our health, our choice, our way - aboriginal health council sa · 2019-04-03 · our health, our...

Aboriginal Health Councilof South Australia Inc.

our health, our choice, our waynewsletter

November 2014

milestone signing of the health accord

full RACGP accreditation for Watto Purrunna

health solutions that benefit every generation

educating youth about dangers of smoking

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The first service that went out for tender was the design of our publications, promotional material, and website. We are fortunate to have some great agencies in Adelaide with the expertise, experience and passion to assist us in producing appropriate, high quality resources for the organisation.

This issue of our newsletter and the 2013 – 2014 annual report, bear the crisp new look and implement the new AHCSA design standards. To coincide with the release of these two important documents, will be a preview of our new-look website at our AGM. The five organisations selected are our preferred suppliers for our publications, promotional material and our website and their details will appear on our new website.

This year AHCSA has reached a major milestone with the 10th anniversary of our Registered Training Organisation (RTO). From the hard work to become established as an RTO, and meeting the obligations necessary to achieve this, through to the various changes in training guidelines and standards, AHCSA has had a great success rate with student completions and graduations. For those who are unaware, this wasn’t the first time AHCSA provided training for Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs). In the days of the old Aboriginal Health Organisation (AHO), the AHO started training. In 1983, the first class of 19 AHWs graduated. This year, 63 students graduated, with over 1,000 students graduating over the 10-year period. This achievement has definitely contributed positively to the Aboriginal workforce across the state.

Success is also celebrated in Quality Innovation Performance (QIP), with our organisational accreditation; and our Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) Accreditation for the RTO for three and five years respectively. It has taken a great deal of hard work and commitment from the AHCSA accreditation and education and training teams to get these great results, as well as the participation and commitment from the AHCSA Board of Management. The accreditation process, although gruelling, has empowered boards across the Aboriginal community controlled health sector and it proves to be enlightening when

It has been a very busy and challenging 12 months since our last newsletter in November last year. AHCSA has been reviewing many systems through its accreditation process and one of these has been a new tender process for our procurement functions

message from theCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

board members are discussing standards, compliance and responsibilities.

There have been staff who have left the organisation and new staff who have joined the fold. We thank the following people for their contribution to AHCSA and its members: Melissa Connolly, Manager, Finance; Adam Stewart, Admin Assistant eHealth; Darrien Bromley, National Coordinator ATSIHRTONN; Paul Elliott, Alcohol and Other Drugs Prevention Coordinator; Andrea Murphy, Aboriginal Social Marketing Officer; Rachel Telfer, Administration Officer ATSIHRTONN; John McKiernan, Project Officer, Tackling Smoking & Healthy Lifestyle Initiative; Janet Stajic, Research Officer, Next Steps; and Karen Bates, Community Care Educator.

We welcome Isaac Hill, Data Management Officer, contracted for three years and Kat Taylor, Public Health Registrar, at AHCSA for a 12-month placement, and welcome back Ngara Keeler to the AHCSA family as Research Assistant for the Rising Spirits Research Project. The following personnel have joined our full time team: Robert Nilo, Chief Finance Officer; Catarina de Azevedo, Education & Training Compliance Officer; and Caitlyn Duncan-Ryenbakken, Dental Service Audit Consultant.

From May to July we had to endure the uncertainty of not knowing how Commonwealth funding would affect AHCSA, before finding out that we would lose two programs, have a 12-month Funding Agreement and lose 12 positions in total. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Registered Training Organisation National Network (ATSIHRTONN) and the eHealth programs were unsuccessful in getting further funding and concluded in July and September respectively.

With the Department of Health funding restructured, we were able to recruit internally and staff who were out of contract at the end of June had the opportunity to apply for and secure newly-formed positions, to ensure continuity and familiarity with and for our Members. Continuing on with AHCSA are: Paul Ryan, Senior Project Officer – Members

Support; Ann Newchurch, Senior Project Officer – Workforce; Chris Rektsinis, Project Officer Eye Health; Dr David Scrimgeour, Public Health Medical Officer; Karen Wyld, Workforce Development Officer (Backfill); Kerrin Florance, Admin Assistant; Jason Wauchope, Admin Assistant; Belinda Lock, Admin Assistant; Dan Kyr, IT Health Innovations Enterprise Architect; Ian Thurnwald, AHCSA IT Support; Mathew Campbell, Junior Educator; Annie-Rose Thurnwald, Admin Assistant RTO; and Sarah Ahmed, Rheumatic Heart Disease Project Officer.

The most exciting news for the year has been the purchase of a new building for AHCSA. It has been five years in the planning and a great achievement, enabling AHCSA to finally put down roots together, in one location, ensuring the ACCHS is well established in South Australia, now and into the future.

We would like to thank the AHCSA Board and members for their continued commitment and support, and thank you to the staff for all their hard work throughout the year. It has been a gruelling one, but as usual, everyone has been up to the task of getting down to business to ensure that our members and communities are supported wherever possible.

So as we move closer to Christmas and the end of the year, we wrap things up for 2014 and prepare for the excitement and challenges that 2015 will bring. As funding continues to be unpredictable and ever-changing, we will continue to adapt our programs and the delivery methods to ensure that our members and communities continue to receive the advocacy, guidance and support that they need, to continue to do the great things they do on a daily basis.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Mary Buckskin and Shane Mohor CEO and Acting CEO (August to December)

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newsletter | November 2014

While the Tackling Smoking and Healthy Lifestyle Team were in Scotdesco recently, planning and preparing the new Puyu Blaster social marketing campaign, they had the opportunity to sit with Aunty Gladys and her family. She shared stories about her life with them, and especially the dangers and effects of smoking, which she experienced first-hand. Hybrid Marketing, who worked with AHCSA on the posters, organised for photographer Richard Lyons to take these special and unique photos. The beautiful family photo on the cover captures a relaxed moment between formal shots of Aunty Gladys and her daughters Glennette, Estelle and Reva.

