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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Rural allied health mentorship program creates opportunities for students and practice
Melanie Roll, a director and physiotherapist at Gen Health Hamilton, is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of allied health professionals. Gen Health’s support begins with a work experience program for local secondary school students, where they can observe a variety of health services and participate in an annual careers night to explore allied health career pathways.
Upon moving to tertiary education, students are offered placements through a five-week program designed to transition them from observation to supervised practice and ultimately to seeing their own patients. In their final study year, they can apply for the mentorship program, which aids the transition into private practice.
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Pathology technology at a crossroads
The CEO of Pathology Technology Australia, Dean Whiting spoke with Australian Health Journal about the following:
– Pathology Technology Australia’s key priorities in the coming years
– Current local capability in pathology technology compared to other countries
– How the health system supports change and adoption of pathology technology
– How pathology is perceived by the public and in government as well as how developments in pathology technology are followed and understood
– Observations in the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce ReportIn the lead up to the Australian Federal Budget in May 2023, Australian Health Journal reached out to peak health industry bodies to hear about their priorities, either noted in pre-budget submissions lodged with Federal Government in January 2023 or in recent forums such as the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce.
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Smart technology in wound care
Throughout her journey around wound care, Santosh Kaur was frustrated to see the simple gaps in wound care resulting in negative patient outcomes. Santosh is the founder of SmartHeal which launched in 2020.
SmartHeal replaces the nurses taking cumbersome manual measurements and manual sharing of important wound data with a no touch technique. It aims for healthcare professionals to have live remote access to wound data, make wound assessments and assist with speech to text notes thus saving time, cost and people. SmartHeal also aims to assist healthcare professionals in providing optimum wound care by analysing the wound tissue for infection, moisture and providing suggestions for suitable dressing.
