NEWS & RESOURCES

SiREN Symposium. The SiREN Symposium is returning in 2022. The Symposium is for all who work or have an interest in the sexual health and blood-borne virus sector. Showcasing the latest in practice and research, the Symposium will be held in Perth at the Novotel Perth Langley Hotel on June 24, 2022. Abstract submissions close March 29. Visit the Symposium website for tickets and more info.

Sexual Health Week: STIs Happen. Be Proud to Test. WA Sexual Health Week will begin on Monday 14 February which is observed as National Condom Day with this years theme; Chat and Check In. The week runs until Monday 21 February and is an opportunity to openly discuss sexual health, learn new things and educate others. The week aims to empower people through open and positive conversations around sexual health. More information can be found through the WAAC website.

Help Improve Sexual Health Resources. Curtin University researchers are having group conversations to find out what people do or don’t like about new sexual health information resources. They hope to improve resources so that they are helpful for people from different backgrounds. You can participate if you are: over 18 years old; of African, Asian, or Middle Eastern descent; currently living in Western Australia; interested in improving health information for people from your community; and, willing to spare 1.5hrs of your time. Please contact Daniel if you have any questions, would like more information, or would like to participate at daniel.vujcich@curtin.edu.au.

Incorporating Quality of Life Into People Living with HIV Clinical and Community Care. The Centre for Social Impact is conducting research that aims to enhance clinical and community practice by identifying health and social patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for people living with HIV (PLHIV). Peer advocates, community and clinical health workers, and people working in outcomes monitoring who work with PLHIV are invited to participate in the research, to ensure the PROMs included will be most effective in capturing outcomes that will best inform your work. If you would like further information, questions, or would like to participate, please contact Ally Olekalns at a.olekalns@unsw.edu.au or Associate Professor Graham Brown at graham.brown@unsw.edu.au for more information. 

Finding 50,000. Led by Hepatitis Australia and funded by the Federal government, this campaign will work with local services and communities to engage with 50,000 people with hepatitis C by the end of 2022. In particular, the campaign will target geographically dispersed and socially diverse people who so far, have not been reached by the “business-as-usual” national hepatitis C response. The campaign aims to deliver on the Australian Government's goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health concern by 2030. More information can be found on the Hepatitis Australia website. 

CONFERENCES

FECCA 2022: Advancing Multicultural Australia. The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia, and the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria. This is the premier conference on multiculturalism, diversity and inclusion, and migration.  Abstract submissions are closed. Melbourne. March, 10-11.

Preventive Health Conference. Public Health Association of Australia. This conference is an annual event that provides a platform to engage, challenge and exchange ideas, where pivotal issues for building prevention in Australia are discussed and where delegates can learn from the experience, opinions and perspectives of sector leaders and their peers. Abstract submissions are closed. Brisbane. May, 11-13.

13th Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference. Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine. The conference supports the health workforce, government and community to work towards the elimination of hepatitis B and hepatitis C and supporting the communities living with these conditions in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia and Pacific regions. Abstract submissions are closed. Brisbane. May, 29-31. 

16th National Rural Health Conference. National Rural Health Alliance. This conference enables the exchange of information on the latest developments in rural and remote health. The theme 'Bridging social distance; Rural health innovating and collaborating' focuses on bridging the divides created by challenging public health environment and provide opportunities to collaborate and to share innovations that could strengthen the rural health system. Abstract submissions are closed. Perth. May, 30 - June, 1. 

SiREN Symposium: Breaking Out and Breaking Through. SiREN. The Symposium is for all who work or have an interest in the sexual health and blood-borne virus sector. This years theme 'Breaking out and breaking through' will explore outbreak response lessons for and from the sexual health and blood-borne virus sector. Abstract submissions are due March 29. Perth. June, 24.

Joint Australasian HIV&AIDS + Sexual Health Conferences. ASHM. This annual conference is a platform for the dissemination and presentation of new and innovative research findings across the Australasian HIV sector. Abstract submissions close May, 1. Brisbane. August, 29 - September, 1. 

TRAINING & SEMINARS

SiREN Short Courses. SiREN has launched a new pilot program of free online training modules designed to support those working in the WA sexual health and blood-borne virus sector. Available on-demand, these modules will build your capabilities in health promotion planning and evaluation. These modules will suit you if you are new to public health and to applying a health promotion lens to sexual health and blood-borne viruses, or if you are interested in refreshing your skills and knowledge in this area. The training is open to those working WA only. Enrol now!

