Working with the NT Government

GHANT’s involvement with the Department of Health and Families is broad. GHANT’s views have been sought on a wide variety of the Department’s policy and business plans. These include:

Building Healthier Communities - a framework for health and community services 2004–2009 and subsequent departmental business plans.
http://www.nt.gov.au/health/building_healthier_communities.shtml

Getting Serious About Aboriginal Health and Families - Systems and Service. A Five-Year Action Plan’; and The Urban Community Care Review

GHANT is working with the Department of Education, Employment and Training’s Health Promoting Schools Unit on an ‘Administration of Medications to Students With Medical Conditions’ policy and is piloting a program linking health curriculum to the NT Curriculum Framework, making all health curriculum and links accessible electronically.

Working with non government organisations and peak bodies

As a member of the Peaks Review Reference Group GHANT has worked closely with NT peaks, alliances and individual NGO’s and with the Department of the Chief Minister to devise a Charter and better way of working with and funding by the whole of government.

Public Health Resource and Education Direction (PHRED)

Independently, the Preventable Chronic Disease program (PCD) at the Northern Territory (NT) Department of Health and Families (DHF), and the Good Health Alliance NT (GHANT) identified a requirement to describe current chronic disease service activities.

GHANT has noted an increased number of services being provided by a range of non-government organisations (NGOs); and is concerned to reduce and prevent overlaps, as well as ensure that gaps in services are identified. PCD program staff would like information on current service activities by all relevant service providers across the NT to be able to work more effectively with community organisations to plan and deliver services. It is envisaged that local communities may access the database to help identify best practice and providers.

For a full project plan please email ceo@healthylivingnt.org.au

The Turning Tide: Action Improvements in Chronic Disease.

The 8th Annual Conference of the Chronic Diseases Network NT in collaboration with the Good Health Alliance NT. September 23 and 24 2004, Darwin.

Across Australasia, chronic disease programs are making a difference in the battle against deadly and debilitating chronic diseases such as renal disease, diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease.

This conference aimed to inspire and motivate people by showcasing some of the best programs in the NT and around Australasia - programs that are using bold, creative, and highly effective strategies to prevent and control chronic diseases and to help people of all ages lead healthy, productive lives.

Abstracts and papers from the conference may be found at http://www.nt.gov.au/health/cdc/preventable/conference.shtml

Mission

To reduce the impact of chronic diseases on the Northern Territory population through active collaboration, encouragement of prevention, advocacy and formation of strategic alliances.

Aim

To work together in the prevention and management of chronic diseases through:

a) collaborative promotion of common health messages

b) advocacy for strategic and committed long term investment to Government and Health service providers

c) the establishment of strategic alliances, partnerships or projects

d) sectoral representation of non government chronic disease organisations to Government.

Membership

The current members of the GHANT are:

• Healthy Living NT
• National Heart Foundation – NT Division
• Asthma Foundation of the NT Inc
• Arthritis and Osteoporosis NT
• Kidney Health Australia
• Cancer Council of the NT
• National Stroke Foundation