2009/10 Annual ReportIndigenous Allied Health Australia Inc

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CEO’s REPORT

It was a great honour to be appointed as the first CEO of this exciting and visionary organisation. I wish to acknowledge the work of the Board of Directors, under the leadership of James Charles, in defining IAHA’s vision and in pursuing strategies to address aspects of allied health training and the inequities in the availability of allied health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

It is notable that within its first year of operation, Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) has a seat on the Closing the Gap Campaign Steering Committee, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Working Group and the National Allied Health Advisory Committee, as well as a number of other committees. IAHA has a key role in promoting culturally appropriate, accessible and affordable allied health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities. As CEO I have actively forged sound working relationships with fellow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leaders as well as with key allied health professionals.

Although the staff numbers are small IAHA is fortunate to have a dedicated and very professional team who have helped build the profile of the organisation, established sound administrative systems, developed funding submissions for projects in pursuit of our vision and grown our membership base. I would also like to thank the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association, who so generously mentored IAHA in its very early days.

I am particularly pleased to see that our membership is steadily growing and I believe that IAHA has major potential, through this membership, to achieve its vision for equality in health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I look forward to continuing to work towards these important goals over the coming 12 months.

Craig Dukes

sTAFF LIsT

Craig Dukes, Chief Executive Officer, 2 December 2009

Kirsty Glanville, Executive Officer, 29 January 2010

Lin Oke, Executive Project Officer, 1st July 2009

Monefa Rusanov, Office Administrator, 4th March 2010

It is notable that within its first year of operation, Indigenous Allied Health Australia has a seat on the Closing the Gap Campaign Steering Committee, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Working Group and the National Allied Health Advisory Committee...

BOARD MEETINGs UP TO 30 JUNE 2010

Tuesday 9th June 2009 Monday 15th June 2009 Thursday 20th August 2009 Wednesday 9th December 2009 Tuesday 27th April 2010

CHAIRPERsON’s REPORT

It has truly been an honour to be the inaugural Chairperson of Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA). It has been a great learning experience and extremely rewarding for me. It hasn’t always been easy, there has been a lot of hard work, with many ups and downs, but all totally worthwhile.

I would like to acknowledge my fellow Board members, past and present. They are a very intelligent and motivated group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health professionals, and this is reflected with the success we have had so far. I believe it is very important for a national organisation like IAHA to have a broad representation, and we do represent more than 10 Nations and have a diverse range of working experiences.

IAHA would not be possible without funding and I would like to acknowledge the financial assistance from Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

Unfortunately allied health is often out of reach for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as it is often only accessed by those with health insurance and or money to attend private clinics. We need culturally appropriate, accessible and affordable allied health services for our communities. We also need more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health professionals. Currently there are only a few allied health students - we must do everything possible to dramatically increase this number. It is paramount that all students in allied health and those all ready graduated are better educated. IAHA is currently working with universities around Australia on curriculum change, and I believe this will increase dramatically the number of allied health professionals working in Aboriginal health.

An important early step in our journey was selecting our first CEO – Craig Dukes, who came to IAHA with a wealth of experience working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and Australian government departments. Craig has done a great job in a short time. He has excellent networking skills and has worked with the Board to get IAHA on key national committees and allied health in the mindset of health policy planners.

We are still building our membership and brand. I have been travelling around Australia this past year, talking with colleagues and organisations, attending meetings, presenting at conferences and symposia - speaking about IAHA’s vision to health students, allied health professionals and government bureaucrats.

I have never been more motivated and excited about IAHA - I see an extremely bright future for the organisation. I believe that it is possible to close the life expectancy gap in a generation. Of course it will take a lot of hard work and good will, but if IAHA continues on its current course, we can make a great contribution. This is something worth fighting for, and any sacrifice we may have to make will be a small cost and nothing compared to that of many of our ancestors. I hope to continue my work with IAHA at any level the members and Board see fit, and believe in IAHA’s motto “future thinkers for the greater good”, we must be modern and pragmatic in our thinking and be prepared to sacrifice for the greater good to achieve our goals for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Allied health should take its rightful place as a major contributor to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. We have worked very hard to put allied health on the map, but more work still needs to be done.