Imagining and remaking PrEP after COVID-19: an evidence-making intervention perspective. Centre for Social Research in Health. This seminar will explore approaches to improving uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV acquisition in the context of COVID-19. The seminar will be presented by Professor Martin Holt, who has a strong background in HIV prevention, particularly with gay and bisexual men. He leads the Gay Community Periodic Surveys and the PrEPARE Project, a long term study of community attitudes to biomedical HIV prevention. October, 20. Online. 

Evaluation and value for money: an approach using rubrics and mixed methods. Australian Evaluation Society. This workshop provides practical guidance, underpinned by a sound theoretical framework, for evaluating value for money. It focuses on unpacking a process of explicit evaluative reasoning (using rubrics) and the use of mixed methods (qualitative, quantitative, and economic). Online. October, 20 and 27. Online.

Stigma and the structure of health systems. UNSW Centre for Social Research in Health. As part of the Spotlight on Stigma series, this webinar will explore the organisation and structure of health systems. An expert panel will discuss how these organisational and structural factors can produce stigma and will provide participants with tools for tackling stigma within health systems. Online. October, 21. 

HIV Case Discussion​  - HIV s100 Prescriber Update With a Focus on Women Living With HIV. ASHM. This course is an opportunity for HIV s100 Prescribers to receive an update in topics relevant to the management of people living ​with HIV, discuss their cases with a specialist and peers, and network with other s100 prescribers. Online. October, 25.

Burnet Kirby Report Launch: Australia’s progress towards hepatitis C elimination. Burnet Institute and Kirby Institute. The webinar launches Australia’s progress towards hepatitis C elimination report. The report compiles key data to provide an overview of Australia's progress in key areas including trends in new infections, testing and diagnosis, treatment uptake and outcomes, morbidity, stigma and discrimination, primary prevention, equity, mathematical and economic modelling. Online. October, 27. 

Curing Hepatitis C in Primary Care. ASHM. This course provides general practitioners, nurse practitioners and other prescribing practitioners the skills and confidence to diagnose, assess, manage and treat HCV in primary care. Online. October, 30. 

SHARE Forum. SHQ. SHARE is a network designed for those working with young people regarding sexual health. SHARE aims to provide regular support, through meetings, so workers can better support and educate young people they work with. This forum will be about periods for young people. If you are interested in sharing your work, a project, resources or anything similar please contact Stephen. November, 2. Northbridge or online. 

Grant Applications and Finding Funding. Government of Western Australia, Child and Adolescent Health Services. This seminar covers where and how to find grant opportunities and strategies for putting together a high-quality grant application. It also focuses on understanding the grant review process, and how to submit and respond to reviewer comments. Option to attend the live seminar at Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands and other locations around WA, or online. November, 5. 

STARS. SHQ. STARS is a two-day introductory course to help build knowledge and confidence to Start Talking About Relationships and Sexual health with young Aboriginal people. STARS is designed for Aboriginal community members and others working with young Aboriginal people. November, 16 & 17. Northbridge.

Sexual Health in Primary Care. ASHM. This two-part workshop will provide primary care providers with the information and tools required to improve STI screening and care for at-risk and key affected populations. The online workshops will also cover strategies available for the prevention of HIV transmission and highlight the importance of contact tracing and partner notification. December, 1 & 2. Online. 

STIs In WA Primary Care - Online Module. SHQ. The course is intended to provide primary health care professionals with comprehensive education about discussing STIs with patients, and testing for and managing STIs. It includes public health responsibilities and legal issues and recommends useful online resources for ongoing use. Access anytime. Online.

Syphilis Outbreak Training. ASHM. Professional development training is now available for health practitioners affected by the ongoing outbreak of infectious syphilis among young Aboriginal people in regions of Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia.  The training can be accessed anytime on the ASHM Online Learning System under STI/BBVs in the course catalogue. An ASHM login is required.

Introduction to Syphilis for Midwives: Western Australia. ASHM. This course is for Western Australian midwives, to develop their skills to confidently discuss sexual health with patients, conduct guideline-based syphilis screening and testing, health pathway of pregnancy in syphilis, and initiate contact tracing. The training can be accessed anytime on the ASHM Online Learning System by searching 'Syphilis for Midwives' in the course catalogue. An ASHM login is required.

GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

Relationships and Sexuality Education School Grants. The WA Department of Health, Growing and Developing Healthy Relationships is offering grants of up to $1,200 to Western Australian schools to support their Relationships and Sexuality Education programs. The grant can be used for a variety of purposes including the provision of relief teachers so that your staff can attend professional development. To find out more please visit this website. Please contact Ross Mackenzie if you have any questions. Applications close February, 22.