Improving and Integrating Urban Indigenous Health Services

Search
Close this search box.
Categories
Uncategorized

Goodna Clinic 10th Anniversary Celebration

This year, the Goodna Clinic turns 10! 

On Saturday 7 December, we’ll be celebrating from 10:00am – 1:00pm in the Goodna Clinic car park.

Join us for a feed, a stack of deadly giveaways, tours of the new clinic and more.

Date:  Saturday 7 December

Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm

Location: Goodna Clinic car park – 13 Church Street, Goodna.

See you there!

Categories
Uncategorized

Mammogram Morning Tea

This Breast Cancer Awareness month, we are encouraging our deadly women to take control of their health and get a breast screening.

Sisters aged 50-74, we invite you to have your free two-yearly breast screen with us on Thursday 31 October.

We’ll organise the travel and there will be snacks afterwards!  Morning and afternoon sessions are available.

It’s important to get your susu’s checked! Breast screening saves lives by finding cancer when it’s easier to treat.

For more information, contact Nurse Jamie: 3436 9600.

Categories
Uncategorized

Yarnin’ Disability: August 2024 edition

We had a great time meeting up with clients at NAIDOC events held across the Moreton Bay and West Moreton Regions. It was an incredible week of celebration. Our community came together to honour and celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The team hosted a disability information stall at each event and had engaging craft activities for all, including painting and stencils. 

It was heartwarming to see so many new faces and reconnect with familiar ones. The spirit of NAIDOC Week and the sense of community and unity was seen as we shared stories, laughter, and moments of reflection, strengthening the bonds within our community.

It’s a great reminder of the importance of staying connected and continuing the celebration of our shared history and culture throughout the year. Together, we can keep the fire burning – Blak, Loud and Proud.

Kindy kids and families celebrated NAIDOC Week at the Deadly Kindies Ball on Thursday, 25 July. We had a wonderful time connecting with the community and celebrating our jarjum at this fantastic event. It was a great opportunity to engage with families, share information about our services, and join in the festivities that honoured the achievements and growth of our youngest community members. We loved seeing everyone there and celebrating together! We look forward to next year’s event. Shout-out to our amazing Deadly Kindies team – thank you for including us in this deadly event!

We are thrilled to announce that our Disability Services Support Coordination team is expanding to Kalwun on the Gold Coast! This means we can provide essential support to our Gold Coast community. Our commitment to walking alongside Mob on their journey remains strong, and we look forward to fostering strong connections and delivering personalised, culturally-informed services in this vibrant new location. Stay tuned for more updates as we settle into Kalwun and begin this exciting journey together.

To refer into these services, please complete the expression of interest form.

We are delighted to welcome four new members to our team!

Julie Nicholson joins us as an NDIS Child and Family Therapy Assistant, bringing her passion for early childhood development and family support.

Sue Ellison steps in as our new Support Coordinator, ready to assist our clients to navigate their NDIS plans with her extensive experience.

Emily Veamatahau takes on the role of Team Leader – Support Coordination, where her leadership and expertise will guide our team to keep improving our services and support for clients. 

Finally, we are thrilled to have Max Jessop join us as a NDIS Occupational Therapist, providing valuable therapeutic services to our clients. Welcome, Julie, Sue, Emily, and Max! We are excited to have you on board and look forward to the incredible contributions you will make to our community.

The new NDIS child and family therapy assistant program in the Moreton Bay region has started. Under the guidance and support of our allied health professionals, Julie is eager to support jarjum and their families in achieving their goals through personalised, early intervention services, by focusing on each jarjum’s unique needs and strengths. We aim to foster their development and wellbeing, ensuring they have the best start in life. We look forward to working closely with families in the Moreton Bay community and making a positive impact together.

If you care for a jarjum under the age of nine with a disability, and you’re in the Moreton Bay area, please complete our expression of interest form.

If you like this newsletter and would like to receive it in your inbox, subscribe here:

 

Categories
Uncategorized

Yarnin’ Disability: July 2024 edition

We want to know if there is community interest in a potential new service specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with a disability.

