FULLY FUNDED TERTIARY QUALIFICATION LAUNCHES TO ADDRESS PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN SHORTAGE IN AUSTRALIAN-FIRST Tertiary qualification launched by Gidget Foundation and Federation University.
With Arabella Gibson, CEO
Gidget Foundation Australia
SEGMENT
Filmed in North Sydney | January 2025
Demand for perinatal mental health services is continuing to surge year-on-year. In fact, perinatal mental health organisation, Gidget Foundation Australia (GFA), has supported 30% more clients in FY2024 than in FY2023, up by 214% since FY2021.
Perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA) impacts 100,000 Australians each year, equating to one in five mums and one in ten dads, with PNDA costing Australia $877 million annually. To address the nationwide shortage of specialist perinatal mental health clinicians, Gidget Foundation Australia has partnered with Federation University to launch the Graduate Diploma in Perinatal Mental Health.
Australian Health Journal met with Arabella Gibson, CEO Gidget Foundation Australia following the announcement to hear about the Gidget mission and the new initiative to address the perinatal mental health clinician shortage.
The new Graduate Diploma in Perinatal Mental Health creates a unique offering in the industry, providing comprehensive ‘on the job’ training, weekly supervision for clinicians, academic modules and a paid placement opportunity as well as ongoing employment through Gidget Foundation Australia’s face-to-face or telehealth services.
The new partnership, create an Australian-first offering of a fully supported tertiary qualification. Gidget Foundation Australia and Federation University have engaged in the unique co-design and co-delivery of the qualification, with both organisations developing and delivering practical and theoretical course content.
Ms Gibson says the Gidget Foundation, with Federation University, is committed to ensuring robust clinical standards are achieved through providing exceptional education for clinicians working in the perinatal space.
“We’ve seen demand for perinatal depression and anxiety support continue to rise, our clinicians supported 30% more clients in FY2024 than in FY2023. It’s essential we have enough qualified clinicians to meet this growing demand to address the critical needs of the individuals impacted.
“Equity, access, and affordability can be a barrier for allied health professionals to further extend their professional knowledge and skills. The Graduate Diploma in Perinatal Mental Health enables health professionals to upskill in perinatal and infant mental health and creates an accessible pathway to enhance knowledge and experience across the sector; whilst benefitting the health professional, clients, and the wider community.”, says Ms Gibson.
The first cohort of the new Graduate Diploma in Perinatal Mental Health will graduate in July 2025 and applications opened in November 2024 for the February 2025 intake.
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Physiotherapist, exercise physiologist support for management of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is commonly managed medically and typically with treatment. Exercise is also essential in the management of osteoporosis but tends to be under-utilised due to lack of knowledge and unfounded concerns about the risk of injury. In fact, optimal care of people with low bone mass, osteoporosis and/or increased risk of falling can and should include targeted exercise to help prevent osteoporotic fracture.
In early 2024, Healthy Bones Australia released a summary of the principles of osteogenic loading and fall prevention, the translation of those principles into clinical practice, evidence-based recommendations for exercise prescription, and special considerations, along with links to several relevant resources for people with or at risk of osteoporosis, falls and fractures.
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Alfred Hospital leading in pharmacy services for critically unwell patients
Cristina Roman, is the Lead Pharmacist at Alfred Emergency Trauma Centre. In her 12 years working in the Emergency Department, Cristina has established pharmacy services, and filled gaps in patient care with new models of care.
One of those models of care adopted by the US and other countries, is involving pharmacists for critically unwell patients that present to the emergency department.
Australian Health Journal spoke with Cristina Roman and Lisa Bremner, Advanced Training Resident Pharmacist at Alfred Hospital Emergency Trauma Centre.
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Medicinal cannabis in Australia Update
According to the Australian Journal of General Practice, published by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, more than 130,000 medicinal cannabis approvals have been issued in Australia to date, mostly by general practitioners, with approximately 65% of these to treat chronic non-cancer pain. Despite robust supportive data from animal models, current clinical trial evidence for THC and CBD efficacy in chronic pain is incomplete. In their prescribing decisions, doctors must balance patient demand and curiosity with caution regarding potential risks and limited efficacy.
Australian Health Journal met with 3 speakers at the recent ARCS22 Conference providing an update on medicinal cannabis. The discussion with the speakers now centres on affordability and access.
