Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt MP - Allied Health Meeting

The invitation to meet with Minister Greg Hunt as part of the AHPA Collaborative was extended to the CEOs of its Member Organisations. The discussion with Minister Hunt was around key issues for allied health, not for specific professions. It was a productive meeting in which he outlined his vision for allied health, explored the role of a Chief Allied Health Officer, acknowledged that there were gaps in workforce and planning data and recognised that with respect to PHN’s and commissioning that there were significant gaps in allied health. He was open to further submissions from AHPA which was very positive. You can read more about AHPA’s role in 10 year primary health plan here 

The meeting with Minister Hunt was followed by the Primary Health Reform Roundtable for allied health, hosted by the Department of Health. It was designed to highlight significant areas of concern and to put a series of recommendations to Minister Hunt at the completion of the meeting. It was pleasing to note that amongst many welcome recommendations, there was strong support for consideration of self-regulated professions such as orthoptics.

Allied Health Colleagues with Federal Health Minister Hon Greg Hunt MP

The OA 2019 Patricia Lance Lecture delivered by Dr Myra McGuinness has been recorded for the benefit of OA members. This is an excellent presentation on how evidence-based practice empowers orthoptists and how striving for best practice benefits everyone. Access the recording via the OA online education portal, FREE for OA members.

Are you an orthoptist working in rural or regional Australia?

OA has extended the Victorian regional and rural special interest group (SIG) to include orthoptists located anywhere in Australia, who have a special interest in rural and regional eye health care. This is a private group for OA to disseminate information relevant to rural health and is for you to network, communicate and share ideas. Join up here 

Zoran Georgievski (ZG) International Travel Grant

We are pleased to announce that the ZG travel grant originally awarded to Victorian orthoptists only, has been extended to include orthoptists nationally. The grant is intended to support an orthoptist to attend and present at the International Orthoptic Congress (IOC) held every four years. The value of the International Travel Grant is AUD $2,000.

If you are presenting at the IOC in Liverpool in June 2020 you may be eligible.

For further information on eligibility and how to apply visit the Orthoptics Australia website.

Melbourne Launch of ‘Rear Vision' – Celebrating Australia’s Early Orthoptists’ at Alexandra Club, Melbourne. 

Orthoptics Australia warmly invites you to attend the Melbourne event on Friday, 8 May from 10am at the Alexandra Club.

We are pleased to announce Dr Kay Patterson AO, Age Discrimination Commissioner as the invited speaker.

More information and registration available here.

WLA Scholarships of up to $5,000 Available for Current and Aspiring Female Leaders

Scholarships of $2,000 to $5,000 are currently available to women working in the health care sector to help support their participation in a range of career building leadership development programs. The scholarships assist with participation in one of three flagship development programs. 

Expressions of Interest 

Find out more and register your interest by completing the Expression of Interest form available here, prior to Friday, 20 March 2020.

Coronavirus – What Optometrists Need To Know

Optometrists are being urged to take proactive steps to prevent the spread of Coronavirus by routinely asking all patients before their appointment and again on arrival at the practice if they have returned from China in the past two weeks.

Read more...

eNewsletter Contributions

Do you have an idea or a story for including in the OA member eNewsletter? Please forward content, links and any graphics to office@orthoptics.org.au.