Hello to all our supporters and readers of the Emerge Australia newsletter!
Welcome to the August 2024 edition of our Emerge Australia newsletter. I don’t know about you, but do you feel the year is just flying by at a really fast pace? At Emerge Australia we certainly do, probably because of the volume of exciting work ahead of us. In other words, so much to do and so little time! Before we know it – the end of the year will be upon us!!
What we do know is winter is very much upon us. It has been very cold and so many people have been unwell with COVID and other winter ills. As you are aware, our team at Emerge Australia was hit hard with COVID, and other issues. This meant our Telehealth services were at severely reduced capacity. We apologise for this, and I am pleased to report we are nearly over the worst. Our dedicated Telehealth team will get back to everyone who has left a message, and we do thank you all for your understanding.
I wish to personally thank every single financial supporter of Emerge Australia for your ongoing support of our work. Everyone rallied to assist prior to 30 June, and we are immensely grateful to you all. We have commenced the new financial year strongly and are poised to deliver on all our priorities this year.
Our agenda is full, and we continue to focus on projects across our strategic priorities of:
- Clinical, patient and allied health education
- Advocacy for changes to health policy (especially NDIS)
- ME/CFS Research
- Patient services, online and through our Telehealth service.
Along with all stakeholders, we will be involved in the NHMRC’s updating of Australia’s outdated clinical guidelines for ME/CFS. This is such a critical time for us all and work will commence shortly.
Recently, as Deputy Chair of the Neurological Alliance of Australia (NAA), I had the privilege to present to the NDIS Standing Committee, addressing issues of those in rural, remote and regional areas. Transcripts of my presentation are available in Hansard for anyone to read. As this area evolves, I will let you know of further progress. Emerge Australia is also represented on a range of other NDIA or NDIS committees.
Our new, First Nations podcast series will be launching very soon. We are excited to produce this new series of inspiring interviews for you to listen to.
Our work in clinical education is ongoing, with webinars and further education delivered by Dr. Richard Schloeffel OAM and our own Kate Herbert, Nurse Educator. We are currently working on a dedicated clinical part of our website. This will house our clinical education as part of our learning management system, that continues to evolve.
We have made a statement on the Federal Government’s response to the Disability Royal Commission Report. Of the 222 recommendations, the Federal Government fully accepted only 13 of the 172 recommendations under its primary or shared responsibility.
I commend the rest of this newsletter to you all and, as always, thank you for your support. I always encourage you to reach out if there is anything I, or our Emerge Australia team, can do to assist you.
Stay warm and take care.
Anne Wilson