The new service would use the Early Childhood Education Intervention (ECEI) Key Worker model to ensure that we provide services aligned with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways, in a culturally safe environment and framework. Our team would work with families to identify the needs and priorities of their children and to connect them with the community and services.

We are seeking expressions of interest from carers of children under nine years old with a disability who would be interested in accessing this service, or finding out more about it.

We joined forces with HELP Enterprises and All Abilities to employ two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduate interns on three-month contracts as part of our focus to support Mob into employment.

Both interns will finish their contracts at the end of June with on-the-job experience and ready to secure employment either within the IUIH network or in the wider disability services sector.

This is what Jade had to say about the experience:

“My working experience in the disability team has been amazing. Especially since it’s an entirely new work environment for me. The girls were so lovely and helpful when needed. I’ve really enjoyed my placement and being able to go out and see/connect with Mob and see what other business units also do. Last week I was on placement in reception and had a ball! The girls were so nice and explained things very well. I wasn’t expecting to be taking phone calls the first day, but I just jumped in and had a go, which went really well. I think my favourite part of this internship is being able to work with the disability team and being able to help them with their tasks. I’ve learnt so much working besides Temika, she’s great at explaining things and very helpful with any questions I have. I’ve definitely learnt so much about IUIH and the NDIS and hope to continue to learn more.”

– Jade (pictured)

We’re excited to be part of some upcoming community events:

  • 5 July – Buranga Widjung Justice Group – Caboolture NAIDOC event
  • 17 July – NAIDOC for Jarjums
  • 13 September – Burpengary School and Community Expo
  • 25 September – Kyabra Family Fun Day – Kyabra Community Association.

Throughout July, we are coming to a clinic near you! The IUIH Disability Services team will visit each clinic across Moreton ATSICHS and Yulu-Burri-Ba to provide information about the NDIS and the services available. Ensure you have your questions ready to ask!

Check with your local MATSICHS or YBB clinic to find out when the disability team will next be there.

We are sure that you have noticed the chill in the air! Now is the time to get the flu shot.

Our public health physician, Dr Jacqui Murdoch, was recently on DC Radio, talking all things flu. Click the picture on the right to hear it!

Book in to your local clinic to get your flu shot today.

Categories
Uncategorized

Yarnin’ Disability: May 2024 edition

IUIH publishes the May edition of the Yarnin' Disability newsletter

May 2024

Our deadly Disability Services team was at the Brisbane Disability Connection Expo last Friday, 2 March and Saturday, 3 March, promoting all things disability. 

Over two days, we connected with many people keen to use our service. If you know anyone who could use our Disability Services for Mob, encourage them to contact us for a yarn.

A Support Coordinator and a Plan Manager are two different roles performed by two different people. In some cases, an organisation may deliver both support coordination and plan management services however, the two services are separate to ensure there is no bias in how the funds are managed and roles are performed.

Support coordination: Support coordination is funded within your NDIS plan and helps build your capacity to navigate services and pursue your goals. A Support Coordinator connects you with NDIS providers and other services, and helps build your confidence and skills to use and coordinate your services independently. The IUIH Disability Services team offers support coordination.

Plan management: Plan management is funded within your NDIS plan and helps manage your funding by ‘paying the bills.’

The Plan Manager is responsible for paying your providers for their NDIS-related support. They also provide you with a budget report so you have oversight of your remaining funds.

Support Coordination Advocacy

The IUIH Disability Services Team offers a unique service to Mob who have NDIS plans, but no support coordination funding allocated. Our team provides support to advocate for participants who identify the need for support coordination funding in the NDIS review process. There is a cost to you for this service, which you can claim from your Capacity Building budget.

For more information on this service, reach out to our deadly Support Coordination team.

IUIH now offers exercise physiology support to Mob with a NDIS plan. Services can be delivered in your home or community. It’s available weekly on Fridays (excluding public holidays). For more information on this service and how to access it, reach out to the Disability Service Allied Health team.

Now is the time to get your flu shot. The flu shot is safe and free for Mob and can prevent you from getting super crook. The flu shot helps stop the spread of flu in Community, especially to our Mob most likely to get crook, including our old people, jarjums under five, pregnant mums and anyone with a chronic condition.