The campaign is fortunate to have Aunty Gladys as a local Ambassador for Scotdesco, which included the first interactive poster featuring Aunty Gladys speaking in the local Wirangu language. This poster sends out a powerful message. We would like to thank Aunty Gladys and her family for supporting the campaign and taking the time to let us into her home to share her personal journey.

Motherly love... (l-r) Glennette, Estelle and Reva with their mum Gladys Miller.

In March this year, the HERO team facilitated a two-day workshop with the Blood Borne Virus and Drug and Alcohol Projects at Tandanya for 20 workers from ACCHSs across SA. Over the two days, workers were offered updates about these significant and sensitive health issues and they were given plenty of opportunities to share ideas and discuss useful approaches for engaging with community members about improving health outcomes.

This annual workshop focused on preparing the participating ACCHS for the annual six week STI screening and treatment of chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomonas, which was conducted this year from 28 April to 6 June. They also dealt with issues regarding sex and consent, safety in sexual relationships, including sexting, and the use of social media, making use of some helpful resources from the SA Legal Services Commission, including the Expect Respect and Trusted Moments Projects.

Respect Our Mob peer education workshops went ‘on the road’ in collaboration with SHineSA’s Yarnin’ On team. The team was invited by a number of ACCHS to visit and

AHCSA’s Sexual Health Education Respecting Others (HERO) Program continued to work with the Respect Our Mob health promotion message

HERO CONTINUES to inform our youth

work with staff to promote the annual six-week STI screening and workshops, which were delivered to approximately 50 young Aboriginal people at the following venues:

• Ceduna Koonibba Health Service Aboriginal Corporation

• Pika Wiya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation’s (PWHSAC) Well Women’s House

• Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation

• Pangula Mannamurna Inc.

• Nunyara Aboriginal Health Service

• Tullawon Health Service – Yalata Women’s Health Expo

Feedback from the peer education workshops has been positive and it was great to engage with young people about these important health issues in their communities. 2014 has also seen the development of a series of Respect Our Mob posters for PWHSAC and Pangula Mannamurna Inc., featuring local community members promoting the Respect Test.

learning fromour own livingTREASURE

Over 300 people attended the inaugural SA Aboriginal Health Research Showcase at the new South Australia Health Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) building, North Terrace on 2-3 September. Wardliparingga, the Aboriginal Research Unit of SAHMRI, sponsored the event.

The highlight of the first day was the signing of the SA Aboriginal Health Research Accord. This was a significant milestone for Wardliparingga, and for Aboriginal health research in SA, in general. AHCSA has been a constant advocate of research done the right way with Aboriginal communities and participants, and has invested much time and effort into this cause over the past decade. The Aboriginal Health Research Scoping Study in 2005 recommended a central hub for Aboriginal health research and for better processes of engagement with the community.

In keeping with these recommendations, the Accord has committed SAHMRI, AHCSA, the Council of Aboriginal Elders and the three universities in SA, to conduct Aboriginal health research according to the following nine principles:

PRIORITIES Research should be conducted on priorities arising from and endorsed by the Aboriginal community to enhance acceptability, relevance and accountability.

A MILESTONE event


INVOLVEMENT The involvement of Aboriginal people and organisations is essential to developing, implementing and translating research.

PARTNERSHIP Research should be based on the establishment of mutual trust and equivalent partnerships, and the ability to work competently across cultures.

RESPECT Researchers must demonstrate respect for Aboriginal knowledge, Aboriginal knowledge systems and custodianship of that knowledge.

COMMUNICATION Communication must be culturally and community relevant and involve a willingness to listen and learn.

RECIPROCITY Research should deliver tangible benefits to Aboriginal communities. These benefits should be determined by Aboriginal people themselves and consider outcomes and processes during, and as a result of, the research.

OWNERSHIP Researchers should acknowledge, respect, and protect Aboriginal intellectual property rights and transparent negotiation of intellectual property use and benefit sharing should be ensured.

CONTROL Researchers must ensure the respectful and culturally appropriate management of all biological and non-biological research materials.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION Sharing and translation of knowledge generated through research must be integrated into all elements of the research process to maximise impact on policy and practice.

Wardliparingga will now work with each of the universities to ensure that the principles are well understood and able to be implemented. The Companion Document to the Accord provides further information and advice regarding how the principles can be put into practice. Copies of the Accord and the companion document are available from Wardliparingga – [email protected]

Signing the Accord... (l-r) David Day (Flinders University), Richard Russell AM (University of Adelaide), Aunty Janice Rigney (Council of the Elders) and Raymond Spencer (SAHMRI).

After the signing...(l-r) Alex Brown (SAHMRI), Shane Mohor, Richard Russell AM (University of Adelaide), Frances Bedford (Member for Florey) David Lloyd (UniSA), Aunty Janice Rigney (Council of the Elders), Raymond Spencer (SAHMRI), Karl Telfer, David Day (Flinders University) and Steve Wesselingh (SAHMRI).

Shane Mohor, our Acting CEO, signs the Accord.

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CEO RECEIVES A cherished welcomeIn June, I had the honour of being Welcomed to Country by Kaurna representatives and taking part in a traditional smoking ceremony. This was a once in a lifetime experience that I will cherish. I also acknowledge the very real responsibility that comes from this form of recognition by the traditional custodians of the Adelaide region.

I would like to thank Kaurna Senior Custodian of Ceremony for the ‘Paitya’ Cultural Circle Karl ‘Winda’ Telfer and his nephews Jarvis Harrison, Kyle Williams and Karno Martin for their generosity of spirit and for their efforts in offering the hand of reconciliation to our Health Network.

