NCAHA Hubs occur the last Tuesday of every month with the purpose of supporting regional allied health professionals to network and address issues relevant to their business.

Join us on Tue 27 April as we discuss Psychological Distress: Approaches to support the wellbeing of health workers.

Profiles:

About Beth Fuller:

Beth has worked across the North and Mid North Coast and in the Hunter and Sydney, largely in the public system. As well as physiotherapy positions (generalist, disability & aged care sectors) Beth has held positions in public health and behavioural medicine. Her somewhat eclectic mix of qualifications (PhD, MPH, Grad Dip Phys & BSc) have given a framework for research and teaching. Beth enjoys collaborating with others, preferring a strengths-based approach that builds resilience and helps people navigate through the various systems in which people live and work.

After many decades focused on injury prevention Beth is now motivated by the transfer of knowledge and how to position at key life stage transition points to consider mental health, well-being, resilience and connection to community.

Beth is currently on the APA National Group on Mental Health and Chair the APA NSW Mental Health Group. Locally the mix of advocacy roles with the MNC LHD gives a platform to look at systemic issues. These days Beth's input is as a volunteer and she is an active member of several groups including Mental Health, Falls Prevention and provides a voice on the Consumer Reference Group and the Complex Care Committee.

Beth has enjoyed meeting up with the NCAHA and welcomes the interdisciplinary collective voice.

Beth's ‘re-bound’ to Kempsey 5 years ago has allowed her to be near her parents as they are healthily-ageing. Beth is currently up-skilling with some DIY and garden projects (disappearing into the Bunnings-vortex) and learning croquet!

About Ryan McGrath:

Ryan L. McGrath is an early-career research completing a PhD at Charles Sturt University exploring physiotherapy encounters with clients experiencing psychological distress. Ryan also works clinically with clients who are refugees, with a significant number of his clients being survivors of torture. Last year Ryan published a paper on the experiences of physiotherapists with clients experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Ryan hopes that his research will help physiotherapists and other ‘physical’ health professionals become more active in the area of mental health. Ryan also hopes to contribute to the growing body of research which challenges the mind-body dichotomy that exists in healthcare today.

About Ellen McMaster:

Ellen is a Rural Generalist Physiotherapist whose areas of interest and upskilling over 30 years of rural practice includes MSK, sports, Cardiorespiratory, Women’s Health, chronic disease management, Aged care, leadership and Psychology and business management. An active member of her local rural community with gradually broadening interests in health policy and rural health advocacy, Ellen is committed to making a difference in rural health.

Ellen is a health consumer, a carer and a health professional. She has experienced the effects of prolonged drought, financial hardship, adversity and has seen the shortcomings of the rural health system that impacts whole communities. Ellen has firsthand insight to service gaps, recruitment and retention challenges and many of the issues in rural health. Her experience extends across the public and private sectors. Ellen also understands the importance of these small towns, their industry, the sense of belonging, the love of country and the rich rewards of the rural lifestyle.

Ellen has experienced extreme professional isolation and understands the value of professional support, interprofessional practice, the public health system, public-private partnerships and the use of technology to improve access and connection. The isolation many experienced for the first time during COVID is the “norm” for remote communities. COVID has opened doors for rural Australia.

Ellen's key areas of interest in 2021 include: Professional networking, the application of Virtual Care and Technology, rural health research and leading innovative service developments.

Current roles include: Physiotherapy Advisor for the local health district in western NSW, Rural Generalist Senior Physiotherapist (pilot in NSW), Virtual Physiotherapy Service lead (trial 2020-2021), APA Rural Advisory Committee chair (2021).

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This is an ONLINE event and the Zoom link will be sent to you upon registration.

NCAHA Monthly Hub - Tue 27 April I 6.00 - 7.00pm