Special interest groups (SIGs)

Current SIGs

Upcoming SIG Events

Sustainability SIG July meeting

Date and time: Tuesday 8 July at 2:00pm (AEST)

Online via Zoom for members only.

We warmly invite ACIPC members to join us for the inaugural ACIPC Sustainability SIG meeting.

This meeting will explore the topic “Sustainable Health: Aligning Infection Prevention with Net Zero Goals in NSW.”

NSW Health has committed to reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050, in line with the Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023. From November 2024 to June 2027, multidisciplinary teams (‘Net Zero Hubs’) within key clinical areas—such as surgery, ICU, paediatrics, and infection prevention—are leading decarbonisation efforts.

While the primary focus of NSW’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) framework is to minimise healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), it also incorporates sustainability criteria. These include mandatory IPC governance, participation in Net Zero Hubs, adoption of sustainable clinical practices, and support for local sustainability champions.

NSW Health is embedding environmental sustainability into both clinical and corporate functions, with IPC now explicitly aligned with waste minimisation, resource stewardship, and broader decarbonisation goals across the health system.

Speaker:

Dr Susan Jain, MIPH PhD CICP Expert (CIPC-E)

Principle Advisor, Research Lead Infection Prevention and Control | HAI Program, Clinical Excellence Commission

Conjoint Academic, University of New South Wales.

Register for the July meeting here: Sustainability SIG

For more information, please visit the Sustainability page on the ACIPC website: https://www.acipc.org.au/sustainability

Contact SIG Convenor: Karen McKenna, Infection Prevention and Control Consultant, Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control
karen.mckenna@acipc.org.au

SA SIG July meeting

Date: Thursday 10 July 2025

Time: Pre-meeting drinks and networking from 5.30 – 6:00PM. Lecture from 6:00 – 7:00 PM (ACST).

Venue: Royal Adelaide Hospital, Level 8D Lecture Theatre, 1 Port Road Adelaide.

Topic: Culture change and Mentorship 

• Emotional intelligence and can we use this for culture change?
• How can you be a mentor? Why do we need mentors?

Speakers: 
Nicole Vause – Nursing Clinical Practice Director Infection Prevention & Control,
Safety and Quality |Clinical System Support & Improvement, Department for Health & Wellbeing, SA Health
Leanne Coulson – South Australian Ambulance Service- IPC Coordinator

This a free event open to South Australian members and non-members.

The meeting will be offered in person and online via Microsoft Teams. We would like to encourage as many people as possible to attend in person.

To register for the July meeting, please complete the form in the link here: SA SIG

Contact SIG Convenor: Marija Juraja, Nurse Unit Manager – CALHN Infection Prevention & Control Unit, marija.juraja@sa.gov.au

Questions

Please email the office, office@acipc.org.au, if you have any questions about establishing or joining a SIG

Purpose of a SIG

The purpose of a Special Interest Group (SIG) is to provide a network for members with a particular interest to develop their professional skills, exchange views and information, and to guide the career aspirations of junior members.

The ACIPC Membership Engagement Committee (MEC), under the delegation of the board, will consider if the proposed SIG contributes to the purpose, strategic goals, and objectives of the College. To review the 2023-2029 strategic plan please visit https://www.acipc.org.au/about/strategy/

Establishing a SIG

Members of the College may apply to establish a SIG by sending the following information to the ACIPC office:

• the name of the proposed SIG
• a statement of the purpose and objectives of the SIG
• the proposed convenor of the SIG
• the names of at least five members who support the formation and ongoing coordination of the SIG
• Note: only ACIPC members are invited to attend SIGS

Members of the College may apply to establish a SIG by sending the following information to the ACIPC office office@acipc.org.au

What will you get from a SIG?

Opportunities to

• Develop new friendships
• Network and create links with likeminded people
• Grow your knowledge and skills
• Stay up to date with current information
• Join us at ACIPC Conference and meet with familiar faces
• Engage with ACIPC Committees

SIG Activities

SIG activities are open to all members of the college.

SIG activities may include:

• Hosting of events related to the SIG including education, webinars, meetings
• Development of communications including emails, information for college website, activity reports for the board

Other activities are subject to the approval of the MEC and can be proposed via the Executive Manager of the College.

Management of SIGs

• the members of the SIG will appoint a convenor
• the convener will be the point of contact and spokesperson for the group and will manage the activities of the group with the support of the members
• SIGs will operate under the MEC

Reporting of SIG Activities

To promote the activities of SIGs and ensure their success:

• SIGs should provide at least four updates per year to be included in the College’s newsletter, IPC News
• SIGs must provide an update for inclusion in the College’s annual report including:
  • a list of current members
  • a summary of activities for the year
  • objectives for the next year

Hosting SIG Events

A budget must be approved by the Executive Manager for any proposed SIG events with a registration fee or expenses. Any agreements, such as venue, catering bookings and industry sponsorship, must also be approved by the Executive Manager. Please contact the office for more information.

Office Support

The office will support SIGS by:

• publishing SIG updates and content in IPC News
• setting up Zoom meetings for the SIG.
• Zoom meetings: The office doesn’t attend or provide technical support.
• sending email updates to SIG attendees
• sending email updates to College members (where relevant)
• posting content on the College’s digital channels (where relevant)
• providing registration forms for SIG events
• collecting fees for SIG events
• authorising industry sponsorship agreements
• organising the payment of expenses for SIG events