As an institution, we have a tarnished, not so distant past, as collaborators in a culture that separated Aboriginal children from their families. Today, our Health Network is committed to working for real improvements in Aboriginal Health outcomes and we recognise the importance of Aboriginal culture as part of the healing process. I look forward to working with our Aboriginal community to strengthen this relationship of mutual trust and respect.

Naomi DwyerCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER WOMEN’S AND CHILDREN’S HEALTH NETWORK


Named Taikurendi, meaning ‘together in partnership’ in the Kaurna language, the new office space is located in the Gilbert Building next to the Starlight Express Room and adjacent to the hospital’s Play Deck area.

The new facilities provide a comfortable and child-friendly space, where families can meet with hospital staff and have access to health information specifically tailored to their needs.

Women’s and Children’s Health Network Aboriginal Liaison Unit Manager, Janice Braun said the new location provided a much brighter and more inviting space, and its close location to child-friendly facilities meant it met the needs of both parents and children.

‘Our new location is making it easier for Aboriginal families to find us. Patients and their families tell us how much they like the new space and how it lifts their spirits,’ Ms Braun said.

She added that by having a prominently located and comfortable hub of their

own, Aboriginal families feel valued and know that Aboriginal health and wellbeing is being taken seriously by our Health Network.

The new offices were developed thanks to the generous support of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation, which contributed $137,500 to the project.

Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation CEO, Sam Tolley said that the project provided Aboriginal families with greatly improved access to the liaison service.

A traditional Smoking Ceremony was conducted on 16 May by Kaurna Senior Custodian of Ceremony for the ‘Paitya Cultural Circle, Karl ‘Winda’ Telfer with next generation Fire Keeper Karno ‘Kuri’ Martin.

The ceremony marked the important final stage of the new development, including an official Welcome to Country by Kaurna Elder Aunty Josie Agius and a cleansing of the space.

A brilliant PLACE TO HEALAboriginal patients at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital have a bright new space they can call home with the opening of the Aboriginal Liaison Unit’s offices in January this year

Cleansing spirit … Kaurna men, Karl Telfer and Karno Martin conduct the Smoking Ceremony at the WCHN Aboriginal Liaison Unit’s new offices at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

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NAHS contributes to the development of the region’s economy by employing, training and nurturing our employees. Additionally, NAHS are conscious of buying local and making use of local resources. Wherever possible NAHS plays an active role in Aboriginal Community Development and advocacy in Whyalla. From a regional perspective, their staff are involved in a range of committees and groups that contribute to the overall health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people across the state and the nation.

The following projects have all positively contributed to the community on a local, regional and statewide level, and could potentially have a national focus:

• The Information, Communication, Technology (ICT) project has regionally benefited three organisations, as well as the roughly 7,000 clients they service.

Nunyara Aboriginal Health Service (NAHS) provides a predominantly medical service, which assists our patients in staying healthy for their families and community

MAKING A DIFFERENCE to the community

• The team building activity has benefited the staff who work at the NAHS, which is passed on to the patients they treat.

• The Aqua Life Group has benefited Aboriginal people in Whyalla living with a chronic illness.

Implementation of a stand-alone Shared ICT Platform across three ACCHSs in South Australia

June saw the final implementation of three year’s of work to implement shared infrastructure and business systems across three ACCHSs – Pika Wiya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (69 FTE), Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (57 FTE) and NAHS (12 FTE).

The services transitioned out of SA Health Government ICT Networks onto independently-owned and managed cloud technology. The

‘Shutdown’ is a week-long activity that dominates the NAHS calendar. During the holidays, when the service is not as busy because the community and families may be away, NAHS take the opportunity to fit in five days of focussed activities for the staff. They undertake activities like training and development, information sessions, work health and safety activities, team building, education, planning, accreditation activities.

In February this year, the NAHS activities included:

• Fire Extinguisher Training – Eyre Peninsula Fire and Safety

• Work Health and Safety Update – Eyre Safety and Training

• Child Safe Environments – Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Training

• Clinical Documentation and Reporting – Nursing and Rural Health Unit at the Centre for Regional Engagement at UniSA in Whyalla

• Salary Sacrifice Information Session – Community Business Bureau

• Team Building overnight stay at Mount Dutton Station near Coffin Bay and Port Lincoln, where activities included: taking a picture with Makybe Diva, wearing a funny hat, playing ‘Minute to Win It’, participate in a memory game and Untie the Human Knot.

Team building, training and accreditation

Health check...regular blood sugar level testing is carried out at the clinic.

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three services collaborated to form a Joint Venture Group (JVG) to share infrastructure and business systems across the Aboriginal communities and NAHS has acted as the Agent on behalf of the joint venture, responsible for the finance and vendor management contracts.

The JVG’s long-term aim is to establish and secure broader partnerships and service delivery plans with other ACCHOs for expansion and shared use of the ICT Platform, establishing sustainable, affordable and manageable ICT and business solutions. The venture is strengthening the potential to share ICT Infrastructure, ensuring service continuity under the collaborative control of ACCHOs. This project has gained interest from inter and intrastate. It’s the first time in Australia that this kind of innovative collaboration has occurred in the ACCHS.

Nunyara Aboriginal Health Service (NAHS) recognised the need for a sustainable exercise program for Aboriginal people with chronic diseases, to empower and enable them to live a healthier and longer life.

Spirometry testing is being utilised as a diagnostic tool for diagnosis and treatment of a variety of lung conditions and we are continuing to target patients at risk of lung disease. We are in the process of setting up a recall system for annual monitoring as a preventative approach. Aboriginal-appropriate pamphlets and stickers are also available to support education.