James Charles

BOARD OF DIRECTORs 1sT JULY 2009 – 30TH JUNE 2010

Noell Burgess QLD Dietitian, from Goenpul people

Anita Burns QLD Radiographer

Karla Canuto SA Exercise Physiologist, Kulkalgul Clan of the Torres Straits (from 9/12/09)

James Charles Chairperson, SA Podiatrist, from Kaurna people

Pat Dudgeon WA Psychologist, from Bardi people (from 9/12/09)

Chontel Gibson Deputy Chairperson & from 9/12/09 Treasurer, NSW Occupational Therapist, from Kamilaroi Country

Tara Lewis QLD Speech Pathologist, from Iman people

Faye McMillan NSW Pharmacist, from Wiradjuri people

Marilyn Morgan WA Physiotherapist

Kylie Stothers NT Social Worker, from Jawoyn people

Walker Tabua Treasurer (to 11/11/09), QLD Exercise Physiologist, from Torres Strait Islander people

I believe that it is possible to close the life expectancy gap in a generation. Of course it will take a lot of hard work and good will.......

IAHA’s VIsION

IAHA’s vision is to achieve the same quality of health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. IAHA aims to work towards this vision through three key objectives:

1 Contribute to improved knowledge and competencies of allied health practitioners working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities

• Advocate for excellence in tertiary curricula development to address science, socio-cultural and economic determinants of Indigenous health • Provide educational events, resources & learning opportunities for allied health professionals to gain the understanding, knowledge and skills to be culturally competent

2 Contribute to improved allied health services for Indigenous people and communities

• Encourage & facilitate a greater number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health professionals • Develop & contribute to Indigenous health policy and planning

3 Provide effective support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of IAHA

• Facilitate collegial networks of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health professionals

Top: Chairperson & Podiatrist James Charles

Bottom: Back row (L-R) Kylie Stothers, James Charles, Marilyn Morgan, Todd Heard, Chontel Gibson Front row (L-R) Noell Burgess, Tara Lewis, Faye McMillan, Karla Canuto

Top: Chief Executive Officer - Craig Dukes

Bottom: (L-R) Kirsty Glanville (Executive Officer), Monefa Rusanov (Office Administrator), Lin Oke (Executive Project Officer), Craig Dukes

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IAHA’s BRIEF HIsTORY

February 2008 The Koori Occupational Therapy Scheme developed a proposal for funding to establish an Indigenous allied health network. The proposal was auspiced by Allied Health Professions Australia.

July 2008 The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing funded a 12 month project to establish the Indigenous Allied Health Network.

9th June 2009 Nine Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health professionals attended the first General Meeting of Indigenous Allied Health Australia. During the meeting the purposes and objectives of IAHA and the proposed Rules were adopted. The first Committee of Management was appointed. Shortly afterwards, the newly established Committee of Management met and elected the President, Vice President and Treasurer.

12th June 2009 Indigenous Allied Health Australia was incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act in Victoria as a national association.

July 2009 The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing provided 12 months funding to Indigenous Allied Health Australia Inc.

2nd December 2009 IAHA’s CEO appointed.

1st March 2010 IAHA’s office was established at 10 Thesiger Court Deakin ACT 2601.

8th July 2010 IAHA Inc held a Launch celebration at the Koorie Heritage Trust in Melbourne.

ACHIEVEMENTs IN 2009/10

1. Contribute to improved allied health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities

More Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health professionals needed

A key factor in improving the health and social outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is their greater participation and control in the delivery of health services. The under-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the allied health workforce is an issue of concern for Indigenous Allied Health Australia.

During this year meetings and discussions have been held with the Australian Council of Pro Vice-Chancellors and Deans of Health Sciences (ACPDHS) around the need to develop national standards for the core curricula in Indigenous health for all allied health undergraduate and graduate entry programs as well as strategies which will result in improved recruitment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health students.

