The Royal Australasian College of Physicians

The healthcare system and hospitals have been under stress for some time, with poor or inconsistent physical, biological, chemical, psychosocial and ergonomic hazards addressed. These sources of work, health and safety (WHS) strain the health and wellbeing of #healthcareworkers. This #NationalSafeWorkMonth we support improving the health of healthcare workers to help improve patient safety. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the safety of healthcare workers directly impacts the safety of patients as physically and psychologically well healthcare workers are less prone to make errors. The WHO Charter: health worker safety states that we need to protect healthcare workers from violence in the workplace; improve mental health and psychological wellbeing of healthcare workers and protect healthcare workers from physical and biological hazards. The RACP supports a prevention-based approach to risk management in healthcare organisations. https://lnkd.in/gqfvPN8m WHO CHARTER: https://lnkd.in/gAs-zcKE Safe Work Australia

It's been a busy year for our partners at The Obesity Collective, who have released several resources to help with supporting and management of patients living with obesity. The new educational resource 'What are GLP-1 medicines and how are they used for weight management?' provides an overview of GLP-1 medicines and their role in weight management. Check out this infographic for more information: https://lnkd.in/gXsaCHDb The eLearning module ‘Understanding the Science and Reality of Obesity for Better Patient Care’ developed by The Obesity Collective has been endorsed by the The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). This module aims to share information about the science of obesity, personal experiences of patients and healthcare professionals and tips for best practice. This module has also been included as a course requirement in some undergraduate health professional training programs. ACCESS THE eLEARNING MODULE: https://lnkd.in/gt9EZsic The Obesity Collective's stigma research team have published an article 'Supporting healthcare professionals to reduce weight stigma' in the Australian Journal of General Practice. This article presents the insights from a workshop including researchers, community members, healthcare professionals and policy makers. The workshop aimed to develop guidance for reducing weight stigma in healthcare and the article presents the reflections and recommendations for addressing weight stigma in healthcare from the workshop. READ ARTICLE: https://lnkd.in/gJGiDPpJ

We are proud to celebrate Children’s Week 2024 this week. We honour this year’s theme based on Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Article 24 recognises every child’s right to the highest attainable standard of health. https://lnkd.in/gRaAVt-5 ) Prioritising our children has never been more important. During this year’s #ChildrensWeek, our RACP paediatricians reaffirm our commitment to providing the best care and support for every child. Refer to our Child Health Advocacy Strategy for more information. Join us in calling for governments to invest in securing the health of every child https://lnkd.in/gTScvzsA #ChildHealth #ChildWellbeing #Paediatricians #HealthyKids

Together with Public Health Australia, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases and Climate and Health Alliance, we are calling for the Australian Government to urgently commit funds to establish a permanent Australian Centre for Disease Control (Australian CDC). The Government’s election promise to create the organisation is now more pressing than ever. “The burden of preventable disease in our country is driven by modifiable factors such as tobacco use and vaping, unhealthy working and living environments, obesity and diabetes, underpinned by commercial determinants of health" says RACP President, Professor Jennifer Martin. https://lnkd.in/gdyit8Bv

Psychosocial workplace hazards can be high cost however, they can be managed. For the RACP, the #health and #wellbeing of workers is a priority. Our physicians advocate in #NationalSafeWorkMonth that workers have access to appropriate, timely, high-quality care. We are experts in identifying and managing psychosocial hazards. Psychosocial workplace hazards can be high cost however, they can be managed. Our physicians advocate in #NationalSafeWorkMonth that workers have access to appropriate, timely, high-quality care. https://lnkd.in/g_axSHZE Safe Work Australia

💬 “The heat itself looks to be doing something to increase people’s distress and that is supported by other literature.” A new UNSW study has linked hot weather to an increase in suicidal thoughts and behaviours among young Australians, prompting calls for an overhaul of public health approaches to higher temperatures. The study expands on previous research showing increases in adult and overall mental health presentations to emergency departments as temperatures rise. This is the first study to examine presentations among youth in NSW. Lead author of the study Dr Cybele Dey noted that “this is not about concern about climate change affecting the mental health of young people, this is about hot weather itself affecting them”. Read more 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gmHgYUG6

AS NATIONAL COVID INQUIRY WRAPS UP, EXPERTS CALL FOR ACTION ON CENTRE FOR DISEASE CONTROL, AND AIR QUALITY IN SCHOOLS Our joint statement calling for the Australian Government to fully-fund and establish a permanent Australian Centre for Disease Control has been acknowledged in an article by Croakey Health Media. The joint statement was published in partnership with Public Health Australia, Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases and the Climate and Health Alliance. READ NOW: https://lnkd.in/gBpBsdqc 'Leading health and medical organisations have urged the Federal Government to act swiftly in cementing the future of the Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC), calling for funding to be announced by the end of the year and before the federal election is called' says Croakey Health Media. RACP President, Professor Jennifer Martin, said the CDC must also focus on chronic disease prevention. “The burden of preventable disease in our country is driven by modifiable factors such as tobacco use and vaping, unhealthy working and living environments, obesity and diabetes, underpinned by commercial determinants of health." READ ARTICLE: https://lnkd.in/ePVXgycW #AustralianCentreforDiseaseControl #AustralianCDC #diseasecontrol #covid #covid19 #pandemic #healthcrisis #airquality Anthony Albanese Australian Government Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

Happy Children’s Week 2024. We are celebrating the potential of every child and are dedicated to nurturing children’s health and wellbeing. We want to ensure every child is supported to grow up happy and healthy. This #ChildrensWeek, the RACP calls upon all governments to invest in children’s health and wellbeing throughout their life course. We reiterate our call for the Australian Government to appoint a National Chief Paediatrician so that children’s health and wellbeing is prioritised at the highest levels of decision-making. See our Kids Catch Up campaign for more https://lnkd.in/gvwMiE8f Let’s support and invest in our children today and every day! #HealthyKids #Paediatrics #ChildHealth #ChildWellbeing

ANOTHER INCREDIBLE NT ASM HAS COME TO AN END On 11 and 12 October we held the RACP Northern Territory Annual Scientific Meeting (NT ASM) at the Darwin Convention Centre. Thank you to all our attendees, as well as speakers, sponsors and conveners who contributed to making this event a valuable experience for all. Some of the highlights included the clinical updates, the wisdom around the campfire dinner cruise and discussion, practical workshops, the NT Trainee Research Awards (winners Dr Joanne Nixon and Dr Nadia Hasan, pictured) and of course, the networking. If you missed out on joining us this year, we’re excited to share that we will be holding the NT ASM in Darwin in October 2025, so pencil it in your calendar. Thank you to our sponsors for helping make this event possible Charles Darwin University, Clarius Mobile Health, Medical Indemnity Protection Society Ltd (MIPS) and William Buck.

The Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine physicians have been leading the call to improve health and recovery outcomes, as well as reducing barriers to care, when it comes to work injuries. Psychosocial factors are barriers to return to work and our physicians help to address these barriers. This #NationalSafeWorkMonth read more on our webpage for evidence regarding psychosocial factors as barriers to return to work and the evidence about how these barriers can be addressed. IT PAYS TO CARE: https://lnkd.in/g_axSHZE INFO: https://lnkd.in/g-uNMHb7 Safe Work Australia