Improving and Integrating Urban Indigenous Health Services

Month: October 2025

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Dedication, compassion and impact: OT Max Jessop’s story

Max Jessop, occupational therapist, wears a Pamela Mam pink shirt, smiling with a background containing pictures of leaves. :)

For occupational therapist Max Jessop, connection is everything.

“At its core, occupational therapy is about problem solving,” Max says. “Every day, I get to work with clients and design creative solutions that support them to enjoy the things they love.”

Max’s journey as an OT has been shaped by the unique approach at IUIH, one that means you walk alongside clients and respect the strength of families and culture.

“At university, you’re taught that you’re the expert and that clients should listen to you. At IUIH, it’s about yarning with clients and meeting them where they’re at. Especially when I’m working with kids – I can’t be an expert in someone else’s family.”

That philosophy came to life when Max worked with a young jarjum who was only attending school for a few hours a week. The child felt isolated, and his teacher was struggling to support him.

“He didn’t know how to advocate for himself, and that’s a big part of our job as OTs,” Max explains. “We worked with the school to create a plan that accommodated his needs and supported him and his family to build his capacity to stay in school longer.”

The result? He now attends school full-time and feels connected to his classmates. His teacher understands him better, and he’s thriving.

“He just needed to feel seen and heard and have someone advocate for him. At the end of the day, that’s what a lot of jarjum need.”

At IUIH, OTs like Max deliver culturally safe, person-centred care that empowers individuals to live life their way. And it’s not just the clients who benefit – clinicians are supported to think creatively and act on ideas.

“’No’ isn’t a word you hear at IUIH,” Max says. “There’s an open dialogue between clinicians and management. If I have an idea, the response is always ‘write up a plan and bring it to me.’”

Whether it’s helping children build skills for school, supporting adults to return to work, or enabling Elders to stay strong and independent, OTs are making a real difference for our Mob day in, day out.

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From first steps to next steps: Jared Egeskov’s journey as a podiatrist at IUIH

A podiatrist checking someone's foot.

At IUIH, we walk alongside our Community: step by step, story by story.

This Podiatry Week, we celebrate the vital role of our podiatrists in supporting the health and mobility of our Mob. From a jarjum’s first steps to an Elder walking pain-free, our podiatry teams are there, providing culturally safe, holistic care that empowers every journey.

For Jared Egeskov, that journey began with curiosity: “I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do at first,” he says. “I knew I wanted to work in healthcare, but nursing wasn’t for me – and physio sounded a bit too competitive and tough on the hands.”

After seeing a podiatrist for supportive innersoles, Jared became intrigued by the profession and chose it as his first preference for university.

Later, a friend working at IUIH spoke highly of the meaningful and varied work. At the time, Jared was in private practice, but it felt more like sales than healthcare.

“It didn’t sit well with me,” he says. “So, I applied to IUIH – and honestly, it’s been the best decision I’ve made.”

Now, Jared’s days are filled with everything from general foot care, including trimming nails, managing calluses, and having a good yarn, to clinical assessments like checking circulation and sensation.

“It’s a bit of a mix between nursing and physio, which definitely keeps things interesting,” he says.

His scope is broad, supporting Mob with everything from diabetes foot checks and wound care to nail surgery and paediatric assessments.

Jared’s work is more than clinical – it’s Community-focused, culturally safe and deeply personal.

“Here, I get to build real relationships with my patients, work in a multidisciplinary team, and focus solely on what’s best for the person in front of me.”

And for podiatrists considering a role at IUIH?

“Be flexible and ready for anything,” Jared advises. “No two days are the same – one moment you’re doing routine nail care, the next you’re called in by a nurse or GP to lend a hand with something unexpected. It’s a collaborative, fast-paced environment, and if you’re open-minded and adaptable, you’ll thrive.

“You’ll grow as a clinician and make a real difference.”

From First Steps to Next Steps, we’re proud to walk alongside our community, with podiatrists like Jared Egeskov making a difference every day.

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How Podiatry Supports Strong Steps in Community

Image with orange footprints graphics on an dark purple background with the words “Podiatry Week,” promoting IUIH's focus on strong, healthy steps in community.

At IUIH, we believe healthy feet are about more than mobility. Our Foot Health (Podiatry) service is a core part of how we support your wellbeing. Our team help Mob stay comfortable, mobile, and independent.

What is Podiatry with IUIH? 

Our podiatrists are allied health professionals who specialise in caring for feet and ankles. They work with you to assess, support, and provide guidance so you can continue walking confidently. 

What We Can Support You With 

  • Foot health checks (blood flow, sensation, injury prevention) 
  • Diabetes foot checks + education 
  • Sports and overuse injuries 
  • Jarjum foot concerns 
  • Thick, curly or ingrown toenails 
  • Hard skin, corns, tinea (fungal infections) 
  • Foot sores that are slow to heal 
  • General foot pain 
  • Guidance on footwear: right shoes, in-shoe supports, padding 

Why Foot Health Matters 

Strong feet support more than walking. They’re central to overall health and independence: 

  • Mobility & independence: Walking without pain supports participation in work, school, caring roles and life.
  • Preventive health care: Foot checks reduce the chance of small problems becoming serious. Treating issues early can help avoid complications. 
  • Early detection: Picking up subtle changes before they become problems leads to better outcomes and less disruption to daily life. 
  • Chronic disease prevention: For people with diabetes, regular foot checks are vital to preventing long-term complications. 
  • General wellbeing: Comfortable feet make it easier to stay active and connected. 

How We Work with You 

First Appointment: Your podiatrist will yarn with you and assess your feet. We’ll check your nails, skin, circulation, and sensation to understand what’s happening and what matters most to you. From there, we’ll talk through any treatment you might need and how we can continue to support your foot health over time. 

Ongoing Support & Education: Our role is to support you. We’ll work alongside you to strengthen your knowledge of foot care. For example, if you’re living with diabetes we’ll share strategies to help you care for your feet and know when to return for review. 

Regular Checks: Preventive care is key. For those with diabetes, we recommend at least one foot health check every year, just like annual eye or blood sugar checks. 

How to Access the Service 

  • If you’ve completed the 715 Health Check, you can ask your doctor for a referral to podiatry. 
  • You can also yarn with your doctor or nurse at any IUIH clinic. They can help connect you to podiatry care. 
  • Services are available across South East Queensland through IUIH clinics. 

We know that health care works best when it is respectful, accessible and culturally safe. That’s why: 

  • Our practitioners build relationships, listen deeply and walk alongside you on your health journey. 
  • Services are delivered through trusted clinics, often by staff who are part of or closely connected with Community. 

We adapt advice to be relevant for you, your family, and your lifestyle. 

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Statement on paracetamol use

Graphic with a brown background and an orange wavy border at the bottom. A decorative yellow circular pattern is in the top right corner. Centred white bold text reads 'Statement on paracetamol use', with 'paracetamol use' in a larger font. Below the text are dotted lines in blue, white, and orange.

Taking care of your health and wellbeing when pregnant helps keep you and bub deadly, safe and well.

When used according to the label or as recommended by your GP, Paracetamol (also known as Panadol, Dymadon and Panamax) is safe for use before, during and after your pregnancy.

It is also safe for bubs and jarjum, and is an important way to bring down fevers, and treat aches and pains.

If you want to have a yarn about paracetamol, any other medications or about your pregnancy, sing out to the GP, nurse or pharmacist at your local clinic or BiOC. Or call Mob Link on 1800 254 354.

Here in Australia, we have strong protections in place to make sure our medicines are safe. The Therapeutic Goods Administration is responsible for this. If you would like to read more about paracetamol, click here to read the statement on their website.