Visit Carers NSW website for the
latest news and comment.
Also see the NSW Carers Action Plan 2007-2012 which commits NSW Government agencies to recognise, respect and value the role that carers play in the community.
New
South Wales
Carers Recognition Bill in NSW
Following consultation with Carers NSW, the NSW MP for Bega, the Hon. Andrew Constance introduced
the Carers Recognition Bill in the NSW Parliament in December as a private member’s bill. Read more from Laraine Toms, President of Carers NSW. Carers NSW seeks your support for the Carers Recognition Bill. The best way to ensure the Bill is passed in Parliament is to gain support by all parties. Carers NSW is talking to MPs from all parties to seek their support. Please help by contacting your local NSW MP (contact details here) and expressing your support for the Bill to be
debated soon in Parliament. Alternatively, visit the website Caring4carers and sign the online petition. Read the media release and an article about the Bill in the Sydney Morning Herald.
National
The 2010 intergenerational report
Released in February, the report sketches the challenges ahead for Australians in the next 40 years. Implications for the Australian Government's budget are anaylsed in the context of pressures on the health system, an ageing population and environmental degradation. It contains some surprises. For instance, half the Australian Government spending in 2050 will go on health, age-related pensions and aged care. Read the Australian Treasury document - Australia to 2050: Future challenges. Under the Charter of Budget Honesty Act 1998 an intergenerational report is required every five years. Read the Australian Treasurer's reflections on the document. Carers Australia believes that the report reveals more than ever the need to support unpaid family carers. Read the comments. Read more about the intergenerational report in the Aged care and Employment sections of this e-bulletin.
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Carers Australia Federal Budget 2010-11 submission
Carers Australia has set out a structured plan to achieve six objectives in its most recent submission in the upcoming Australian Government budget due in May. Carers recognition legislation is a top priority in the submission and mirrors events in NSW with the Carers Recognition Bill. Read the budget submission entilted Don't wait: Our future in now.
Youth health forum on youth homelessness
Chaired by Michael Coffey, this forum will explore approaches for working effectively with homeless young people.
When: Wednesday 3 March 2010
Where: Lorimer Dods Lecture Theatre, Children's Hospital Westmead
Details: website
Adults with ADHD
This one day conference, presented by ADDults with ADHD (NSW), will update professional knowledge about ADHD following the release of the new guidelines for ADHD by the Australian Government in December 2009.
When: Friday 12 March 2010
Where: Macquarie University Conference Centre, North Ryde
Details: flyer
Understanding and supporting young carers
Carers NSW is offering free training in March to service providers to raise awareness of the role of young carers.
When: Wednesday 17 March 2010
Where: Carers NSW Sydney office, Haymarket
Details: flyer
Life matters - seminar for seniors and carers
This free seminar on the Northern Beaches is meant to prepare participants to face issues that arise as we age, including the end of life.
When: Thursday 25 March 2010
Where: The Reef Room, Dee Why RSL Club
Details: flyer
People with disabilities dealing with legal services
If you have a disability and have been in contact with any of the services listed below in the last twelve months, you are invited to share your experiences as part of a study. The confidential feedback will help to improve these legal services for people with disabilities.
- Anti Discrimination Board
- Administrative Decisions Tribunal
- Law Access
- Local Court
- Office of the Protective Commissioner
- Public Trustee
- Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages
- Victims Services
When: The study is taking place during February and March. It will take about an hour of your time.
Where: A location close to your home will be organised for the interview.
Participants are welcome to bring an advocate to the interview. Participants will receive a $75 Myer voucher as a thank you for participating in the study. For more information or to register your interest, call Richard at Taverner Research on 1800 212 290 or email.
Carers NSW workshop - writing for self awareness
Carers NSW is conducting a free workshop for carers to improve self awareness through writing.
