Melbourne - après ICN congress...

Final day in Melbourne and I attended the open day hosted by the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Deakin University. The venue was the university's very plush premises in central Melbourne, shared with Deloitte.

We had presentations from researchers relating to, for example, the work of the strategic research Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research (QPS) and research projects on diabetes, exercise in renal patents, emergency care and oncology.

These last few days I have been made aware of a wide range of views relating to appropriate engagement with the Aborigine people.   It is recognised that the Australian indigenous peoples were treated appallingly in the past and continue to experience discrimination and worse health outcomes than the majority population. It was suggested that welfare initiatives may be more harmful than helpful.

Deakin University staff talked of the nurse education programme they run specifically for Aborigine students. They said that it has taken a long time to develop trust with their communities but they can now celebrate some success as students graduate from the programme. The importance of working with community elders to support the programme and student professional development was also discussed. There has, it seems, to be some negotiation to reconcile cultural values and practices with those of the health professions.

My time in Melbourne has been very rewarding with two great conferences and many opportunities to talk and work with colleagues from other countries. It was also extremely interesting to learn something of the diverse culture of Australia and to experience the natural beauty of the region....not to mention the local wine and cuisine :-)

I am particularly grateful to Megan-Jane Johnstone and her colleagues at Deakin for hosting the very successful ICNE conference and the open day today. I look forward to future collaboration..

Tomorrow I am leaving for Sydney and then to New Zealand early next week. Another update then. And I also need to tell you the outcome of the Freeda Hayes case....

Have a great weekend.