NEWS & RESOURCES 

COVID-19 BBV and STI Sector briefing. The Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM), Australian Federation of AIDs Organisations (AFAO) and National Association for People with HIV Australia (NAPWHA) have provided an update on the impact of COVID-19 on the BBV and STI sector via a webinar. Key resources for each state are also available on the ASHM website. 

Blood-borne Virus and HIV COVID-19 National Taskforce. ASHM has recently announced the creation of a national taskforce to respond to the impact of COVID-19 on HIV, viral hepatitis and other blood-borne viruses (BBVs) in Australia. The taskforce will be lead by Australia's top BBV and HIV clinicians, and will provide guidance and analysis of COVID-19 data to ensure better outcomes for the people living with BBVs and HIV, and their healthcare workforce. 

Hepatitis and COVID-19 Resources. Hepatitis NSW. Get the facts on COVID-19, and how it affects those living with hepatitis B and hepatitis C in this resource. The factsheet contains information on COVID-19 for people affected by viral hepatitis, including information about how to reduce the likelihood of infection. The key message is to be vigilant and use basic measures to protect yourself against COVID-19.

Multilingual Coronavirus Portal SBS. SBS has made news and information about COVID-19 available in 63 languages. This portal aims to keep all Australians informed about the latest COVID-19 developments in languages other than English. 

Youth Educating Peers Project Goes Online. The Youth Educating Peers Project (YEP Project) is a youth peer sexual health project run by the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they will no longer be proving face-to-face services. All services will now be conducted online. The YEP Project will still be releasing educational resources through their website and social media channels. 

SHARE. HIV evidence. SHARE is a free repository of HIV/AIDs-related systematic reviews. Whether you’re a researcher, community member, healthcare provider or policymaker, SHARE provides a ‘one-stop shop’ for HIV-related information that has been published through a systematic review.

CONFERENCES

HIV2020. Originally scheduled for July, the HIV2020 conference in Mexico has officially been cancelled. Registrants will be reimbursed, and the organisers are currently exploring alternatives for the future, with a possibility of delivering the conference online. 

23rd International AIDS Conference 2020. The AIDS2020 conference will be delivered virtually, with the theme now being AIDS 2020: Virtual. The conference will shine a spotlight on the host cities, San Francisco and Oakland, exploring the tale of these two cities through science, innovation and activism, while underscoring the Bay Area’s dedication to health equity in its “Ending the HIV Epidemic” initiatives. 6-10 July. 

Asia Pacific HIV Clinical Forum. The forum has been postponed and will take place on 14 October in Bangkok, Thailand. The forum aims to bridge the knowledge gap between experts and the HIV treating community in the Asia Pacific region. This years theme is: Optimizing Treatment. The scholarships application deadline is now August 3.

Asia Pacific AIDS & Co-Infections Conference (APACC) 2020. The APACC2020 conference has been postponed and will take place from 15 - 17 October in Bangkok, Thailand. APACC2020 will provide a scientific platform that focuses on the developments, issues, and needs in the Asia Pacific region. The abstract submission deadline is now July 31, and scholarship applications are open until August 3.

TRAINING & SEMINARS 

WA AIDS Council Online Training Modules. The WA AIDS Council has recently developed online learning modules titled Module 01 - HIV Facts and Module 02 – BBV Training. Currently, these interactive and engaging online training modules are available free of charge to both the general public and anyone working in the sexual health sector. If you are interested in accessing either of these WA AIDS Council online training modules, please contact Robert Munce at rmunce@waaids.com.

Clinical Education Session - Journal Club. ASHM/SSHC. Journal Club is an evidence-based commentary session, framed within a clinical scenario. This session will focus on syphilis. If you are an HIV s100 prescriber you will be eligible to be accredited for HIV CPD points if you attend the full session. April 8 Online. 

Protective Behaviours. SECCA. This workshop is designed to train school based educators how to teach Protective Behaviour lessons using the SECCA App. May 12, West Perth. (subject to COVID-19 restrictions, this will be updated next month)

ASHM Learning Modules. ASHM offer a range of free learning modules. The courses are evidence based, peer reviewed and tailored to meet the needs of healthcare professionals working with people living with or at risk of HIV, viral hepatitis and other blood-borne viruses/sexually transmitted infections. Online.

Research Skills Seminar Series 2020. The PCH Research Skills Seminar Series is a regular series of research related seminars that are available to attend online. To find out about upcoming seminars visit their website. To access past seminars, see here. Online.

Introduction to Health Research. The Research Education and Training Program (RETProgram) is a training platform funded by WA Department of Health, to develop and deliver online research training modules. Online.

Your Cultural Lens. Delivered free and online by WA Health, Your Cultural Lens is an educational training resource in cross-cultural communication for sexual health and BBVs. The training is split into modules that focus on increasing cultural competency. Online. 

GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

Workforce Development Bursaries. Department of Health. People working within Western Australia in the sexual health and blood-borne viruses sector are encouraged to apply for a WA Health bursary or scholarship. See if you are eligible. 

JOBS

Chevron Aboriginal Cadetship Program. Chevron. Applications are open for the Aboriginal Cadetship Program, which supports Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students to successfully complete their university degree and gain valuable work experience in a leading international liquefied natural gas business. Applications close Sunday 17 May.

Resources Project Officer. NAPWHA. Applications are open for a project officer to join the Sydney based NAPHWA team, who's role will involve delivering two exciting education projects in 2020. Applications close Thursday 9 April.