Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

Current SIGs

Upcoming SIG Events

Paediatric SIG September Meeting

You are warmly invited to attend the Paediatric Special Interest Group (SIG) meeting on Tuesday, 22 September at 2:00pm AEST. This is a free event offered online via Zoom.

Topic: ‘Where Paws Meet Paediatrics: Exploring Animal Health and Paediatric Care Through a One Health Lens’.

Event Description

This session brings together veterinary and paediatric healthcare expertise to explore the role of animals in healthcare settings through a One Health perspective. Angela Willemsen, a qualified veterinarian and IPC expert, will provide insights into one health and animal health considerations. Stacey Shar and Taylah Pushchenjak, paediatric IPC professionals from Queensland Children’s Hospital, will share practical experiences of implementing animal-related initiatives within paediatric healthcare environments.

Together, this session will provide insight to the opportunities, challenges, and IPC considerations involved in safely supporting animal presence in patient care. Further, it aims to highlight how collaboration across human and animal health disciplines can enhance outcomes for children, families, and healthcare services.

Following the presentations, there will be a discussion and open forum. We invite attendees to ask questions and share their own experiences on the topic. We also welcome other paediatric-related issues for discussion.

Speakers

• Angela Willemsen: Veterinarian, Facilitator of the ACIPC Veterinary Foundations IPC Course, Academic at University of Queensland School of Public Health

• Stacey Shar: Clinical Nurse Consultant, Infection Prevention and Management Service, Children’s Health Queensland, Brisbane QLD Australia
• Taylah Pushchenjak: Acting Clinical Nurse Consultant, Infection Prevention and Management Service, Children’s Health Queensland, Brisbane QLD Australia

Contact SIG Convenor: Claire Nayda, Clinical Nurse Consultant of Infection Prevention and Control, Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney NSW Australia claire.nayda@health.nsw.gov.au

To register for the SIG meeting, please click the link below:

https://cdesign.eventsair.com/acipc-secretariat/sig-paediatric/Site/Register

Veterinary SIG September Meeting

You are warmly invited to attend the Veterinary Special Interest Group (SIG) meeting on Thursday, 24 September at 7:00pm AEST. This is a free event offered online via Microsoft Teams.

Topic: ‘Reducing the risk of HPAI Transmission: Practical tips for people with backyard chickens and pet birds’

Event Description:

As cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continue to increase, it is important to take some simple steps to protect your backyard chickens, pet birds, dogs and cats.
This short discussion provides practical tips to help reduce the risk of HPAI transmission, recognises situations that may require veterinary advice, and communicate effectively with your veterinary practice if care is needed. The webinar will also discuss who to contact if you find sick or dead wildlife, particularly birds, and where to access reliable information and updates.

Please note: This is a brief introductory webinar focused on key risk-reduction strategies. It is not intended to provide an in-depth discussion of HPAI, disease management or veterinary treatment.

Speaker:

Angela Willemsen: Veterinarian, Facilitator of the ACIPC Veterinary Foundations IPC Course, Academic at University of Queensland School of Public Health.
Angela is a small animal veterinarian who also provides IPC Consulting service to veterinary practices in all contexts.

Contact Veterinary SIG Co-Convenors:

Angela Willemsen – angela.willemsen@acipc.org.au
Carol Bradley – cbradleyconsulting@outlook.com

To register for the SIG meeting, please click the link below: https://cdesign.eventsair.com/acipc-secretariat/sig-vet

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 and 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 2023-2028 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
• Non-member attendance at SIG events is currently being reviewed by the Board.

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 convenor 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. All event details must be confirmed by the 20th of each month to meet the IPC newsletter deadline.
• Setting up Zoom Meetings (if required). Use of your own Microsoft Teams account is recommended for online SIG’s. Please note: The office does not attend SIG events 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 social media channels (where relevant)
• Creating and circulating registration forms for SIG events
• Collecting fees for SIG events
• Authorising industry sponsorship agreements
• Organising the payment of expenses for SIG events