Health promotion and positive lifestyle changes advocated for patients living with a chronic disease, have been another direction for NAHS, with the development of Aqua Life Group. A group of people with a variety of chronic diseases attend a 45-minute Aqua exercise class at the Recreation Centre with an instructor, followed by lunch and a chat about health-related topics. The patients are involved in their own learning and direct the conversation and educational needs towards health-related topics they are interested in learning more about.

They are considering going to kindergartens and schools to talk with staff about Asthma Awareness and the possibility of one on one asthma education for parents and their children.

Program makes A SPLASH

The next 12 months

The focus for NAHS over the next 12 months will be on providing improved clinical services to their patients and anticipate that all of their Aboriginal Health Workers will be qualified with at least certificate III, which will enable their staff to have increased skills, knowledge and confidence to provide quality health services.

NAHS intend to increase their patient episodes of care in various areas, for example, increase the uptake of childhood immunisations, flu and pneumococcal vaccinations and, with guidance from the health workers, formulate health care plans for self-management of chronic diseases. They envisage holding information days and activities to encourage the community to engage with their clinic.

A sound relationship with other health providers in Whyalla is something they aim to continue. Providing allied health care to patients with chronic conditions being among those relationships. Additionally, NAHS plans to expand the shared ICT Platform.

Keeping Up.... The CEO of Nunyara Aboriginal Health Service shares their newsletter.

All in a day’s work... Some of the happy faces from the Wynbring Jida MACS Child Care Centre.

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In order to help realise better access to prescription glasses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander South Australians, Optometry South Australia hosted a roundtable discussion for key stakeholders in July this year for the purposes of establishing how access to prescription spectacles for Aboriginal South Australian communities can be improved, in a practical and sustainable manner.

Optometry Australia policy advisor, Christopher Poulter, said that the existing South Australian Spectacle Scheme (SASS) only covered SA residents holding a current health care or pension card. A recent survey by Optometry South Australia of the state’s optometrists highlighted that SASS was not meeting the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. ‘They are slipping through the cracks,’ Poulter said.

The roundtable was facilitated by Mitchell Anjou from the University of Melbourne’s


Indigenous Eye Health Unit. Lead optometrist, Aboriginal Services, at the Australian College of Optometry, Dr Genevieve Napper, gave an overview of the Victorian Aboriginal Spectacle Subsidy Scheme.

Other attendees were from the following agencies: The Aboriginal Health Council of SA Inc., Pika Wiya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, The Department for Health and Ageing, Aboriginal Health Branch, The SA Department of Communities and Social Inclusion, Flinders University Optometry and Vision Science, School of Health Sciences and Sight for All.

Research to date outlines the following evidence:

• Over the age of 40, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have six times the rate of blindness than other Australians*.

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have better vision than other Australian children.

• 94% of vision loss in Indigenous Australians is preventable or treatable.

• 35% of Indigenous Australian adults report they have never had an eye examination.

• Refractive error refers to problems with the focusing of light and is a frequent cause of reduced visual acuity.

• Nearly 79% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults had self-reported eye problems.

• 83% of patients with self-reported problems had sought care, but of these, 64% reported that their vision problem had not been resolved.

• Cataract caused one-third (32%) of blindness in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults.

A roundtable discussion was held in reference to a subsidised spectacles scheme planned for Indigenous communities

SA SPECTACLE Scheme Roundtable

Keeping focus... Representatives of 16 organisations who met in Adelaide in July to address Indigenous eye care.


‘Our health, our choice, our way’

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CanTeen is currently working with the AHCSA to identify the needs and gaps for Aboriginal youth aged between 12 and 24 affected by and living with cancer. CanTeen’s support includes young people who have:

• Cancer themselves

• A mother, father or primary carer with cancer

• A brother or sister with cancer

• A parent, primary carer or brother or sister who have died from cancer

CanTeen provides a number of free support services including:

• Resources web links and books with tips and hints for young people and their friends on how to survive the cancer experience.

• Programs connecting them with other young people who understand and have had similar experiences, through fun days and overnight camps.

• Counselling online and telephone support.

• CanTeen Online a chance to chat online to other young people in the same situation and access to online counselling.

For more information about how CanTeen can assist young people you work with or to access the free resources, contact Rebecca Walker on 08 8122 6492, email [email protected] or visit www.canteen.org.au.

First time... Cameron and Ryan ride a camel.


• About 65% of people with cataract had been operated on.

• Diabetes was reported by more than one-third (37%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults.

• 13% of Indigenous Australians with diabetes had visual impairment, but only 20% of those with diabetes had undertaken an eye examination in the previous year.

* According to the National Indigenous Eye Health Survey 2008, Professor Hugh Taylor AC from the Melbourne School of Population Health, University of Melbourne.

Stumbling blocks

Participants said there was no consistent approach to providing prescription spectacles to Indigenous people in SA, and out of pocket costs were a barrier under the existing scheme. Comprehensive consultation and engagement with Indigenous representative bodies and communities was considered essential to develop a scheme which better meets the needs of Indigenous people. From a provider perspective, a high administrative burden to implement the current scheme, and government rebates not consistent with current costs, were seen as barriers for providers to participate.

Other problems included lack of sustainable funding and lack of co-ordination across state and federal jurisdictions. The group proposed that consultations should be based on clinical need, involve a small patient co-payment for optical appliances and include the choice of contemporary products such as progressive lenses.

Attendees also proposed that the scheme recruit providers and support optometrist participation by establishing an online claiming system and periodic indexation of rebates for optical appliances. A communication strategy to raise awareness of the scheme, cross-border relationships to ensure consistency where patients live close to jurisdictional borders, and monitoring, to measure how many people access the scheme, were also needed.

The principles are consistent with national principles for subsidised spectacles schemes targeting Indigenous communities, developed by Optometry Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Working Group.

