In This Issue...

Improving sleep health – an advocacy update

Sleep DownUnder 2021 news

What’s on next? 

2021 Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association roadshow

Improving sleep health – an advocacy update

ASA is working alongside the Sleep Health Foundation to plan the next phase of our advocacy work to improve sleep health in Australia and we want to hear from you.

We've launched a discussion forum to help you share your thoughts with us. There’ll be opportunities in the coming weeks for more comprehensive feedback, but our first question is straightforward: 

"If you could change two things to improve sleep health, what would they be?"

To give us your initial top two action issues, you can email Marcia Balzer or visit our new discussion forum in the members’ section of the website.  You can find the forum by logging in to the website and navigating to: Members area> Discussion forum.

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Sleep DownUnder 2021 news

Abstracts
The deadline for general abstract submissions is 18 June 2021.To view the abstract submission instructions click here. 

The deadline for Advanced Trainee submission is 6 July 2021. Click here to view the Advanced Trainee instructions.

To submit an abstract or for full details click here

Early bird registration

Have you got your early bird registration yet? Early bird registration closes 6 August.

Awards

The following awards are open for submissions with applications closing Friday 30 July:

• Helen Bearpark Scholarship
• Nick Antic Career Development Award
  
• Fisher & Paykel Sleep Research Travel Award

Successful applicants will be announced at the annual scientific conference - Sleep DownUnder 2021 in Brisbane 10-13 October.  

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What’s on next?

Keep up to date on the latest visit our events page.

Clocking up: What time should I take this medicine?

Chronotherapy involves altering the timing of medication administration in synchrony with the body’s circadian rhythms for the purpose of improving clinical outcomes and/or minimising adverse effects of medications. In order to achieve this, clinicians need to have a basic understanding of drug disposition and how the circadian clocks affects this, as well as circadian physiology. Join Professor Bandana Saini  and A/Professor Craig Phillips as they describe key terms used in chronotherapy, highlight examples where chronotherapy has shown to be effective and discuss practical applications of research evidence so far. When: 27 May 2021, 3PM AEST

SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP OFFER: As a special promotion for this webinar only, if you register to attend this webinar and also renew your membership or join the ASA, you will receive 5% off the cost of your membership. Upon confirmation of your registration, you will receive a special one off code to use to access this 5% discount

COVID-19: Sleep, mental health and our response to the outbreak

The effects of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health are evident. However, the links between sleep and mental health during the pandemic require further explication. It is also important to discuss the government and public health response to the disease outbreak. This webinar aims to provide further understanding on government’s response to the COVID-19 outbreaks and the mental health changes arising from the pandemic. Join A/Professor Sutapa Mukherjee and Dr Melinda Jackson as they lead a discussion on our response to COVID-19 and its effects on our sleep, mental health. When: 7 July 2021, 4PM AEST

Hypersomnolence masterclass

A virtual clinical masterclass for sleep and respiratory physicians, general physicians, advanced trainees (in particular respiratory, sleep, neurology, psychiatry, general medicine), psychiatrists, neurologists, psychologists and general practitioners. When: 31 July 2021, 9:30am - 3:30pm AEST.

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2021 Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) roadshow

You’re invited to the biggest nursing conference in 2021, the APNA Conference Roadshow! 

 Between September and November 2021, join nurses at one of eight in-person events across Australia. There’s an event in every state or territory, come and learn, connect and re-energise! Early bird registrations now open! Learn more and register.

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Update your permission and preference options

Don't want to miss out on your e-news? Want to hear the latest about Sleep DownUnder? What about new educational opportunities and the latest updates from ASA? We need you to update your account with us so we can communicate with you about our services and provide you with member benefits. You can read all the details in our new privacy policy.

Please log in to your ASA account, and go to the Preferences tab to update your permissions and preferences. Click here for instructions. Forgotten your username or password? Click here for instructions.

Thank you to those who have already updated their permissions and preferences, these will take effect in the coming months.

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Pharmacy Education Sub-Committee

The pharmacy Education Sub-Committee are looking for interested pharmacists to join the committee to help support sleep education activities for pharmacists. If you are interested in joining please contact Kara Nicholson.

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Healthier Sleep magazine

Healthier Sleep is a quarterly magazine distributed by World Sleep Society (WSS). As a member organisation, ASA members have free access and can download articles to reprint for patients and staff. The May/June edition is available now.

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Study review: Efficacy and safety of prolonged-release melatonin for insomnia in children with autism spectrum disorder

Research Review's latest study review is of a recent study on the efficacy and safety of paediatric prolonged-release melatonin for insomnia in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Independent expert commentary is provided by Professor Karen Waters, a Sleep Physician and Head of Sleep Medicine at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

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