Taking care

Associate Professor Carmen Parter is a proud descendent of the Darumbal and Juru clans of the Birra Gubba Nation of Queensland with South Sea Islander heritage, the Tanna Island of Vanuatu. She has seen it all in her work in Australia’s healthcare system. She has hope that things are improving, and we can make our healthcare system culturally safe. Now, she holds many roles, including Ahpra Board member, co-Founder and Director at the Learning Centre for Systemic Change and Research, was the inaugural Co-chair of the Indigenous Working Group of the World Federation of Public Health Association, a member of the Lowitja Institute member community, and Fellow of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives. But, in this conversation we head back to beginning of her career... If you have questions or feedback about the podcast, email communications@ahpra.gov.au

‘One of the most fundamental things is about trying to understand that a harmed person is a fragile person.' Our first Taking care podcast episode of the year is with international guest Professor Rosalind Searle. Rosalind Searle is a Professor of Human Resource Management and Organisational Psychology at the Adam Smith Business School at the University of Glasgow. She is inaugural director of the EAWOP the (European Association of Work and Organisational Psychology) Impact Incubator. Her research has examined trust in healthcare, specifically the matter of professional misconduct. She has examined in detail proven cases of sexual misconduct and abuse to reveal the moral mindsets that accompany these activities. Speaking with host Susan Biggar, Professor Searle unpacks the areas where trust can be built – and eroded. If you have questions or feedback about the podcast, email communications@ahpra.gov.au

Our focus for this episode is the varied experiences of health practitioners who choose to move to Australia to live and work. Host Susan Biggar joins Dr Rekha Mangalore, General Medicine and Infectious Diseases physician, Dr Renee Kelsall, Chief Medical Officer at Bass Coast Health and Helen Townley, National Director, Policy & Accreditation at Ahpra. They discuss complications of changing countries and continuing your career here, the requirements of ensuring a safe and appropriate workforce. This conversation highlights how important it is to hear firsthand from the experience of people navigating the whole process, including their views on how we can improve it. If you have feedback, a story to share or an idea for a future episode, you can find us at communications@ahpra.gov.au

What’s great about our rural and remote healthcare services and the people who work in them? A lot, and the conversation is just getting started with our two guests Faye McMillan, Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner and Richard Colbran, CEO NSW Rural Doctors Network. Host Tash Miles speaks with Faye and Richard about innovations and workarounds unique to rural and remote healthcare, and where there is opportunity for metropolitan health services to learn from what’s happening in rural/remote settings. Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a rating or review. You can also provide feedback or ideas by emailing us at communications@ahpra.gov.au. Thanks for listening.

As the guests in this latest episode of Taking care stress, the link between our health and access to safe healthcare and the impacts of climate change are undisputable. But what is the path forward? Northern Territory specialist physician, Dr Simon Quilty, Melbourne obstetrician and gynaecologist and a member of Doctors for the Environment, Dr Ying Gu, and Canberra local and Professor of Health Equity and Director of the Menzies Centre for Health Governance at the Australian National University, Professor Sharon Friel, passionately detail their concerns, observations and what they see as the path forward. Join for a discussion that includes the current impacts at a personal and community level and the structural changes needed to address the inequities exacerbates by climate change such as housing inequality. Please recommend, subscribe and rate out podcast! If you have questions or feedback about the podcast, email communications@ahpra.gov.au

In this episode of Taking care, host Tash Miles explores the challenges and joys of remote healthcare with consumer advocate, Carolyn Becker; Rural Doctors Association Australia CEO Peta Rutherford; and Alice Springs Hospital cardiologist Dr Angus Baumann.  In this episode we explore the distribution of healthcare in rural and remote areas, and how these differences affect access for communities. Our guests share examples of the unique partnerships between patients and practitioners in rural and remote communities, as well as the considerations patients and families need to address when accessing care in these areas. Don't forget to subscribe to Taking care, and why not recommend it to a friend or colleague! If you have any questions or feedback, please email communications@ahpra.gov.au.

