join now

RSA eNews - CommuniquePlus January 2021

 
    
CommuniquéPlus

Message from the President

 

Kia Ora everyone, and Happy New Year! 

I hope you and your family and friends have enjoyed a restful Christmas and New Year season and are now looking forward to what 2021 might bring.

This time of year is traditionally a quieter spell, where many of us take the time to stop and hit pause and enjoy the summer days – here at the RSA we are starting to look ahead at all the good things the year will bring to our members! 

We are already planning a calendar of learning opportunities delivered in a variety of ways across different types of platforms – our passionate RSA Conference Committee has had its first meeting of the year and is excited to be pulling together this year’s conference, scheduled for Melbourne in June.  I encourage you to keep an eye out for more information regarding the conference, this year will be the first ever hybrid RSA event being presented in person and virtually at the same time.

RSA Melbourne 2021 will be novel in many ways, and after the gap in our face-to-face educational calendar last year for obvious reasons, we are very much looking forward to bringing RSA members together for a high-quality event around the theme "Renal Care Beyond a Crisis: Possibilities and Future Directions"

I am also very pleased to advise CommuniquePlus readers that the RSA 2021 Annual Conference has been listed on the Schedule of Approved Business Events on Austrade's Website.  More information regarding this listing is available here.

In addition to the annual conference, we also have a range of webinars and online workshops coming up to interest you and keep you updated with all things renal in 2021, many available to you from the comfort of your own home!  Check out the RSA website to see what’s coming up.

And until next time, enjoy these warm days of summer…

Jon Hosking
President

Read in browser...

 


         The Renal Society of Australasia supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart

 

Latest News  news-icon.png

ANZSN, RSA & KHA Joint Position Statement - COVID-19 Vaccination

The Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology, Renal Society of Australasia and Kidney Health Australia recently issued a joint Position Statement entitled "Priorities for COVID-19 vaccination in adult and paediatric patients with kidney disease and health care workers" to Professor Brendan Murphy, Secretary, Department of Health and The Hon. Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health.  The Position Statement was also forwarded to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) for consideration along with the Health Ministers at a State and Territory level.

The Position Statement was developed in recognition of the risk of exposure and consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection being particularly high for patients receiving regular dialysis, those with kidney transplants, patients with chronic kidney disease and those health care workers who care for them.

It is hoped that the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments adopt and implement the recommended vaccination priority groups.

The complete Statement is available here...

2021 RSA Events events-icon.png

RSA 2021 Annual Conference Goes Hybrid!

For the first time the 2021 RSA Annual Conference will be moving to a hybrid event format, offering an in-person conference experience or a virtual connection.

For those of you who would prefer in-person networking and learning, exploring the exhibition space, catching up with colleagues, the opportunity to chat to presenters and the conference vibe, you can still attend in-person. 

For those of you who are unable to travel, or prefer to learn from the comfort of your home, you can still virtually attend sessions and connect with your peers. 

New for 2021, the recordings for the sessions and workshops (except for the Vascular Access workshop) will be available on-demand to all registration types until 16 August 2021. This means, when you return home after the conference you can watch any sessions you have missed or want to catch up on. You can also attend in person the workshop of greatest interest and catch up on the other workshops in your own time. On-demand access will be available to full registrations (both in person and online) and day registrations for your registered day.

Program & Abstracts - Latest News!

The program features renowned speakers presenting on a range of topics. Knowledge is advanced only when it is shared. In this regard, we encourage you to submit an oral or poster presentation. Abstract submissions are now open and will close Thursday, 4 March 2021. 

Registration NOW OPEN...

Program Overview NOW AVAILABLE...

Abstract Submissions NOW OPEN...

 

RSA 2021 Annual Conference Received Austrade Approval 

The RSA 2021 Annual Conference has been listed on the Schedule of Approved Business Events on Austrade’s website. 

This means eligible businesses can apply for funding under the Business Events Grants Program to cover up to 50% of the costs of participating in the RSA 2021 Annual Conference. 

Grants from $10,000 to $250,000 per entity are available. Applicants are able to apply for multiple events listed on the Schedule of Approved Business Events. 

Grant applications close at 5pm (AEDST) on 30 March 2021 or earlier if funding is exhausted.  

For further information or to apply please go to business.gov.au.

