November 2025 – Institute for Urban Indigenous Health

Scabies is a common skin condition that can affect anyone, but it’s easy to treat when you know what to do.

What is scabies?

Scabies is caused by tiny mites that burrow under the skin, leading to intense itching and a rash. It spreads easily through close contact, such as hugging or sharing bedding and clothes.

Signs to look out for:

itchy skin, especially at night
small red bumps or burrows, often between fingers, wrists, elbows, armpits, groin and creases of your bottom
rash that spreads over time.

How to treat scabies:

Treatment usually involves a special cream or lotion you can get via prescription from your doctor or over the counter at your local pharmacy. Sometimes, a tablet prescribed by your doctor is used instead. It’s important that everyone in the household is treated at the same time, even if they don’t have symptoms.

Practical tips:

The day after your first treatment:

wash all your towels and bedding in water that is 60°C or higher
wash all your clothes in water that is 60°C or higher
any clothes or items that can’t be washed should be put in a sealed bag for 8 days
if possible, place mattresses, pillows and blankets in the sun
thoroughly vacuum the house and soft furnishings, such as lounges
you should have no body contact for 3 days with items that cannot be washed or put in the sun.

We know some of this stuff can be hard to do. If you need support, sing out to Mob Link, details below.

If you have scabies, you should stay home until 24 hours after treatment to prevent it spreading to other people. Read about how long you should keep your children home from school.

Why act quickly?

Scabies won’t go away on its own. Treating it early helps prevent spreading it to family and friends.

Think you or your family might have scabies?

Contact your local IUIH clinic today for advice and treatment by phoning ahead. We can advise how we can treat you safely.

You can also call Mob Link on 1800 254 354, 7 days a week, 365 days a year from 7am-8pm.

For more information, check out these trusted resources:

Increased Speech & OT Capacity

We’re excited to share that in 2026, the Disability Services team will be expanding our capacity for Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy services across South East Queensland. This growth will allow us to support even more participants and families within our communities.

Stay tuned for more information in the new year – including locations and referral details!

Communication Device Support Now Available

Our Speech Pathologists can now support Mob with NDIS plans who are needing communication devices. Whether it’s an assessment, trial, or learning how to use your device, our team is here to make sure you’ve got the tools that work for you.

Growing Exercise Physiology services

Our Exercise Physiology (EP) services have recently expanded, allowing us to support more participants across the region.

Through the NDIS, our EP team can assist with:

Building strength, balance and mobility
Managing chronic health conditions
Developing exercise and movement routines
Improving daily living skills and independence
Supporting overall wellbeing and quality of life
Hydrotherapy sessions to support movement, recovery, and confidence in the water
Deadly Sporting pathway – Inclusive Exercise Physiology Group Program for Children with Disabilities building their self confidence and love for sport

We’re excited to continue helping participants reach their goals through culturally safe and holistic exercise programs keeping Mob strong, active and healthy.

Prep Readiness

We’re introducing a new program designed to support our jarjum in getting ready for school. The program is NDIS-funded and delivered by a team of Allied Health Professionals, including Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists and Therapy Assistants. We will walk alongside families to ensure your jarjum has the support they need for the next big chapter in their life.

Deadly Explorers

We’re kicking off 2026 with a new, hands-on program run by our Speech and OT team! In January, we’ll be introducing Deadly Explorers – a three week program that will run for three hours on Tuesdays. Our deadly explorers will learn, create and discover with science experiments, nature adventures and cooking creations.

Queensland Murri Carnival

The Disability Services team had an incredible time at this year’s Queensland Murri Carnival (QMC). Throughout the week, we enjoyed the opportunity to yarn with participants, families, and community members, sharing information about our services and celebrating the strength and pride of our Mob. It was a deadly week filled with connection, culture and community spirit. We’re already looking forward to yarning with you again at QMC 2026!

Looking Ahead to 2026

The Disability Services team recently enjoyed a productive and inspiring offsite planning day at Tallebudgera. The morning was dedicated to strategic planning for 2026 and beyond, with the team reflecting on achievements, setting goals, and brainstorming innovative ways to strengthen our services and support for our deadly participants.

In the afternoon, we visited the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre for a guided cultural walk. This enriching experience provided an opportunity to connect with Country, learn about the rich Aboriginal history of the Gold Coast, and deepen our understanding of the land’s cultural significance. The day was a perfect balance of reflection, connection and forward planning by setting a strong foundation for the next chapter of Disability Services at IUIH.

Disability Access Team Cultural Team Building Day – A Powerful Visit to Cherbourg and the Ration Shed Museum

Recently, the Disability Access team came together for a cultural team-building day, spending time on Country at Cherbourg. We had the privilege of visiting the Cherbourg Historical, Cultural and Community Precinct including the Ration Shed Museum.

It was a powerful day, filled with a wide range of emotions from sadness and grief, to pride and deep respect. We listened to courageous Aunties and Uncles who generously shared their personal stories of life on the missions. Their words offered raw and honest insights into the deep injustices they experienced – stories of families being torn apart, children removed from their parents and siblings, and cultural identity stripped away through forced assimilation.

These stories left many of us feeling a mix of anger, heartbreak, inspiration and a strong need for reflection. It was a powerful reminder of the intergenerational trauma still present in our communities today and of the strength, resilience and survival of our people.

For our team, this experience deepened our understanding of the barriers our families continue to face. It reaffirmed the importance of delivering our work through a culturally safe and respectful lens.

We walked away with greater awareness, empathy, and commitment to continue walking alongside our families in a way that honours their stories and culture.

We are truly grateful for the opportunity to connect with community and history in such a meaningful way.

Improving and Integrating Urban Indigenous Health Services