A letter was sent to Zoe Bettison, Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, and Hon Jack Snelling, Minister for Health, regarding concerns about the existing and unacceptably high rates of uncorrected refractive error among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Pillar of supportSpring Program... Lauren and Cass getting messy on summer camp.

people in SA, and how the current South Australian Spectacle Scheme (SASS) is failing to meet their needs.

Some of the key outcomes from the roundtable discussion were:

• Acknowledgement of the current eye health disparities among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of SA and the significant eye health benefits to be gained, with flow-on social and economic effects to the broader community, through improved access to prescription glasses.

• Shared recognition that the existing SA Spectacle Scheme is not meeting the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of SA, particularly given its inherent limitations relating to patient eligibility, patient contribution and provider support.

• Identification of some key principles, which should underpin a subsidised spectacle scheme to improve access to prescription spectacles for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of South Australia.

• The reinvigoration of the existing SA Spectacle Scheme in a way which meets the eye health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of South Australia.

• A thorough and urgent review of the scheme, which addresses all aspects, including funding streams, patient eligibility and operational parameters.

• Supporting a ‘Healthy Lens analysis’ applied to the existing scheme, as defined by the South Australian Government’s Health in All Policies (HiAP) strategy.

Optometry South Australia and AHCSA have offered their expertise to aid a review of the existing scheme where appropriate, including facilitating consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and optometrists. In collaboration with roundtable stakeholders, Optometry South Australia intends to develop a detailed and costed proposal for a subsidised spectacle scheme, which better meets the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of South Australia.

The 16 key stakeholders from various organisations plan to meet over coming months to further progress the planning and development of a proposal for the South Australian Government, which outlines a scheme that better meets the needs of the state’s Indigenous communities.

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Watto Purrunna provides primary health care and community support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the central and northern metropolitan regions. The division is managed under the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN), but provides services across the Central and Northern Adelaide LHN.

Watto Purrunna consists of two operational units: Kokotina Tappangga (clinical service) and Purrunna Waiingga (wellbeing service). These units function across three northern sites: Muna Paiendi (Elizabeth Vale), Kanggawodli (Dudley Park) and Maringga Turtpandi (Hillcrest).

The clinical service includes health checks, immunisation, chronic disease management, diabetes education, podiatry, occupational therapy, nutrition support and speech therapy. These services are supported by a team of Aboriginal clinical health workers, registered nurses, allied health professionals, GPs and visiting specialists.

Closing the gap with the Strong Aboriginal Families and Children’s Health Expo

More than 300 people attended NALHN’s Strong Aboriginal Families and Children’s Health Expo, which was held at the Entertainment Centre on Wednesday 16 July. The event featured more than 20 health and lifestyle stalls, as well as various children’s entertainment, including rides, face painting, a photo booth, animals and a traditional welcome. The health stalls were staffed by various health groups from Watto Purrunna, as well as other health services including Kids Safe SA and SA Dental Services.

Watto Purrunna offered health information, appointments for health checks, flu vaccinations and children’s immunisations. The family health day was about delivering positive health messages to the community, as well as educating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about the various services available.


Watto Purrunna Update

The Northern Adelaide Local Health Network’s, Danielle Lee Lovegrove, is SA Health’s first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner. She works within Watto Purrunna at the Maringga Turtpandi and Muna Paiendi sites and has recently been given a unique high level endorsement and registration by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), after undergoing strict assessments.

The AHPRA endorsement means that Danielle can perform more high-risk clinical activities, unsupervised, in any state. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner certification is a new qualification that gives health professionals the ability to perform clinical tasks only nurses were previously allowed to perform. The qualification gives health practitioners the specific and specialised training and skills required to respond to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In order to qualify, Danielle had to complete a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice, prove she has worked in the profession, provide evidence that she has undertaken 500 hours of clinical practice and be of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.

The Kaurna Warra Pintyandi provided the name Watto Purrunna, a Kaurna term meaning ‘the branch of life’, to this Aboriginal primary health care division in 2009

SA Health celebrates achievement

Youth focus... WPAHS has established a preventative health assessment aimed specifically at young people.

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The event was jointly funded through the Strong Fathers, Strong Families program, an Australian Government initiative, and the Health Promotion in Children’s Centres Project, which is a Closing the Gap program.

Watto Purrunna make the grade

Watto Purrunna Aboriginal Primary Health Care Service recently received full accreditation against the 42 sub-standards set by the The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). The Kanggawodli, Muna Paiendi and Maringga Turtpandi services were closely assessed by Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited site surveyors against the following five main standards:

1. Practice services2. Rights and needs of patients 3. Safety, quality improvement and education4. Practice management5. Physical factors

Positive spin for youth-specific health checks

Watto Purrunna Aboriginal Health Service has created a preventative health assessment check specifically for youth. The youth health check will help ensure that young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 12 to 24 years-old stay healthy and receive primary health care to suit their needs. The checks aim to do this by building on existing positive factors and encouraging early detection, diagnosis and intervention for common and treatable health conditions amongst this age group.


NALHN’s Aboriginal Primary Health Care Service Watto Purrunna had approximately 80 members of the community and staff registered for the City to Bay Fun Run on Sunday 21 September. The group, registered as Lift ‘em Foot, was organised to promote being active and encourage Aboriginal Torres Strait Islanders to undergo regular health checks.

Every community member who registered for the event has had a health check, which is an annual Indigenous-specific health check, intended to increase preventive health opportunities, detect chronic disease risk factors, manage existing chronic disease better and reduce inequities in access to primary care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The health check includes a general assessment of the patient’s physical, psychological and social wellbeing. It also assesses what preventive health care, education and other assistance should be offered to the patient to improve their health and lifestyle.