Book in to get your flu shot today.

Categories
Uncategorized

Yarnin’ Disability: A newsletter

IUIH launches monthly newsletter for our Disability Support Service

March 2024

Our deadly Disability Services team was at the Brisbane Disability Connection Expo last Friday, 2 March and Saturday, 3 March, promoting all things disability. 

Over two days, we connected with many people keen to use our service. If you know anyone who could use our Disability Services for Mob, encourage them to contact us for a yarn.

Support Coordination

A Support Coordinator supports you to understand your plan and connect you to services and programs to enhance your health and wellbeing. They will work with you and your family to identify what services you want and need. Your Support Coordinator will find you appropriate services, provide you with multiple options to choose from and then connect you with those services.

Allied Health

Do you have Capacity Building funding in your budget for Improved Daily Activities?

Our specialist disability allied health professionals can help you in a range of areas including: Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Dietetics and Exercise Physiology.

Our allied health team are here to support you in your wellbeing and make sure you are able to live your life to the fullest.

Access

Do you have a disability and are unsure about how to access the NDIS?

Our specialised access department can help you to navigate the pathway to the NDIS. We can help you to assess your eligibility under the NDIS, to gather your supporting evidence, to submit your application to the NDIS and to walk alongside you and advocate with you in gaining access to the NDIS.

In home supports

Most NDIS plans include a Core Budget. Within this budget, you may be able to access supports to help you with your everyday life activities like meal preparation, cleaning, household chores or personal care such as showering and dressing.

Community Access can also be provided under a core budget; we can help you go shopping, use public transport, and attend appointments or social/community events.

This service is delivered in the Moreton Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (MATSICHS) area only.

Have you heard of PACE?

PACE is a new client management system that has been designed to make it easier for NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) staff, partners, and providers to deliver a quality experience to you.

The staggered rollout of PACE across Australia began in October 2023 and is expected to take 18 months. People new to the NDIS will start using PACE, while people already in the NDIS will migrate onto the system as your plan dates renew.

Registered providers will have access to your goals and nominee details. However, IUIH Support Coordination clients need to ‘endorse’ IUIH (provide consent) to view plan details. Without this consent, IUIH will be unable to provide effective support to you. To provide consent, you will need to open the ‘my NDIS provider portal’ and record IUIH as your Support Coordinator. If you are unable to do so via the app, you can contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110 and provide consent over the phone.

When you endorse a provider, NDIA will know that the provider can make claims against your NDIS plan when they deliver support. Endorsing a provider also means allowing them to see plan details, including personal information, budget, and goals.

Over the course of your plan, you may want to change providers for any of the services you are receiving. Below is some information you need to know to do this.

Just follow these steps to switch:

Check service agreements for notice periods.

You would have signed a document known as a ‘service agreement.’ Within the agreement, there is a heading that explains the process to cease your service with the provider. In most cases, this will be 14 days, however with some providers, they will only require seven days’ notice.

Be aware of funding that still needs to be paid in that change-over period.

When you contact the provider to stop services with them, any service provided within the cooling off period/changeover period, such as support coordination, therapies etc will still be invoiced by that provider. Any service delivered outside of those dates will be invoiced by your new provider.

Email to provide notice to the existing service provider.

To end their service, you will need to provide written notice to the provider. Outline that you wish to cease service effective from a specific date (provide the last date of support).

You can change your endorsed providers by calling the NDIA.

Download the template.

Things to note:

If you end your service with a provider and they continue to send invoices for services ‘completed’ after your last date of service, you will need to follow up with them directly. You can also seek assistance from IUIH as your new provider, support coordinator, or Local Area Coordinator to resolve this issue. 

Flu season is coming. In April, this season’s flu shot will be available at your local AMS. 

People with chronic conditions should get the flu shot, as you’re more at risk of getting seriously crook. 

It’s safe and it’s free.

It’s important to get the flu shot in April, well ahead of winter. It takes two weeks for the flu shot to work, so you want to make sure you’re well protected. 

Do you find loud noise and bright lights challenging?

Coles has expanded its dimmer lighting, low-noise shopping experience, Quiet Hour, to five days a week, at a time that better suits many customers and working parents, from 6.00pm to 7.00pm, Monday to Friday.