When: For 6 weeks from Thursday 8 April 2010
Where: Carers NSW Sydney office, Haymarket
Details: flyer
Sustaining families in challenging times
The Australian Institute of Family Studies is holding its 11th conference which will focus on the themes of wellbeing of families, families and work and social inclusion.
When: Wednesday 7 - Friday 9 July 2010
Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Details: website
MyLanguage 2010 national conference
The State Library of NSW is hosting a conference for anyone interested in the issue of inclusiveness for culturally diverse communities. The objective is to explore the potential of new technologies to combat isolation and share information among different communities.
When: Monday 9 - Wednesday 11 August 2010
Where: State Library of NSW
Details: flyer and visit the website
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Contribution of the not-for-profit sector. Research report
In this report, released in February, the Australian Productivity Commission attempts to measure the contribution to Australian society of the not-for-profit sector as well as examining ways to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. The Commission was also charged with the task of considering tax concessions available to the sector in light of the Henry tax review (Review of Australia’s Future Tax System), soon to be released. While the report's intention is to remove unnecessary burdens and costs faced by these organisations, it has sparked comment from aged care service providers who believe that a change in the tax status of the not-for-profit sector could be disastrous for their workforce and ultimately for aged care. Most aged and community care workers are employed by not-for-profit organisations. The report has potential implications for the future workforce. Read the report and the response in the Aged care section of this e-bulletin.
Free listening material for carers
A collection of music and stories on audiocassette have been donated to Carers NSW and is offered free to carers. Up to three items can be claimed and will be posted out to carers. Email us. Please provide alternative selections in case your choices are no longer available. If carers would prefer to write to claim audiocassettes, address the request to Tom Fink Library, Carers NSW, PO Box 20156, World Square NSW 2002. See what is available by clicking on these lists - either music or story.
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A
Future pressure on aged care
The third intergenerational report released in February, Australia to 2050: Future challenges, illustrates the connection between the ageing of the population and poorer prospects for economic growth. According to the Australian Government Treasury, Australia's future can only be secured with improved productivity in the workforce.
Regardless of the financial pressures on Australia's budget, the aged must be cared for. To support this spending a number of suggestions, as outlined below, have been made to improve the fiscal position of the country. The Rudd Government has attempted to do this by improving the sustainability of the age pension and family payment systems, as well as means testing the private health insurance rebate. Read the media release. Productive ageing will also be encouraged.
Aged and Community Services Australia believes that the issue of an ageing population is old news and that the intergenerational report gives weight to their demand for long-overdue aged care reform. Read the media release. They are also alarmed at the spectre of tax changes in the Henry tax review, soon to be released, recommending that the charitable status of many aged care providers comes to an end. Read more. Aged Care Association Australia points to funding shortfalls that already exit in the sector. Read the media release. The Australian Council of Social Service has suggested that a medicare-style health and disability services levy may need to be introduced and raised gradually as the population ages. Read more. National Seniors Australia believes that an ageing population is an opportunity, not a burden.
For further discussion on budget issues as they relate to aged care, visit National Interest, an ABC Radio National program, for a forum on the subject aired in January entitled Aged Care: the budget debate we are yet to have. Download the audio file or read the transcript.
Aged care - traditionally delivered
Stephen Leeder, Director of the Menzies Centre for Health Policy at the University of Sydney, believes there is no need to panic about aged cared into the future. Traditional aged care practices have served us well, particularly aged care delivered in the community with the support of general practitioners and allied health teams. He makes some observations about the use of technology in the practice of gerontology and suggests how Australia could approach the care of the aged while streamlining the aged care budget. Read the article.
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US Caregiver Initiative
The US Government of Barak Obama has recently allocated $102.5m to families caring for ageing relatives. The Caregiver Initiative supports caregiver programs for respite care, counselling, training and referrals to critical services in addition to transportation, homemaker assistance, adult day care, and personal care to help seniors remain in their homes and relieve burdens on caregivers.The funding is delivered through the US Department of Health and Human Services. Read their website.