The IAHA website has information on allied health courses and scholarships which will assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in their decision about becoming an allied health professional. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school children have been encouraged to visit the IAHA website by allied health students participating in the Health Careers in the Bush program with students in the Top End and Central Australia and by Board members and secretariat staff at health careers expos at various locations. IAHA’s commitment to providing this information is on-going and will continue to be update and improved.

More knowledgeable allied health practitioners needed

Given that the allied health workforce comprises predominantly non-Indigenous practitioners it is important that they are assisted in gaining a greater understanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and cultures and the health needs of their communities.

Allied health professionals work in a variety of settings with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: across the lifespan; along the prevention-remediation continuum; and at individual and community levels. They also work in a wide range of clinical, community and government settings. In many hospital and mainstream community health, mental health and aged care services

The year’s achievements culminated in the celebratory launch of IAHA on 8th July 2010 – just past the end of its first year. We have included photos of this event attended by many dignitaries from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health fraternity and the allied health professions which was opened by the Minister for Indigenous Health the Honorable Warren Snowdon MP after a Welcome to Country by Aunty Joy Murphy.

James Charles (Chairperson), with the Hon Warren Snowdon (Minister for Indigenous Health)

James Charles (Chairperson), Tom Calma (National Coordinator for Tackling Indigenous Smoking), Craig Dukes (CEO)

Craig Dukes (CEO), James Charles (Chairperson), Rod Jackson (CEO of VAHS), Aunty Joy Murphy (Wurundjeri Elder), the Hon Warren Snowdon (Minister for Indigenous Health)

Kirsty Glanville (EO) with Aunty Joy Murphy (Wurundjeri Elder)

Noell Burgess (Dietitian), Karla Canuto (Excercise Physiologist), Tara Lewis (Speech Pathologist)

Kylie Stothers (Social Worker), Chontel Gibson (Occupational Therapist), Tara Lewis (Speech Pathologist).

Launch photographer Jessie French

there are no specific Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander positions in place to support the allied health team provide culturally appropriate services.

IAHA Board and staff members have given presentations at health conferences and student symposia to increase the knowledge and understanding of allied health practitioners working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

IAHA facilitated the uptake of internships offered to allied health students by Indigenous Community Volunteers undertaking clinical placements in Aboriginal health services or communities. IAHA also linked some allied health students seeking placements with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and communities with an allied health clinical coordinator in the Northern Territory.

IAHA website members have access to a growing bank of resource material and links to other websites and resources or online learning under the following topics: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history; cultural safety; Indigenous health; addressing Indigenous health and; general interest. The website is regularly updated as material becomes available.

Advocate for allied health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health policy and planning

From the outset IAHA has enjoyed a good working relationship with the other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health associations – the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA), the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses, the Indigenous Dentists Association of Australia and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers Association. IAHA also has a good working relationship with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and acknowledges their early support and encouragement, along with AIDA’s as IAHA was established. IAHA looks forward to working with these organisations closely in the future to achieve better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

IAHA is recognised as the peak Aboriginal and Torres Strait body for allied health and its input is sought and welcomed on a number of key national bodies including the Closing The Gap Steering Committee, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Working Group and the National Allied Health Advisory Committee.

IAHA has teamed up with rural and remote health organisations such

as CRANAPlus and SARRAH in advocating for allied health services for rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The need for greater inclusion of allied health services in Aboriginal medical services has been raised whenever the opportunity has arisen – in meetings, at conference presentations and in informal meetings and discussions with representatives from Community Controlled Organisations, officers in the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and with Aboriginal Directors in state Departments of Health.

2. Provide effective support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of Indigenous Allied Health Australia

The number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health professionals who have joined into the Indigenous Allied Health Australia website has grown during this year from 67 to 87. In addition 66 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners and professionals who are not in allied health have also joined for the collegial support. Refer to page 7 for more detail on IAHA Membership. Various discipline specific networking is led by professional representatives on the board of Indigenous Allied Health Australia. The IAHA website provides resource material and links and discussion forums, including Indigenous-only forums, to support members.