The Indigenous-specific health check was set up because Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have considerably higher morbidity and mortality levels than non-Indigenous people, with earlier onset and more severe disease progression for many chronic diseases.

The Australian Government already promotes the use of adult, child and older persons’ Aboriginal health checks as screening tools to help with early intervention, however, there has previously been no assessment specifically designed for youth. Young people have specific developmental and health needs, which make them unique and distinct from children or adults. Aboriginal health workers, general practitioners and practice nurses within general practice or in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care settings, can use these health check tools.

The existing adult tool covers a range of topics related to risk factors such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, whereas this newly created youth health check will also include specific issues including substance misuse, sexual health and mental health. Watto Purrunna staff hope the youth health check tool will be adopted nationally as the child, adult and older age group categories have been.

It’s ladies’ night and they’re feeling right

On 13 March, staff at Watto Purrunna Aboriginal Health Service at Maringga Turtpandi joined with Northern Adelaide Medicare Local to host a Women’s Health and Pamper Night. More than 30 women attended the evening, which included massages and cooking demonstrations. The event also provided an opportunity for women to learn more about looking after their health. Many women had a wellness check on the night, or made a follow up appointment to discuss their health.

Team debut in CITY TO BAY

SA Health celebrates achievement

Ladies night... More than 30 ladies were treated to cooking demonstrations, pampering and health checks.

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In September this year, Donna Weetra, was awarded the prize for the best presentation by an Aboriginal early career researcher at the Wardliparringa Aboriginal Health Research Showcase.

Donna’s award-winning presentation focussed on sharing the findings of the Aboriginal Families Study, which was conducted by a group of researchers at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the University of Adelaide.

The inaugural South Australian Aboriginal Health Research Showcase was held at SAHMRI and shone a light on Aboriginal health research being undertaken in South Australia. It also marked the watershed signing of the South Australian Aboriginal Health Research Accord.

Representatives from the State’s three major universities discussed the past and present Aboriginal health research profiles of their institutions, while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early career researchers had the opportunity to present their work and gain valuable feedback from peers and mentors.

Wardliparingga was delighted with the overwhelming support for the event, demonstrated through higher than expected attendance from South Australian and Australian research community members, and interested members of the public.


The aims of the study

A comparison of the experiences and views of women attending mainstream models of antenatal care with those accessing care via the Aboriginal Family Birthing Program:

• Assess factors contributing to early and continuing engagement with antenatal care.

• Use this information to inform strengthening of services for Aboriginal families.

What was done

A team of 12 Aboriginal research interviewers invited women living in urban, regional and remote areas of South Australia to take part in the study by completing an interview booklet when their baby was around 4-9 months old. Before the interviews started the study, a research partnership was formed with the AHCSA and two Aboriginal researchers, Roxanne Miller and Hayley Wilson. A consultation was carried out with Aboriginal community organisations and communities to establish their thoughts about the idea of a research project of this nature. The intention was to assess the experience of women having a baby in the state regarding the care they received from services when they were pregnant, and after the baby was born. An Aboriginal Advisory Group was established as early as 2007 to guide the study, and has met regularly with the researchers to ensure that the study stayed on track.

Who took part

• 344 women who had a baby in South Australia between July 2011 and June 2013.

• The average age of women in the study was 25 years; the youngest was 15 and the oldest was 43.

Antenatal care Aboriginal WOMEN PREFER

• 39% of the women were living in Adelaide at the time of completing the interview booklet.

• 61% were living in regional and 39% in remote areas of South Australia.

The results

• Women in the study who received antenatal care from a metropolitan or regional Aboriginal Family Birthing Program (AFBP) were significantly more likely to have had positive experiences of care than women attending mainstream public antenatal care services.

• Only 36% of women receiving mainstream public care described their antenatal care as ‘very good’ compared with 65% of women attending an Aboriginal Health Service.

• 63% of women received care from a metropolitan AFBP service, and 54% of women attended a regional AFBP service.

The findings show that a dedicated focus on improving appropriate care for Aboriginal women can make a positive difference to their views and experiences of public antenatal care. The Aboriginal Family Birthing Program, offered in six regional

An Aboriginal Families Study was recently conducted by researchers at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the University of Adelaide, in partnership with the AHCSA. The study focussed on the experiences of Aboriginal women and families having a baby in South Australia

Aboriginal mums were interviewed as part of the study.

CELEBRATING our winners

Winning ways... Stephanie Brown, Principal Investigator, Aboriginal Families Study and Principal Research Fellow, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute with Donna Weetra, Senior Project Officer, Aboriginal Families Study, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

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To expand on the use of the NetSuite system implemented at AHCSA in 2012, to increase effectiveness and efficiencies, AHCSA has engaged C9 Solutions to assist with the mapping of AHCSA’s business processes and subsequent configuration of NetSuite.

One of the main priorities identified at the beginning of the project included the administrative function within the organisation. Of particular focus was the process of procuring goods and services using AHCSA’s debit card rather than the previous manual process, which was very time consuming and wasted a lot of paper.

As a result of streamlining the process via NetSuite, the Administration team now enjoys a saving of approximately 5 hours per week, which can now be dedicated to other administrative functions.

OPERATION SUCCESS with NetSuite

areas, and at a number of metropolitan sites, has resulted in more women having positive antenatal care experiences.

What’s happening in women’s lives during pregnancy

• Over half (56%) of women in the study had experienced three or more stressful events and social health issues such as housing problems, death of a family member, family conflict, or needing to go to court while they were pregnant.

• One in four (27%) had experienced between five to 11 issues.

What helps women stay positive and strong

Toward the end of the interview, women were asked what helped them to remain positive and strong.