Domestic violence
The Benevolent Society, with the Older Women's Network, works with women living in the Macarthur region of NSW who have been affected by domestic violence and offer support, counselling, referral, information and groups. They also offer community education and training. For more information visit the website.
Call for expressions of interest for the carer representation program
Carers NSW is calling for expressions of interest from carers who would like to participate in the Carer Representation Program. The Carer Representation Program provides carers from across NSW with opportunities to participate in activities such as guest speaking, media interviews, and representation on committees and roundtables. The aim is to inform a range of professionals and general members of the community of carers’ perspectives.
Carers NSW provides all the training and support necessary to be a carer representative. No prior experience is necessary – all carers need is an interest and commitment to getting the carers’ perspective heard. If that sounds like you, or someone you know, please contact Alison Parkinson on (02) 9280 4744 or email. Contact Alison to request a carer representative for your organisation as a guest speaker.
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Tax reform and the aged care sector
Catholic Health Australia (CHA) is concerned that recent discussion about the tax status of not-for-profit organisations, the largest providers of aged care services in Australia, will lead to a decline in services. Read the media release. CHA is particularly concerned about comments in the Productivity Commission report to the effect that "fringe benefit tax concessions for employees of not-for-profit organisations [are] ineffective." View the media release.
Both the Productivity Commission (PC) report and the Henry review of tax structures in Australia touch on the issue of tax status. CHA believes that if this view is adopted by the Australian Government, the non-for-profit aged care workforce would be disadvantaged at a time when such employees need to be attracted into the sector to care for burgeoning numbers of elderly people requiring care in the next few decades.
The Australian Greens Party lends support to this view. Read the comments. For more see the Aged care section of this e-bulletin.
MetLife study of working caregivers and employer health care costs
In a new US study, employees responsible for the care of an elderly relative report more health problems than non-caregiving employees and cost US employers an estimated $13 billion annually. Read the report.
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Voluntary income support payment changes
Centrelink
clients can opt to receive income support payments on a weekly, rather than a fortnightly, basis under new legislation introduced by the Australian Government in February. The move is intended to assist people, like the homeless, to budget more effectively and has received widespread support. Read the media release and messages of support for the new measures by the Australian Council of Social Service and the Welfare Rights Centre.
Voluntary income support differs from compulsory income management which was introduced in 2007 as part of the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NT Intervention) and involves the quarantining of a portion of a Centrelink client's income, including carer payments, so that essentials like food can be purchased. This measure has been less well received than voluntary income support payment changes. Read more about compulsory income management. See the December 2009 e-bulletin, under Welfare reform and the Racial Discrimination Act, for further information.
Medical energy rebate
People who have a thermoregulatory dysfunction, that is they cannot regulate core body temperature effectively due to a medical condition, may be entitled to a rebate on their energy bills. The rebate is meant to offset the cost of cooling in summer and heating in winter. Read the media release.
Superannuation in an ageing Australia
AMP and the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) has published a report that paints a grim picture of Australian's retirement savings. Read Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow.
Community development financial institution
Australians normally excluded from banking by virtue of circumstance may be eligible for financial services under an Australian pilot program. Similar schemes have been working in the US. Under the Australian program, $7.5m will be made available for the scheme. Read more.
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Carers
and legal issues
Legal Information Access Centre (LIAC)
Free legal information can be obtained by the NSW general public from the State Library of NSW. The State Library houses the LIAC where legal research is undertaken on any topic by phone. Answers to legal questions can also be found online at their website. Are your clients preparing a will? Are they having trouble with neighbours? If they are renting, who pays for repairs? Call (02) 9273 1558 to find the information you need.
Evaluation of the 2006 family law reforms
In 2006 the Australian Government introduced changes to family law practices with the aim to require parents to attend family dispute resolution before filing a court application; to place increased emphasis on the need for both parents to be involved in their children’s lives after separation and to place greater emphasis on the need to protect children from exposure to family violence and child abuse. A review of this new approach has been completed by the Australian Institute of Family Studies. Read the report.