3. Grow the profile of Indigenous Allied Health Australia

Indigenous Allied Health Australia has had articles featured in a number of prominent national health magazines: Partyline; Australian Medicine; Health Matters; Outback Flyer; and the Primary Health Care Research and Information Service and AIDA newsletters. These articles promoted IAHA’s vision and objectives, provided commentary on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and advocated for improved access to allied health services.

Presentations and the distribution of IAHA postcards and posters at numerous conferences and symposia during the year have added to the profile of IAHA and have drawn peoples’ attention to the IAHA website.

The number of visitors to the IAHA website increased markedly during the second half of this year. There are regularly more than 4,000 visitors to the site each month - illustrating the continued awareness of the value of the organisation’s website and the value of its regularly updated information and resource material.

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PLANs FOR THE YEAR AHEAD JULY 2010 TO JUNE 2011

1. Contribute to improved knowledge and competencies of allied health practitioners working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities

Advocate for and contribute to improved tertiary curricula addressing socio-cultural and economic determinants of Indigenous health and culturally safe service delivery

A funding proposal will be developed in conjunction with the Pro Vice Chancellors and Deans of Health Sciences to improve the teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in allied health programs.

Advocate for and facilitate fieldwork placements and clinical learning opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) or like organisations, at early childhood services and in schools

Allied health students and their teachers will continue to be assisted with information on gaining clinical placements with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and on the availability of support.

A funding proposal will be developed for a project to develop and trial video recorded clinical sessions with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and/or actors to efficiently provide clinical learning opportunities to a great many allied health students via videoconferencing.

Provide educational events, resources and learning opportunities for allied health professionals to gain the understanding, knowledge and skills to be culturally competent, in conjunction with organisations involved in education and research

The Indigenous Allied Health Australia website “Events” page will continue to be updated with relevant educational events, as well as the members’ area with resource materials and links to current health policies and other resource materials and online learning.

A survey of website members will be undertaken to gain baseline data on knowledge and confidence levels for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities. 2. Contribute to improved allied health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities

Establish accurate data collection on the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health professionals and students, on allied health positions in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, and on level of allied health services accessed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Research will be undertaken on relevant data collections to document current baseline data on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health professionals and students.

A funding proposal will be developed for a project to research and document allied health services accessed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: which allied health services; where they are offered and accessed; comparing access in metropolitan, rural and remote regions.

Encourage and facilitate a greater number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health professionals

Indigenous Allied Health Australia will continue to promote allied health careers to young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at school career events and expos.

A DVD featuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health

professionals will be developed for distribution to schools and utilisation at career expos and conferences.

More video-clips for the IAHA website will be made of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health professionals speaking of their passion for their career.

Contribute to policy and planning committees addressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, representing and advocating for allied health

As well as maintaining effective IAHA representation on current committees, IAHA will seek representation on other significant committees.

Advocate for improved access to allied health services by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Indigenous Allied Health Australia will continue to promote the benefits of, and advocate for better access to, allied health services at various relevant national committees on which IAHA is represented. 3. Provide effective support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of IAHA

Facilitate the development of a greater knowledge base of effective support strategies for Indigenous health professionals

Indigenous Allied Health Australia will subscribe to relevant journals and newsletters of Indigenous health professional groups in Canada, NZ and USA and will make these accessible to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of IAHA.

Support will be provided to Board Members’ visits to Indigenous health professional organisations and / or attendance at international Indigenous health symposia and conferences.

Facilitate collegial networks of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health professionals

IAHA is keen to further develop good working relationships with established discipline specific groups like the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association and the National Council of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Workers seeking collaborative approaches to contribute to closing the health gap and offering secretariat support.

The discipline specific networking which is lead by professional representatives on the Board of IAHA will be maintained.

Facilitate support of less experienced Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health professionals

Continue to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander IAHA members with advice and guidance via website resources and in response to telephone calls and emails.