In this episode of Taking care, we look at the impact on consumers of not being able to access the healthcare they need due to cost considerations. Host Tash Miles is joined by Renate Hughes, consumer advocate; Dr Chris Sanzaro, dentist; and Associate Professor Amanda Neil, health economist from the University of Tasmania’s Menzies Institute for Medical Research. We explore: The taboo of asking about the cost of procedures before agreeing to them, and asking for other options if needed.  The costs associated with living with a disability or other chronic condition with a reliance on healthcare.  Practitioners trying to provide good care when cost is an issue. Other ‘cost factors’ such as travel, time off work and childcare, that might affect a patient’s decisions regarding healthcare. Make sure to subscribe and recommend this podcast to a friend or colleague. If you have feedback or comments, please email us at communications@ahpra.gov.au Useful links from this episode Federal Department of Health Medical Costs Finder: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/medical-costs-finder Medicare Safety Net: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/medicare-safety-nets Couples and families can register for the Medicare safety net: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/ms016 Pharmaceutical Benefits Safety Net: https://www.pbs.gov.au/info/healthpro/explanatory-notes/section1/Section_1_5_Explanatory_Notes Form to register you and family members and record your PBS purchases each time you purchase medications: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/pb240

In this episode, we spotlight the important work being done to facilitate better access to safe care for people experiencing homelessness. Host Tash Miles talks to two GPs working in this space: Dr Ed Poliness is a GP at The Living Room in Victoria, and Dr Andrew Davies is a GP and founder of Homeless Healthcare in WA.

In this episode, we hear two stories of people in LGBTIQA+ communities and their experiences with healthcare. Host Tash Miles talks with clinical neuropsychologist, Board member Victorian Pride Centre, and Commissioner at the Victorian Multicultural Commission Dr Judy Tang and clinical psychologist and Senior Research Fellow Dr Lee Cubis. Judy and Lee share some of their experiences providing healthcare to LGBTQIA+ people, speaking also as members of LGBTQIA+ communities themselves. Together they discuss the changes that are necessary to ensure patient safety and equal access for all, from LGBTIQA+ perspectives. Do you have questions or comments? Email us at communications@ahpra.gov.au. You can also explore our back catalogue, subscribe and review us by searching for ‘Taking care’ in your podcast player.

What does respectful, accessible, person-centred healthcare look like for communities who come from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds? In this episode, host George Hyde speaks with infectious diseases specialist Dr Nadia Chaves, counsellor Tigist Kebede, and lawyer Sahema Saberi. It’s an important conversation about some healthcare experiences of refugees and asylum seekers, the challenges they face and how to create and sustain a multicultural and multilingual medical workforce. Please subscribe to our podcast and leave a rating or review. You can also provide feedback or ideas by emailing us at communications@ahpra.gov.au. Thanks for listening.

In this episode we look at the benefits of greater openness and candour between health practitioners, their patients and patients’ families – especially when things go wrong. Host Tash Miles speaks with Patients for Patient Safety US network founding member Sue Sheridan; UK charity Action Against Medical Accidents CEO Peter Walsh; and Australian health lawyer Michael Gorton, who is a member of the Expert Working Group for Statutory Duty of Candour in Victoria and Chair of the Alfred Hospital. Our guests discuss what could be achieved by encouraging more openness, and how to create environments where it is acceptable to acknowledge shortcomings – and seek and provide answers for patients and their families – so further harm is avoided. Do you have questions or comments? Email us at communications@ahpra.gov.au. You can also explore our back catalogue, subscribe and review us by searching for ‘Taking care’ in your podcast player.

In this episode, we hear two stories of people in LGBTIQA+ communities and their experiences with healthcare. Host Tash Miles talks with Jasper Peach a writer, editor, speaker, health promoter, and Toby Halligan, a comedian, writer, broadcaster. Do you have questions or comments? Email us at communications@ahpra.gov.au. You can also explore our back catalogue, subscribe and review us by searching for ‘Taking care’ in your podcast player.

Today we’re talking about cosmetic surgery, an industry that is rapidly changing and has had some explosive media coverage in recent times – especially through new and increased uses of social media. It’s a timely discussion of what changes are needed to improve patient safety. Host Susan Biggar begins this episode with a real story from Kate, and her good and bad experiences with cosmetic procedures. Then, Susan talks with three consumer advocates. Alan Kirkland is CEO of Choice and he is also on the expert panel for an independent review of cosmetic surgery that is currently open for submissions. Maddison Johnstone and Michael Fraser are consumer advocates and researchers. If you have any comments or questions, please get in touch at communications@ahpra.gov.au

This podcast is a about family violence. If this topic is distressing, or if you are with younger listeners, it may not be for you. If you need support in regard to sexual assault, domestic or family violence you can call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) for 24/7 phone and online services. If you, a child, or another person is in immediate danger, call 000. Family violence is a reality that many people face every day. Host Susan Biggar begins this episode with the first-hand story of a survivor, Emma*, on her pathway out of family violence and her varied experiences with health practitioners on the journey. After telling some of her story, Emma is joined by Professor Kelsey Hegarty, an academic GP who holds the joint Chair in Family Violence Prevention at the University of Melbourne and the Royal Women’s Hospital and Dr Anne Tonkin, Chair of the Medical Board of Australia. Together, the guests talk about the role of practitioners in supporting patients experiencing family violence, what improvements are needed to help more survivors, as well as what happens when a practitioner is a perpetrator. Links and resources · RACGP white book · RACGP family violence toolkit · Safer Families Centre · Safer Families Readiness Program *Not her real name