Father Frank Brennan appointed Catholic Advocate in Residence
Catholic Health Australia has appointed respected human rights activist and lawyer Father Frank Brennan to advocate on behalf of the clients of a range of Catholic social services. Read the media release.
New Zealand - family carer disability case
The NZ Human Rights Review Tribunal has made a declaration in a family carer disability case. It found that the NZ Ministry of Health's practice of not funding the employment of a person with a family member with a disability was discriminatory on the basis of family status. For details of the decision visit the legal website.
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My Plan My Choice
My Plan My Choice is a new self directed packaged support program for people with disabilities, their families and carers operating in the Northern Region of NSW. It is an initiative specifically for ageing carers of people with disability. Read more.
Breaking point
A documentary aired by Four Corners (ABC TV) on 15 February describes the system of support for people living with disability and their carers. It concludes that the patchwork of available assistance does not work and is effectively broken. Only a small proportion of people affected by disability receive any kind of support. Claims are made on the program that only 40 of the 300 beds promised and funded by the Australian Government have been delivered nationally. View the program or download the transcript.
Dramatic disability reform announced
As the Australian Government announced a feasibility study into a national disability care and support scheme, the 7.30 Report on ABC TV spoke to various groups and individuals about what such a scheme might signify. One of the interviewees was carer and Carers NSW Board Member Katrina Clark. To see the transcript or to watch the story visit the ABC website. See the December 2009 e-bulletin for more information about the scheme. For more recent thinking by the Australian Government on the issue, read these comments in the Australian Parliament by Bill Shorten, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services.
The Australian Government has asked the Australian Productivity Commission to conduct an inquiry into the proposed National Disability Long Term Care and Support Scheme for people with disabilities and their families. The inquiry will begin in April 2010, and the Commission is to report by 31 July 2011. Read the terms of reference and other information about the proposed scheme.
Young people in nursing homes
Channel 7 broadcast a story on the issue of young people with severe disabilities forced to live in nursing homes with elderly clientele. The show went to air on 21 February during the Sunday Night program. Read the transcript.
Long-term shortage of disability carers
The demand for carers, paid and unpaid, will rise as the population ages. One and a half million people are estimated to have a disability in 2010, while 2.3 million are expected by 2030. The public discussion sparked by the 2010 intergenerational report, the Australian Productivity Commission report (2010) and the imminent Henry tax review has focused attention on the issue of the shortage of carers into the future. Read a Sydney Morning Herald article for comment.
National disability parking scheme
A new nation-wide parking scheme for people with a disability will be operational by July this year. Carers NSW made a submission on behalf of the Network of Carers Associations to the inquiry into the scheme. Read the press release.
New Zealand - family carer case
The NZ Human Rights Review Tribunal has made a declaration in a family carer disability case. Read more.
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Sport and active recreation: barriers to participation
Recent research has consistently shown that people with a disability participate less in sport and active recreation than people without a disability. University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is undertaking further research which targets people with disability and aims to profile the reasons for their under-representation in sport and active recreation.
UTS is undertaking this research project for the Australian Sport Commission on the sport and active recreation experiences of people with a disability. In undertaking this research, a survey has been created. The survey is available online for completion until the end of March. If you cannot complete the survey online, alternative formats are available. For more information contact Ryan Sherry on (02) 9514 5101 or email.
Inquiry into planning options and services for people ageing with a disability
An Australian Government inquiry has been established to investigate options and services for people with a disability to ensure they enjoy a high quality of life as they and their carers age. The Senate Community Affairs Committee is seeking submissions from interested individuals and organisations. Read more. Closing date for submissions is 28 May 2010.
Guidebook supporting end of life care at home
On the Central Coast, a small group of veterans, their carers and staff from North Sydney and Central Coast Area Health Service have developed a guide for carers on the last stages of life and how to approach it to achieve 'a good death' for the person they care for. Read more.
