NEWS & RESOURCES

SiREN Symposium 2024 Registrations Open! Registrations for the 2024 SiREN Symposium are open. Registration is available for face-to-face and online attendance. Registration includes access to all program sessions and is fully catered for face-to-face attendees. Additionally, face-to-face registrations include a complementary ticket to the Symposium sundowner networking event. Abstract submissions are closed. Visit the Symposium website to find out more and register your attendance.  

Abortion Legislation Reform Act 2023. Department of Health, Government of Western Australia. The Abortion Legislation Reform Act 2023 (WA) came into effect in Western Australia on 27 March 2024. Introduction of the new laws ensures WA has modernised abortion laws that address inequity of access in line with other Australian jurisdictions and has removed clinically unnecessary barriers for women accessing an abortion.

Digital and Data Capabilities for Sexual Health Project: Recruiting Research Participants. Swinburne University of Technology. Swinburne researchers are currently recruiting adults aged 18-29 for online group discussions about their everyday use of digital tech for sexual and reproductive health, relationships and wellbeing. This project will help Swinburne researchers design training and education resources for members of the health workforce contact. Register your interest here. 

Real Talk: About Sex n' Stuff. True Relationships & Reproductive Health. Real Talk: About Sex n' Stuff is an evidence-based, inclusive, and shame-free booklet that was developed through a series of co-design workshops with young people. This versatile resource can be used to teach or learn about safer sex and healthy relationships, or individual pages can be used by youth workers, educators, and parents/carers as conversation starters with young people.

New Resource Database for Staff Working in Sexual Health & BBVs. Department of Health, Government of Western Australia. This document provides an overview of the essential information, links and resources for staff working in the sexual health and blood-borne viruses space in WA. 

Expressions of interest to focus test new 'Could it be syphilis?' resource. ASHM is calling for expressions of interest to focus test their new Could it be syphilis? resource, which is currently under development. The resource is intended to alert healthcare providers (particularly those in primary care, emergency medicine and homeless health services) to the syphilis epidemic and reinforces when they should be testing for syphilis.

The role of LGBTIQA+ peer-led services in meeting the health needs of LGBTIQA+ people in Australia report. Collective Action & Meridian. This report presents the findings of a national study into the role of peer-led services in meeting the health needs of LGBTIQA+ people. Access the report here.

CONFERENCES

SiREN Symposium 2024. SiREN. The SiREN Symposium will be held on 30th and 31st May 2024 at The Hub, Bentley Technology Park and will be delivered online and in person. The theme for the Symposium is Getting to zero: Community and workforce actions for the elimination of HIV, hepatitis C and congenital syphilis transmission in WA. We are please to announce the Symposium will feature the following keynote speakers: Professor Carla Trealor, Dash Heath-Paynter, Dr Lorraine Anderson and Dr Richelle Douglas. Please visit the Symposium website for more information and contact siren@curtin.edu.au for any questions. Abstract submissions are closed. 30-31 May 2024. Perth, Australia.

AIDS 2024. International AIDS Society. This conference will convene thousands of people living with, affected by and working on HIV to share knowledge, best practice and lessons learnt from the HIV response over the past 40 years, as well as from the responses to COVID-19, mpox and other public health threats. Abstract submissions are closed. 22-26 July 2024. Munich, Germany.

Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference. ASHM. The Australasian HIV&AIDS conference returns in 2024, bringing the latest state-of-the-art research and evidence to Australia. Join delegates from Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Pacific to hear from speakers from across the globe on the latest in HIV. Abstract submissions are open. 16-18 September 2024. Sydney, Australia.

14th Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference. ASHM. This conference is being held on Larrakia country, Garamilla (Darwin), Northern Territory. This conference will bring together researchers, community members, health professionals and policymakers with the shared vision of eliminating viral hepatitis through collaboration, innovation and commitment. Abstract submissions are open. 1-3 August 2024. Darwin.