 

RSA Calendar of Events - February 2021

Webinar: Ultrasound Guided Cannulation of Arteriovenous Access and Haemodialysis Catheter Care

Date:  11 February 2021
Duration:  5.30pm - 7.00pm (AEDT)

Presenters:  Amy Swinbank & Sally Turner  
Co-Hosts | Q&A Facilitators:  Martine Grant & Sally Turner

Learning Objectives:

  • Gain knowledge of ultrasound use to assess vascular access for suitable cannulation sites or concerns prior to cannulation.
  • Utilise ultrasound to guide cannulation of dialysis vascular access in real time.
  • Interpret ultrasound images to identify potential complications from cannulation, mis cannulation or needle dislodgement.
  • Case presentation Q & A

Registation Fee:
RSA Members - FREE of Charge 
Non-Members - AU$27.50

Not a RSA member?  Not a problem.  Join now!

CPD:  1.5 hours

RSA wish to thank our corporate sponsor for their generosity in supporting this event:

 

Webinar: Patient Activation - Is this a New Approach to Increasing Self-Management? 

Date:  23 February 2021
Duration:  6.30pm - 7.30pm (AEDT)

Presenters:  Associate Professor Paul Bennett & Dr Edward Zimbudzi  

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand how patient activation is utilised in the context of kidney disease.
  • Describe the role of patient activation in enhancing self-management among those with kidney disease.
  • Discuss the relationship between patient activation and other key clinical and patient reported outcomes among those with kidney disease.

Registation Fee:
RSA Members - FREE of Charge 
Non-Members - AU$15.00

Not a RSA member?  Not a problem.  Join now!

CPD:  1 hour

RSA wish to thank our corporate sponsor for their generosity in supporting this event:

 

RSA Calendar of Events - Available here

 
Key Stakeholder Partner Updates member-icon.png

Latest News

Kidney Health New Zealand (KHNZ) is moving into the new year with an exciting plan to hold Kidney Health Month in March 2021 incorporating the international focus of World Kidney Day.

KHNZ are hoping that they can generate more momentum with a longer program than just World Kidney Day, by coordinating existing and planned events.

2021 Exciting Events:  

  • World Kidney day and promotions throughout New Zealand run by DHB staff, Kidney Health NZ staff, support groups, nursing students and volunteers
  • "While I still can" South Island fundraising event - A 2 week scooter challenge and fundraiser event from the top to the bottom of the South Island
  • Launch Kidney Experience Stories
  • Launch Kidney Health Ambassadors on an ongoing basis after the month of March

It sounds like an incredibly exciting and important year ahead for the KHNZ team!   

New Zealand CommuniquePlus readers are asked to keep an eye out for opportunitites to support these wonderful initiatives. 

 

Latest Update

Kidney Health Week: will be celebrated in Australia from Monday, 15 March to Sunday, 21 March focusing on the importance of early detection. It is hoped that renal units can get involved and run their own awareness raising activities. Kidney Health Australia aim to have promotional collateral packs ready for distribution late February. In the current environment, the primary promotion will be via digital channels and we’ll share more detail on how you can support in the next issue of CommuniquePlus and on the Kidney Health Australia website.

 

The Victorian Big Red Kidney Bus is BACK!   Kidney Health Australia is excited to announce that its free holiday mobile dialysis bus service is back on the road in Victoria. The Big Red Kidney Bus is well loved by the kidney community allowing people on haemodialysis to have a special holiday away with loved ones in beautiful scenic locations around the state. The bus is staffed by highly experienced dialysis nurses generously provided by Vic bus partner, Monash Health. 

To learn more about the Bus, visit the Kidney Health Australia website.

 

Kidney Health Australia is hiring!    Do you have renal experience and are seeking a new challenge? Keen to play a critical role in improving the quality of life of people with kidney disease? Then the Kidney Health Information Officer role could be for you!

About the role:  
Reporting to the Community and Engagement Services Manager, Kidney Health Australia are looking for an experienced renal health professional to work Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in this part-time, fixed-term role.

The Kidney Health Australia Helpline is the first port of call for many people living with or affected by kidney disease and their family members and carers. The Kidney Helpline provides critical information and support to enquirers, at a time when it’s most needed.

Learn more and apply at the Kidney Health Australia website

 

Please take a moment....   Please read the advertisement below from Philips another wonderful RSA industry supporter.

 

 
Education/NEN education-icon.png

Refreshed WCEA 24-7 Online Learning Platform

Yes WCEA has had a facelift!  Not only does the package look fresh and inviting, it remains FREE to RSA members and is accessible via your mobile phone, laptop, ipad or desktop. at the new mobile friendly WCEA platform.

How do you access the site?   WCEA have emailed access instructions directly to all RSA members.   If you have any questions or haven't received an email with your login details, contact membership@renalsociety.org.  

Please note:  Access for new RSA members is activated within the first week of the month after they joined.  