Palliative care
Palliative Care Australia encourages broad participation in updating the national palliative care strategy. Read the media release. To participate as an organisation or as an individual go to this website.
Deaf children from early intervention program are ready for mainstream school
Early intervention and intensive therapies are credited with enabling deaf children to enter mainstream schools without any disadvantage. Their language and vocabulary scores are within normal range, an achievement unheard of a decade ago. Read about this experience from The Shepherd Centre.
Calendar of events for people with HIV
The Tree of Hope has a 2010 calendar of events for people with HIV, their families and carers. While events are auspiced by Catholic Care, Tree of Hope provides pastoral care and emotional support for people of all denominations. Visit the calendar.
Leaderlink. A resource for leaders of carer support groups
This updated resource for carer support group leaders is now available and is a companion to the training program offered by Alzheimer's NSW. For details contact Monica Cole (02) 9805 0100 or email.
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CALD project officer for the family and carer mental health program
Carers NSW is funded by the Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Office of NSW Health to operate the Family and Carer Mental Health Program (FCMHP) in three area health services in NSW: South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area, Greater Western Area and North Coast Area. The aim of the program is to help carers and their families to better understand mental illness, to acquire better and constructive ways of coping, and to improve their skills in gaining access to appropriate resources. Carers NSW has recently recruited a CALD Project Officer for the FCMHP. Read more.
Chronic illness may be no bar to immigration to Australia
Chronically ill family members of foreign workers may be allowed to settle in Australia under relaxed immigration rules following the Australian Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Migration's inquiry into the treatment of migrants with a disability. Carers NSW provided a submission to the Inquiry on behalf of the Network of Carers Associations.
At present visas are granted to people intending to migrate to Australia with the proviso that the person satisfies certain health requirements. The Committee has examined whether the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship should take into account the social and economic contribution made by migrants, as well as the anticipated health care costs of disability. Read more on the Parliamentary website and follow recent progress of the Inquiry in this media release. Read a discussion of the issue in The Australian.
Journal article
Representations and coverage of non-English speaking immigrants and multicultural issues in three major Australian health care publications
Pamela W Garrett et al
Australia and New Zealand Health Policy 2010, 7:1
The volume and depth of multicultural health research and evidence required for equity in policy and services is limited and uneven.
Full text
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Australian Medical Association (AMA) budget submission
The AMA has released its budget submission for the Australian Government's May budget. The AMA priorities for health in Australia are Indigenous health, mental health, general practice, sub-acute care, long-term care for people with serious disabilities, medical training, rural and remote health and e-health. Read the submission. Catholic Health Australia has also made budget proposals about the health system leading with the call for the Australian Government to become the single funder of all public hospitals. Read the submission.
e-health draft legislation released
The Australian Government’s initiative to introduce an e-health system has begun with draft legislation being released online. The Healthcare Identifiers Bill 2010 is to be introduced in Parliament in the first half of this year and will allow for the creation of healthcare identifiers – unique numbers assigned to all health consumers, professionals and organisations. The concept of individual healthcare identifiers is a cornerstone in e-health record keeping. e-health records could be a tool to facilitate the identification of carers in the health system. For more go to the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing website.
NSW Kids
In line with recommendations of the Garling Special Commission of Inquiry into the NSW public hospital system, the NSW Government has established NSW Kids. Under this new model, a children's branch of NSW Health will be created and a single CEO will be appointed to oversee the two pre-eminent children's hospitals in NSW at Randwick and Westmead. Read about the changes.
Voluntary income support payment changes
Centrelink
clients can opt to receive income support payments on a weekly, rather than a fortnightly, basis under new legislation introduced in February. The move is intended to assist people, like the homeless, to budget more effectively and has received widespread support. Read the Finance section of this e-bulletin.
Funding for youth homelessness in Western Sydney
The Australian Government has provided Anglicare with additional funding to support young people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The group of people to receive assistance is to include 12 to 18 year olds who have arrived in Australia in the previous five years. Read the media release.