25th IUSTI World Congress. IUSTI & ASHM. This conference, which will incorporate the Australasian Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference, will provide an opportunity to meet, discuss and learn about the latest research and innovation in sexual and reproductive health. Abstract submissions are open. 17-20 September 2024. Sydney, Australia. 

TRAINING & SEMINARS

SiREN Short Courses. The SiREN Short Courses are free online training modules designed to support those working in the WA SHBBV sector. Available on-demand, these modules will build your capabilities in health promotion planning and evaluation. Each course contains a series of modules with videos, readings and activities enabling you to apply the concepts to a topic relevant to your work. Experienced staff will join you on your learning journey. The training is open to those working in WA only. Click here to enrol.

Viral Hepatitis and Preventing Liver Cancer Seminar. ASHM. This seminar will provide participants with an overview of viral hepatitis, to further engage people living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C in care and prevent liver cancer. A session on case finding and clinical auditing will provide strategies to identify people for testing, management and follow-up.​ 30 May 2024. The Hub, Technology Park, WA. 

Nuts and Bolts of Sexual Health. Sexual Health Quarters. This course has been designed for youth workers and others in the youth sector to develop core knowledge, attitudes and skills required to provide information and support for young people around respectful relationships and sexual health issues. 7-9 May 2024. Northbridge, WA. 

Empowering Your Clients via a Pleasure-Centred Approach to Sexual Health. ASHM. This webinar, aimed at health professionals and educators, will outline the value of pleasure-focused, positive approaches to sexual and reproductive health and relationships and sexuality education. It will emphasise the need to move beyond traditional harm reduction/risk minimisation paradigms and towards affirming and holistic care that promotes sexual well-being, empowerment, and safer sex practices. 8 May 2024. Online. An ASHM login is required.

Essentials of Medical Abortion in WA. Sexual Health Quarters. This workshop is designed for GPs seeking support in navigating WA’s newly implemented abortion laws and aims to build confidence and skills in providing best practice medication abortion care. 9 May 2024. Northbridge, WA.

Sexual Wellness Professional Development Series with Greg Gebhart. Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health. This webinar will cover a range of topics related to sexual wellness with a focus on eSafety within professional practice. 13 May 2024. Online.

Certificate in Sexual and Reproductive Health for Nurses. Sexual Health Quarters. This national certificate is for nurses and midwives wanting to develop detailed knowledge and specialist clinical skills in sexual and reproductive health. At least one-year post-registration experience is necessary for all nurses and midwives enrolling in the course. 14-17 May 2024. Online & In-person. Northbridge, WA.

WA Hepatitis B for Nurses and Midwives. ASHM. This course will provide nursing and midwifery professionals with advanced practical skills and knowledge in hepatitis B nursing across two sessions. 21 & 23 May 2024. Online.

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, identify health pathways in pregnancy, 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.

Syphilis outbreak training. ASHM. Professional development training is 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.  An ASHM login is required.

GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

AIDS 2024 Scholarship Program. ASHM. The ASHM Scholarship Program is open to attend the AIDS 2024 conference, 22-26 July 2024, Munich, Germany. To be eligible, applicants must be an ASHM member, living and working in Australia and be a HIV clinician, nurse or pharmacist. Applications close 12 May 2024. Click here for more information. 

14th Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference & 25th IUSTI World Congress Scholarship Program. ASHM. The ASHM Scholarship Program is open to attend the Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference and the 25th IUSTI World Congress, 16-20 September 2024, Sydney, Australia. To be eligible, applicants must be an ASHM member, living and working in Australia and be a HIV clinician, nurse or pharmacist. Applications close 7 July 2024. Click here for more information.

Scholarships for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander focused workers. Shine SA are offering scholarships to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander focused workers for participation in their courses and professional development programs. Priority for these scholarships will be given to professionals who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples or work in an Aboriginal organisation and have a strong interest in sexual and reproductive health. SHINE SA will cover the full cost of the applicant’s course of choice. Applications close 1 July 2024. Click here for more information.