A mentorship program will be developed to facilitate mentorship of less experienced Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health professionals. 4. Consolidate the capacity and profile of Indigenous Allied Health Australia Indigenous Allied Health Australia will continue to promote its website to all stakeholders via emails, web links, newsletter articles, media releases and conference presentations.

Strong working relationships will continue to be built with relevant Australian and State & Territory Government departments, national Indigenous health organisations, AGPN, NGOs, Australian universities’ health science faculties and allied health professional associations.

Promotion of the IAHA trademark/brand will continue to facilitate its recognition with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health initiatives.

Income Statement for the Year Ended 30 June 2010

Income $482,742

Promotional expense ($17,459)

Occupancy expense ($17,147)

Administrative expense ($38,070)

Employee expenses ($269,028)

Finance costs ($89)

Board expenses ($53,949)

Members meeting expenses ($13,485)

Conference expenses ($25,740)

Representation expenses ($11,693)

Staff travel expenses ($13,487)

Depreciation ($2,465)

Income before income tax $20,130

IAHA Inc membership by disciplineIAHA Inc membership by state

Website Membership

Website membership and visitors

05 10 15 20 25

WA

VIC

TAS

SA

QLD

NT

NSW Full members

Associate members

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

Website Membership

Website visitors

Jun 2010

May 2010

Apr 2010

Mar 2010

Feb 2010

Jan 2010

Dec 2009

Nov 2009

Oct 2009

Sep 2009

Aug 2009

Jul 200905 10 15 20 25 30

Other health professions

Other allied health professions

Speech Pathologists

Social Workers

Radiographers/sonographers

Psychologists

Podiatrists

Physiotherapists

Pharmacists

Occupational Therapists

Exercise Physiologists

Dietitians

Audiologists

Full members

Associate members

05 0 100 150 200 250 300

Other health professionsOther allied health professions

Speech PathologistsSocial Workers

Radiographers/sonographersPsychologists

Podiatrists Physiotherapists

PharmacistsOccupational Therapists

Exercise PhysiologistsDietitians

Audiologists

Indigenous

Non-Indigenous

IAHA INC MEMBERsHIP PROFILE

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are either allied health professionals or allied health students are eligible for Full Membership of Indigenous Allied Health Australia Inc. The Full membership of IAHA Inc has grown from 9 to 35 in one year from July 2009.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are in other health professions are eligible for Associate Membership of IAHA Inc – along with non-Indigenous allied health professionals and assistants. The Associate membership has grown from 21 in July 2009 to 73 a year later.

Refer to the graphs illustrating membership by discipline as well as by state/territory.

IAHA WEBsITE: www.indigenousalliedhealth.com.au

The Indigenous Allied Health Australia website’s public pages are designed to provide easy access to the latest information that would be of interest particularly to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people thinking about a career in one of the many allied health professions, as well as other members of the public. The front page has a number of tabs, which lead to detailed information about: IAHA and its leadership; Allied Health Careers (courses, scholarships, career opportunities, research); Related Organisations; and News and Events.

The members’ pages contain the members’ directory, resource files and links to other useful sites, documents and on-line learning as well as a range of exchange groups for members’ discussions around particular topics.

Membership of the IAHA website has grown from 560 at the beginning of July 2009 to 971 at the end of June 2010. The growth of the website membership is a significant marker of the spread of knowledge and information as well as the formation of relationships. Refer to the graphs illustrating the steady growth in website membership and growth in visits to the website.

FINANCEs OF IAHA INC

The Board of Indigenous Allied Health Australia wishes to express its gratitude to the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing for providing a significant grant to enable Indigenous Allied Health Australia Inc to pursue its goals.

2009/10 Annual ReportIndigenous Allied Health Australia Inc

Indigenous Allied Health Australia Inc

www.indigenousalliedhealth.com.au ABN: 42680384985

Canberra Office: PO Box 323, Deakin West ACT 2600Phone: 02 6285 1010Fax: 02 6260 5581Email: admin@indigenousalliedhealth.com.au

Original artwork by Aboriginal artist Colleen Wallace of Utopia,

Northern Territory, depicting people coming together to meet.