Homeless need mental health support
The Rudd Government has promised to cut homelessness by half over the next decade. Read about the targets in the report The road home. But, according to an article in The Australian newspaper, mental health experts predict that targets won't be met unless the root cause of much homelessness, that is mental illness, is addressed. Read the article.
The Australian Government has responded by boosting the Personal Helpers and Mentors program to give more homeless clients access to face-to-face support. Read the media release.
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New Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
Former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) Chief Executive Mick Gooda has been appointed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner. Mr Gooda formally served as the Chief Executive
of the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health. Mr Gooda is a descendent of the Gangulu people of central Queensland and has worked for 25 years on Indigenous policy issues. He will replace Tom Calma who has been in the position since 2004. Mr Gooda’s five year appointment began in February.
Family violence, help-seeking and the close-knit Aboriginal community: lessons for mainstream service provision.
In this paper the authors, Bronwyn Lumby and Terri Farrelly, explore the foundation issues of Aboriginal community and kinship network relationships and cultural competence. The authors aim to provide both Aboriginal-specific and mainstream formal help sources with new directions in providing accessible and appropriate assistance, support and protection. Full text.
The Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse produces four issues papers a year. These provide a detailed analysis of specific issues of concern to those working and researching in the field of domestic and family violence.
National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) 2010
NAIDOC Week occurs in the first week of July every year to raise awareness of the status and treatment of Aboriginal Australians. All Australians are encouraged to participate. This year's theme is Unsung heroes - closing the gap by leading the way. Many Aboriginal Australian's achievements have gone unrecognised in the past. This year in NAIDOC Week they will be recognised. Visit NAIDOC website.
Working with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander families and organisations: a resource for family relationship services
This publication has been developed by the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) for use by mainstream services to foster culturally appropriate practices. For more details visit the SNAICC website.
Family Relationship Services Australia is the national peak body for family relationship and support services.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Association (NATSIHWA)
A new professional development resource has been set up in the form of a website to strengthen the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce. It provides workers in the sector with a means of continuing their professional development with access to position statements, online journals and research updates.
NATSIHWA has been established with funding from the Australian Government as part of the Closing the gap initiative to improve the health, employment and education prospects of Indigenous Australians so that they enjoy the same opportunities as other Australians. Visit the website.
Voluntary income support payment changes
Centrelink
clients can opt to receive income support payments on a weekly, rather than a fortnightly, basis under new legislation introduced in February. The move is intended to assist people, like the homeless, to budget more effectively and has received widespread support. Read the media release and messages of support for the new measures by the Australian Council of Social Service and the Welfare Rights Centre.
Voluntary income support differs from compulsory income management which was introduced in 2007 as part of the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NT Intervention) and involves the quarantining of a portion of a Centrelink clients income, including carer payments, so that essentials like food can be purchased. This measure has been less well received. Read recent Anglicare objections and then read more about compulsory income management. See December 2009 e-bulletin for further information. For the Australian Government's position on compulsory income management as a component of the NT Intervention, see their website.
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Child wellbeing in NSW
The Association of Children's Welfare Agencies supports the principle that requires Aboriginal children to be cared for within their own families and communities where possible. The Association believes that this practice keeps children connected to their family, community and culture and prevents repeating the stolen generation episode in Australian's history. Read the media release. Others agree and support the NSW Department of Community Services in applying the policy of Aboriginal placement. Read more.
Australian of the Year 2010
Mental health expert, Professor Patrick McGorry, has been named Australian of the Year 2010. His professional interests lie with young people's mental health and he is the Director of the National Youth Mental Health Foundation (headspace) and Executive Director of Orygen Youth Health. He has pioneered early intervention for young people with psychiatric illness. It is widely hoped that his award will add to the momentum for psychiatric reform.