Some of their responses were very uplifting:

• My family

• Thinking of the future for my children

• Being a role model for my kids

• Knowing who I am

• Knowing I am giving my children the best future I can provide

• Looking at my three children and thinking how precious they are to me

• Having my children and family around

The women spoke enthusiastically about having happy, healthy children; the support of their families, and the support of their partners; the importance of being a role model for their children; and believing in themselves and their capacity to be a strong mother. Other factors that encouraged the women to stay strong were: study, education and work; positive life experiences; making an effort to stay healthy and look after themselves as well as support from services.

What researchers are doing now

The team have been working with the Aboriginal Advisory Group to interpret and write up the study findings. Part of what they are doing now is sharing the study findings with communities, services and policy makers. Preliminary results have already been reported to policy makers and services. They will be continuing to write up the study findings over the next 12 months and their major goal is to ensure that the findings are used to inform strategies to strengthen services for Aboriginal families in South Australia.

Donna Weetra interviews Aboriginal mum, Rikki Wilson.

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For more information on education, training and professional development opportunities contact Denise Burdett at NACCHO by email: [email protected] or contact the RTO direct:

Aboriginal Health College (AH&MRC) New South Wales 35 Harvey Street, Little Bay NSW 2036 Tel 02 9019 0730 • www.ahc.edu.au

Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia Inc. 9 King William Road, Unley SA 5061 Tel 08 8273 7200 • www.ahcsa.org.au

Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia 450 Beaufort Street, Highgate WA 6003 Tel 08 9227 1631 • www.ahcwa.org.au

Bega Garnbirringu Health Service 16-18 MacDonald Street PO Box 1655, Kalgoorlie WA 6430 Tel 08 9022 5500 www.bega.org.au

Booroongen Djugun College 337-351 River Street, Greenhills via Kempsey, NSW 2440 Tel 02 6560 2000 or 1800 630 230 www.booroongendjugun.com.au

Central Australian Aboriginal Congress 14 Leichhardt Terrace, Alice Springs 0871 Tel 08 8951 4401 • www.caac.org.au

Central Australian Remote Health Development Service 3-8 South Terrace PO Box 8475, Alice Springs NT 0871 Tel 08 8953 5500 • www.carhds.nt.edu.au

Nganampa Health Council 3 Wilkinson Street, Alice Springs NT 0871 Tel 08 8952 5300 www.nganampahealth.com.au

Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia 182-190 Wakefield Street, Adelaide SA 5000 Tel 08 8406 1600 • www.nunku.org.au

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre 56 Patrick Street, Hobart TAS 7000 Tel 03 6231 3527 • www.tacinc.com.au

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation 17-23 Sackville Street, Collingwood VIC 3066 Tel 03 9411 9411 • www.vaccho.org.au

Wirraka Maya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation 17 Hamilton Road, South Hedland WA 6722 Tel 08 9172 0410 • www.wmhsac.com

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation 221 London Circuit, Canberra City ACT 2601 Tel 02 6246 9300 • www.naccho.org.au


ATSIHRTONN started out as a project managed by AHCSA during the 2006 – 2007 financial year, working towards the goal of having a national peak body for the WIPOs and RTOs delivering the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care qualifications.

In the eight years that ATSIHRTONN has been in operation, a number of staffing changes have occurred with the following appointments made:

• Anna Leditschke and Darrien Bromley – National Coordinators

• Ben Stewart, Delvene Cockatoo Collins and Karen Wyld – Senior Project Officers

• Jason Wauchope and Rachel Telfer – Administrative Assistants

The inaugural secretariat staff is credited with much of the early achievements such as establishing the membership, building relationships, developing the driving documents such as Strategic and Business Plans and creating the professional image of ATSIHRTONN.

ATSIHRTONN also achieved a number of other successes, including the production of reports on projects such as:

• An orientation, education and training needs analysis for the new and existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce.

• Scoping Study of Orientation and Training needs for Ear and Hearing Health Workers working with Aboriginal people.

• A needs analysis of simulated learning environments in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait ACCHSs.

ATSIHRTONN has also been involved in consultation on projects with national significance, including:

• Health Workforce Australia’s Aboriginal Health Worker Project.

• Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council’s review of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Training Package.

• Rural Health Education Foundation’s development of the DVD called A Unique and Valued Profession: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers.

• The NACCHO and NPS Medicine Wise Good Medicines Better Health Training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers.

However, ATSIHRTONN’s most noteworthy contribution is the support it has provided to its members in ensuring nationally consistent, high quality and culturally appropriate education, training and professional development for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce.

The absence of ATSIHRTONN’s secretariat will be felt and sorely missed within the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health and Vocational Education and Training (VET) sectors.

ATSIHRTONN’s RTO members will continue to operate and provide quality education and training for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce of Australia.

Please note the ATSIHRTONN website has been shut down. For information regarding training with an ATSIHRTONN RTO, please contact Denise Burdett at NACCHO by email: [email protected].

Even though ATSIHRTONN’s secretariat is being discontinued, the members of ATSIHRTONN will continue to exist and provide high quality health education, training and professional development for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners.

We bid FAREWELLAfter eight years of successful operation as the national network for Aboriginal community controlled Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and Workforce Issues Project Officers (WIPOs), the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Registered Training Organisation National Network (ATSIHRTONN) is closing down its secretariat

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RECIPES for a better future

These consultations resulted in the discovery of 12 ambassadors from communities on the Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas, who feature on posters displayed in their communities, as well as on pull-up banners used at local events and health services. One of the posters is interactive, so when a button is pressed, an audio message plays in local Wirangu language from Aunty Gladys Miller (Scotdesco community), making it more accessible.

The campaign is based on a superhero character, the Puyu Blaster, who combats tobacco use by supporting community groups and individuals with smoking prevention and cessation messages. The campaign has even included the development of a Puyu Blaster superhero costume, which is worn at events by a TS&HL team member to reinforce non-smoking messages.