Latest WCEA educational material uploads include:

  • January Journal Club: "Laughter yoga in haemodialysis: one unit’s experience" 

If you have an education topic suggestion and would like to volunteer to present a webinar or other format on this topic, then we want to hear from you!   Please contact the office and tell us about your suggestion.

Warm regards

Debbie Fortnum
RSA Co-Vice President Education/Member Engagement

 

WCEA - FREE ACCESS TO RSA MEMBERS

 

CARI Guidelines Update

The new CARI website is available here.

 

EDTNA/ERCA Update

After many years of dedication and unwavering support Lynn Brown has decided that it is time for something of a tree change; she is moving back to her beloved WA and resigning from her role of EDTNA/ERCA Brand Ambassador for Australia and New Zealand.

While this wont be happening until April, our sincere thanks and best wishes go out to Lynn and her family.

This now means that there is an opportunity for an RSA member to volunteer to step into the very large shoes being left behind by Lynn.   The position description and call for expressions of interest will be included in the next issue of CommuniquePlus.

In the interim, please feel free to get in touch with Lynn should you wish to discuss this exciting opportunity with her.

 
RSA Journal news-icon.png

Latest News

RSAJ - Open Access

As most of you would know, the RSAJ and the publications within are restricted to RSA member viewing or a fee to view such as via a University subscription or a single user payment. Which is just as it should be as your target audience for your research is likely to be the membership of the RSA.

However, at times, you might feel that the message in your research publication would be of interest to a wider audience, and for this reason, the RSAJ has introduced an ‘open access’ option when you submit your manuscript. If you choose this option there is a fee attached, but this will then make your publication ‘free’ to view to a much wider audience, attracting more interest, and more citations, boosting your profile. For many this will feel unnecessary which is fine if your target audience is the RSA members. You can choose not to select the open access option when you submit to the journal and it will still be free for you to publish. If you do want a wider audience, you can select the open access option and you will be invoiced when your manuscript is accepted. With regard to who pays the invoice, whilst you will be responsible, most grant funders now allow the publication costs for open access to be paid from the grant funds themselves. And many organisations have internal funding arrangements for open access publication – check with your Head of School if you are employed at a University, or Head of Unit if employed in a health service.

As always, you can contact the Editor-In-Chief if you have any queries regarding publishing with the RSAJ. We look forward to receiving more of the really good work that our members submit to the journal.

RSAJ Website...

 

November 2020 issue now available online - RSA members only

RSA Journal - Another RSA Member Benefit

 
Member Opportunities member-icon.png

RSA International Conference Funding - 2021

After much discussion, the RSA Board have decided not to offer International Conference Funding for 2021.   This decision was based on the effect COVID-19 has had on international travel, face-to-face international conferences and the RSA’s concern for members health and wellbeing.   Instead, 2021 funding will be rolled into 2022.

 

Roxadustat submitted to the PBAC for evaluation & NOW Open for Your Comments until 10 February 2021

AstraZeneca is pleased to advise CommuniquePlus readers that it has recently lodged a PBAC submission requesting PBS listing of roxadustat (Evrenzo®) for treatment in patients with anaemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This submission will be considered by the PBAC at the March 2021 meeting.

Consumer Comments will be open until 10 February 2021 and is the current mechanism by which health professionals such as CommuniquePlus readers, patients, carers, members of the public, and/or members of a consumer interest group can share their insight/experience with anaemia of CKD. 

Comment here...

 

Are you a Renal Clinician working in the area of Chronic Kidney Disease?

We want to know your thoughts on the Assessment and Management of Dyspnoea in CKD
Please complete the short survey (approximately 15 mins).

The study conforms to the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and the Australian Privacy Act and has been approved by the University of South Australia's Human Research Ethics Committee (Application ID: 202370)

Survery link...

 

Positions Vacant

The following position is currently vacant:

Kidney Health Information Officer - Kidney Health Australia.  Applications close 5 February 2021

Latest Vacancies listing...

 

Genitourinary Cancer Research Review Issue 6

Available here...

 

Nephrology Research Review Issue 47

Available here...

 

Global Trials Summit 2021 - A virtual event

CommuniquePlus readers are invited to participate in the 2021 Global Trials Summit.  

More Information...

 

Next Issue - RSA CommuniquePlus

The next issue of the RSA CommuniquePlus is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, 16 February 2021.

Please submit your contrubiton to execofficer@renalsociety.org prior to close of business on Monday, 1 February 2021.   All queries should be addressed to execofficer@renalsociety.org

Stay Connected with the RSA   
logo-footer.png

Advancing the care of people with kidney disease


© Renal Society of Australasia 2019

View Online | Unsubscribe