SBS Television's first Insight program of 2010 included special guest Professor McGorry. With three-quarters of all mental health illness appearing before the age of 25 Professor McGorry is calling for an urgent rethink of the mental health system, and a renewed focus on young people and early interview as the answer. View the program or read the transcript online. Read the live chat transcript here.
Read more about Professor McGorry and mental health reform in The Australian article by Alan Rosen. Calls for reform of psychiatric care come from many quarters. Read this article from The Daily Telegraph. Others have called for a return to institutional care .
The economic impact of youth mental illness and the cost effectiveness of early intervention
According to a new report by Access Economics, one quarter of young Australians have some type of mental illness. This report examines the costs and benefits of coming to grips early with the problem. Read the report. An analysis of the figures on informal care of young people with mental illness is covered on page 25.
Community-based treatments rather that hospital beds
David Crosbie, CEO of the Mental Health Council of Australia, believes that the only solution to inadequate psychiatric care in hospitals is to provide expanded community options for treatment. According to his comments on the 7.30 Report in January, if 1000 psychiatric beds were created in NSW hospitals tomorrow they would be full within a month. Real change will come from investment in the community not in hospitals. Read a media release. Mr Crosbie is at odds with the Australian Medical Association (AMA) on the issue. The AMA in its pre-budget submission to the Australian Government has called for an increase in the number of hospital beds available for acute psychiatric care. For discussion on the issue read this article in The Australian.
Dual diagnosis resource kit
The Dual Diagnosis Resource Kit, developed by the NSW Department of Community Services, has been reprinted. The kit includes the following documents:
- Dual Diagnosis: A resource for caseworkers
- Dual Diagnosis: A resource for parents
- Dual Diagnosis: A resource for foster carers
- Dual Diagnosis: The Blue Polar Bear – storybook for 3-5 year olds
- Dual Diagnosis: The Flying Dream – storybook for 5-8 year olds
- Dual Diagnosis: Wallet card for 13-15 year olds
The resources are free and can be ordered by completing this form and faxing it through. Electronic copies of the resource kit can be downloaded from the Community Services website.
Live well with bipolar
Madeleine Kelly, author of Life on a roller coaster, has put together an online course called Living well with bipolar. The course is six weeks long and intended for consumers. Read the brochure.
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Breaking point
A documentary aired by Four Corners (ABC TV) on 15 February describes the system of support for people living with disability and their carers. It concludes that the patchwork of available assistance does not work and is effectively broken. Read from another section in this e-bulletin.
Child protection Australia 2008-2009
Statistics compiled by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows an increase in the number of children experiencing abuse and neglect. The figures have alarmed all child protection advocates.
View the report.
Kinship care in NSW - finding a way forward
This report is an exploration of the role the state plays in supporting kinship carers, the fastest growing out-of-home care in Australia. It focuses on NSW. Read the media release and the report.
Young carers Camp Muru
The young carer team at Carers NSW have announced that the upcoming camp for teenage young carers - Camp Muru - is now open for applications. Camp Muru (formerly know as Rathane) is a five day camp where young carers get the opportunity to have fun with other young carers while they have a break from their caring role. The camp takes place in April and the theme is Surf's Up! Download the application form. Camp volunteers are also required. Call the young carer team on 1800 242 636.
Young carers in Australia: understanding the advantages and disadvantages of their care giving
Released in December 2009, this report presents the findings from a multi-stage study on young carers undertaken by the Social Policy Research Centre to inform Australian Government decision making. The research identified some key areas for policy development, notably raising awareness of young carers in a range of institutional settings and recognising the centrality of educational settings to support young carers. Read the report.
Australian Parliamentary inquiry into bullying
Family First leader Senator Steve Fielding is working to set up a wide reaching inquiry into bullying with special focus on cyber bullying. Read the media release.
more ...
Carecareers website
A campaign to attract more disability and community workers
into the workforce has been successful with greater than expected interest from prospective applicants. Read the details.
The not-for-profit sector
The Australian Government has signed a new National Compact to support the not-for-profit sector. Read the media release.
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