Family Fun Day

The team also coordinated a Point Pearce Fun Day in partnership with the local Council, Country North SA Medicare Local, Country Health SA Local Health Network and Tauondi College. The aim of the day was to bring Aboriginal families from the Yorke Peninsula together to share a day of fun, participate in interactive activities and learn healthy lifestyle messages along the way.

The day acknowledged NAIDOC Week and included a community walk around the town. The team launched the Point Pearce Puyu

The Tackling Smoking and Healthy Lifestyle (TS&HL) Program team have been developing resources for the new Puyu Blaster Campaign, which has been developed through a number of community consultations

Healthy lifestyle campaign BLASTS OFF

Blaster campaign and there were poster signings by the local ambassadors. Other activities included a community My Kitchen Rules style cook off, a healthy community lunch, jumping castle, rock climbing, a photo booth and an appearance by the Puyu Blaster superhero.

The Puyu Blaster Campaign was also recently launched on the west coast at Scotdesco, Yalata and Ceduna, where the community participated in the cook off and shared a healthy lunch. Again, posters were signed by the campaign ambassadors and education sessions were held on the risks of smoking and the support available to make quit attempts.

AHCSA, along with project partners Tauondi College and Drug and Alcohol Services of South Australia, produced the 20 Healthy Feeds Cookbook – A Community Cookbook by Our Mob, For Our Mob. They held a statewide competition to find the best recipes by Aboriginal cooks. The recipes in the book subscribe to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and Australian Dietary Guidelines.

The TS&HLS team have been using recipes from the cookbook to encourage communities to participate in team cook offs with school and community groups. Each team prepares a recipe and is judged on criteria including good hygiene, presentation of food, taste and of course, how much fun they had making the food. The cook offs demonstrate how simple the recipes are and how easily they can be prepared by all ages.

Aboriginal POWER CUPAHCSA is a partner of the Aboriginal Power Cup where over 400 students from 34 schools participated from across the state. In the months leading up to the cup, the TS&HL Team had the opportunity to deliver the education session to schools with football players and Power Community staff to promote health and wellbeing, particularly around the use of tobacco. These sessions raised awareness of the negative impacts of smoking and the benefits of eating a healthy diet and being active.


Yalata Ambassadors...Trevor Peel, Patrina Smart and Kiarni Coleman launch the Campaign pull up banners.

Trent Wingard educates students about dangers of smoking.

Rex Angie and the Puyu Blaster superhero at the Point Pearce Family Fun Day.

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Aboriginal Health Councilof South Australia Inc. newsletter | November 2014

Nganampa Health Council Umuwa Office

Tel 08 8954 9040Fax 08 8956 7850 Alice Springs Office3 Wilkinson StreetTel 08 8952 5300Fax 08 8952 2299

PostalPO Box 2232 Alice Springs, NT 0871www.nganampahealth.com.au

Nunkuwarrin Yunti Incorporated

182 Wakefield Street, AdelaideTel 08 8406 1600 Fax 08 8232 0949

Postal PO Box 7202, Hutt Street Adelaide, SA 5000 www.nunku.org.au

Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service Incorporated

19A Oxford Terrace Port Lincoln, SA 5606 Tel 08 8683 0162 Fax 08 8683 0126

Postal PO Box 1583 Port Lincoln, SA 5606 www.plahs.org.au

Tullawon Health Service

Administration Office (Yalata) Tel 08 8625 6255 Fax 08 8625 6268

Postal PMB 45, Ceduna, SA 5690 www.tullawon.org.au

Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation

Lot 8, Umoona Road Coober Pedy, SA 5723 Tel 08 8672 5255 Fax 08 8672 3349

Postal PO Box 166 Coober Pedy, SA, 5723 www.uths.com.au

Pangula Mannamurna Incorporated

191 Commercial Street West, Mount Gambier, SA 5290 Tel 08 8724 7270 Fax 08 8724 7378

Postal PO Box 942 Mount Gambier, SA 5290 www.pangula.org.au

Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service Aboriginal Corporation

1 Eyre Highway Ceduna, SA 5690 Tel 08 8626 2600 (Admin) Fax 08 8625 2898

Postal PO Box 314 Ceduna, SA 5690

Pika Wiya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation

40-46 Dartmouth Street Port Augusta, SA 5700 Tel 08 8642 9904 Fax 08 8642 6621

Postal PO Box 2021 Port Augusta, SA 5700

Oak Valley Aboriginal Health Service

Maralinga Tjarutja Administration Office 43 McKenzie Street Ceduna, SA 5690 Tel 08 8625 2946 08 86704207 (Clinic) Fax 08 8625 3076

Nunyara Aboriginal Health Service

17–27 Tully Street Whyalla Stuart, SA 5608 Tel 08 8649 4366 Fax 08 8649 4185

Postal PO Box 2253, Whyalla Norrie, SA 5608 www.nunyara.org.au

Substance Misuse Services Aboriginal Sobriety Group Inc.

182-190 Wakefield Street, Adelaide, SA 5000 Tel 08 8223 4204 Fax 08 8232 6685

Postal PO Box 7306, Hutt Street Adelaide, SA 5000 www.aboriginalsobrietygroup.org.au

Kalparrin Community Inc.

Karoonda Road, Murray Bridge, SA 5253 Tel 08 8532 4940 Fax 08 8532 5511

Postal PO Box 319 Murray Bridge, SA 5253 www.kalparrin.com

AHCSA member directory


9 King William Road Unley South Australia 5061

T 08 8273 7200 F 08 8273 7299 E [email protected]

www.ahcsa.org.au

Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services

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our health, our choice, our way - aboriginal health council sa · 2019-04-03 · our health, our...

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