When it comes to healthcare, what is safe culture? If safe culture exists, then what does unsafe culture look like, and what does this mean for patients and their families? In this episode, Susan Biggar speaks with Andrea Sutcliffe, Chief Executive and Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council in the UK, Martin Fletcher, CEO of Ahpra and Adjunct Professor Debora Picone, CEO of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare. Our three guests share their experiences and opinions, as well as examples of what they see around them. We hear key challenges in creating good working environments in healthcare settings, improvements that are happening right now, and what they want for a safer health workforce across all contexts. Find us on Spotify, Apply Podcasts, or wherever you might find your podcasts by searching for ‘Taking care’ and hitting subscribe. If you have any feedback or ideas for episodes, please get in touch by writing to communications@ahpra.gov.au

When we talk about healthcare, the most important part is the patients. Today’s episode is about what it has been like to be a patient during a pandemic. Tash Miles speaks to Krystal, who has chronic cancer and had jaw surgery this year, Aidan, who has cystic fibrosis, and Tess, who has been a carer and has had other interactions with the healthcare system through the pandemic. We hear about about the changes they’ve seen – what’s been hard, what’s been better and how they have maintained connection with their practitioners and their support networks. Be sure to check out Krystal’s podcast First Time Feelings. Please rate, review and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts – just search for ‘Taking care.’ If you have comments, questions or feedback, email as at communications@ahpra.gov.au.

In this episode, Susan Biggar speaks with Dr Rod Hunt, neonatologist and scientist at Monash Health, Professor Suzette Woodward, Visiting Professor in Patient Safety at Imperial College, London and Michael Greco, CEO of Care Opinion Australia. Susan asks our guests, when it comes to healthcare, what is safe culture? If safe culture exists, then what does unsafe culture look like, and what does this mean for patients and their families? Our three guests share their experiences and opinions, as well as examples of what they see around them. We hear key challenges in creating good working environments in healthcare settings, improvements that are happening right now, and what they want for a safer health workforce across all contexts. Find us on Spotify, Apply Podcasts, or wherever you might find your podcasts by searching for ‘Taking care’ and hitting subscribe. If you have any feedback or ideas for episodes, please get in touch by writing to communications@ahpra.gov.au

For the second part of this series, host Tash Miles talks to a doctor and nurse about what it has been like for them working, and living, through the global COVID-19 pandemic. Both guests live and work in Victoria, a state hit hard with long lockdowns and high case numbers. Join Dr Gavin Wayne, paediatric basic trainee, and Ralph Teodoro, registered nurse, for stories and experiences that stand out to them, personally and professionally, as they share what they’ve learned, what they’ve cherished, and the strange turns their lives are taking. Please subscribe to new episodes on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can rate us on Apple Podcasts, too. And if you have any feedback, please email communications@ahpra.gov.au.

In this episode, host Tash Miles talks to two doctors about some of their experiences over the past two years. From NSW, Dr Charles Jenkinson, cardiothorasic surgeon final year trainee and Chair of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Trainees' Association and from Victoria, Dr Sophie Thorn, junior doctor working in an emergency department. Join for stories and experiences that stand out to them, personally and professionally, as they share what they’ve learned, what they’ve cherished, and the strange turns their lives are taking. Don’t forget to subscribe to new episodes on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can rate us on Apple Podcasts, too. And if you have any feedback, please email communications@ahpra.gov.au.

What does improvement in healthcare look like? It’s critically important for our health system because sustained improvement that tracks with the science and evidence will mean improved patient safety. Our guests are all involved in a unique program called The Healthcare Improvement Fellowship run by Clinical Excellence Queensland. Dr Michael Tresillian is general physician and Program Director for the Healthcare Improvement Fellowship. Sari Holland is a midwife and unit manager at Townsville Hospital and Health Service. She was a 2020 Fellow of the program. Shailendra Maharaj, is a physiotherapist at Queensland Children’s Hospital and a current Fellow. Thank you for listening to Taking Care. Please don’t forget to find us on Spotify, Apply Podcasts, or wherever you prefer to listen to podcasts by searching for ‘Taking care’. You can subscribe, review or just join us on your morning walk as you listen to our hefty back catalogue. If you have any feedback or ideas for episodes, please drop us a line at communications@ahpra.gov.au. We’ll see you next time.