeing Team Manager, Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, with the program trainees.
09 September 2022
Register your child or register your patient for Go4Fun’s Term 4 program.
What is Go4Fun?
Go4Fun is a free program for children aged seven to 13 who are above a healthy weight, and their families. Trained health and community professionals like dietitians and exercise physiologists run the program which is a fun way to build self-esteem and learn about eating well, staying active and living a healthy life.
Go4Fun takes place during school terms, usually after school. Sessions run once a week for two hours, during a 10-week period. A parent or carer must come to every session.
Find out more about what’s involved
Aboriginal Go4Fun
Aboriginal Go4Fun was developed in partnership with Aboriginal communities and is delivered by local Aboriginal organisations together with NSW Health. The program encourages the whole community to join in.
Aboriginal Go4Fun includes:
- Aboriginal support staff
- Traditional Indigenous games
- Tailored resources
Find out more about Aboriginal Go4Fun
Go4Fun online
Go4Fun Online is perfect for families that can’t make it to our face-to-face program, but still want to make health changes to their lifestyle.
Go4Fun Online runs over 10 weeks and includes:
- Weekly online activity sessions
- Weekly phone coaching with a health professional
- Resources and prizes
- Our online community where you can chat to other families in the program
- Email and text message support
Find out more about Go4Fun online
Find a session
General – Term 4 program starts 10 October in locations including Camden, Campbelltown, Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool
Aboriginal Go4Fun – Campbelltown, Liverpool, Revesby
24 June 2022
Cancer Council is seeking expressions of interest from community service organisations and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to join its Tackling Tobacco program to help continue to decrease smoking rates in the local communities which require the most support.
Tackling Tobacco is a step-by-step program which aims to reduce smoking-related harm among priority populations which experience high levels of social and economic disadvantage.
Through Tackling Tobacco, Cancer Council helps organisations address smoking, and support people who access their services and their staff to quit.
The program is free to join and works by delivering training for staff and volunteers, providing a dedicated Cancer Council representative for 12 months, offering financial grants based on need, sharing resources and facilitating monthly steering group meetings.
To express your interest in joining the program, email tacklingtobacco@nswcc.org.au, call 9334 1911 by Thursday, June 30. Alternatively, organisations can complete the Expression of Interest form.
Find out more
