Nurses Step up Activities at AIDS2014

MELBOURNE, Australia - June 25, 2014 - PRLog -- Nurses from around the world have the opportunity to unite at the International AIDS Conference in July this year, with special events to celebrate the important work of nurses in HIV globally.

After an initial welcome reception, nursing activities will take the theme ‘Nurses Stepping Up, Stepping Forward, Stepping Beyond’. The activities are the result of a joint effort between a handful of local and international nursing organisations, including the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM).

The Nursing activities for AIDS2014 include a nursing satellite meeting and an information booth in the Global Village, which is accessible to the general public throughout the conference.

“Nurses make up more than eighty per cent of the global healthcare workforce, so it’s difficult to overestimate the contribution they make to the treatment and management of HIV globally,” said Emily Wheeler of the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM).

The Nursing Satellite will take place between 7 and 8.30am on Wednesday 23 July in Room 104 of the Melbourne Centre and Exhibition Centre.

Five speakers will present their eye-opening experiences in devising and delivering nursing care in various challenging scenarios.

“The presentations demonstrate the need for nurses to address structural barriers, develop cultural competencies, apply technology from patient-centred perspectives, and create approaches that advance health equity in hard-to-reach populations,” said Emily Wheeler.

The Satellite features local, as well as overseas, presenters. Denise Cummins of the Redfern Health Centre in Sydney will talk about her experiences in remote locations across Nepal and how they have taught her valuable lessons about overcoming barriers and challenges in remote settings.

Jason E. Farley, Associate Professor of Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, will present a national South African initiative that is currently expanding access to care through educational, implementation science, and m-health approaches.

Victorian-based Jane Tomnay, Associate Professor of the Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health, will describe the strategies and innovative nurse-led models used in regional Victoria to enhance HIV and sexual health clinical services and primary prevention within the existing rural service system.

Sandra Gregson, from the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, will present the innovative care coordination model that provides HIV management and related services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities in the Melbourne area.

Carole Treston of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care will end the 90-minute session with a brief discussion of how nurses can engage in public health policy and advocacy roles.

Nursing Booth in Global Village

A nursing booth will operate throughout AIDS2014 Conference.

“The nursing booth will be located in the Global Village, so it will be a dynamic meeting point for local nurses, nursing students, and interested people who are not attending the AIDS2014 Conference,” said Emily Wheeler.

“A wide range of HIV nursing information will be available as well as opportunities to meet and talk to key Australian and international nursing leaders.”

All events are hosted by ASHM, ASHHNA (the Australasian Sexual Health and HIV Nurses Association), ANZANAC (HIV Nurses Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Special Interest Group) and ANAC (the American Association of Nurses in AIDS Care).

Interested parties can use the hashtag #aids2014nursing to keep up-to-date with activities.

About ASHM

The Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM) is a peak organisation of health professionals in Australia and New Zealand who work in HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections. ASHM has a Nursing Program that provides specialist educational resources and training, and acts as a policy advocate, for nurses throughout Australia. ASHM convenes standing committees on a range of issues affecting its members including education, HIV treatment, viral hepatitis, international/development issues and professional affairs.