The changes customers will notice during these times include: the radio turned down to the lowest volume, reduced register and scanner volume and team members refraining from using the PA system, except in emergencies.

Some Aldi stores offer Quiet Hour on Tuesdays between 8.00am and 10.00am and Saturdays from 6.00pm to 8.00pm. Woolworths offers Quiet Hour on Tuesdays, between 10.30am and 11.30am.

Categories
Uncategorized

Partnership Reduces Pre-term Birth by 50%

A birthing program established by three South East Queensland health organisations has reduced preterm birth rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies by 50%.

Results published in the Lancet EClinical Medical Journal this week highlighted significantly improved outcomes for women having a baby through the Birthing in Our Community program.

Birthing in Our Community was established in 2013 by the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health Ltd (IUIH), the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (ATSICHS) Brisbane and Mater Health in Brisbane in response to a need for women who are pregnant with an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander baby to access culturally and clinically safe care throughout their pregnancy and at birth.

IUIH CEO Adrian Carson says that the improved outcomes demonstrate the success of Aboriginal community controlled health services leading system reform with mainstream maternity services.

“This is an example of a successful partnership making a real difference for our people. Given the impact of this service, we want this model of care and these outcomes replicated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families across Australia.”

For Jody Currie, CEO of ATSICHS Brisbane, the results highlight the importance of women being able to access culturally safe care.

“Birth is a child’s first ceremony. It is a sacred time for families. So it is important we get it right. Supporting healthy mothers to have healthy births provides our children with their best chance to flourish, and that can truly change their life trajectory”.

Dr Peter Steer, Mater CEO, said that Mater is proud to be working side-by-side with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to strengthen services.
“This collaboration shows what can be achieved when committed partners share a vision and work together to achieve positive change. It is also a demonstration of what can happen when services like ours are prepared to learn from, and participate in, Aboriginal-led models of service delivery.”

According to lead researcher Professor Sue Kildea the results were unprecedented.

“This service was built on the best available evidence, knowing that nationally the preterm rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies have not reduced since Close the Gap was announced in 2008. To see a 50% reduction is extraordinary.”

Fellow researcher Associate Professor Yvette Roe said investing in developing an Indigenous workforce to support women has been key to keeping women engaged in the program.

“Every mum at Birthing in Our Community gets their own midwife 24/7 working side by side with a multidisciplinary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce to make sure all our women feel confident and safe to access the care they need for themselves and their bubs.”
The full article can be found at: http://bit.ly/305oqM5
 
For further information and interview:
Lorraine Pacey
Institute for Urban Indigenous Health
lorraine.pacey@iuih.org.au
0428 792 535

Categories
Uncategorized

Nous Review of IUIH – Summary Report 2019

In mid-2018, IUIH engaged Nous Consulting to undertake an independant review of IUIH’s performance over its first ten years of operation.

The Nous report, received in early January 2019, concludes that IUIH has successfully struck a balance within its model of service delivery that emphasises both discipline in billing, revenue raising and reinvestment, and the provision of quality care underpinned by robust Continuous Quality Improvement and Workforce Development.

A Summary of this report is attached here outlining the key findings and recommendations.

Categories
Uncategorized

Treatment Just Got Easier For Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a highly infectious virus carried in the blood that can make a person seriously ill. It can cause scarring of the liver and liver cancer. In some cases, it can result in death. For the majority of people, hepatitis C is a life-long condition if not treated – but treatment is available.

If you have done any of the following, you may be at risk of contracting hepatitis C:

  • Shared needles or other drug equipment (spoons, tourniquets, filters).
  • Spent time in prison.
  • Had a piercing or tattoo done in an unsterile environment.
  • Shared razors or toothbrushes with someone you know has hepatitis C.

Blood tests will show whether you have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus. If positive, follow-up tests will be required.

If you have hepatitis C, you may need to start treatment. The good news is there is a new treatment which is easy to take, side effects are rare, and 98% of people can be cured in 8-12 weeks with just one tablet a day. Most people begin to feel better within days of starting treatment.

Have a chat with your GP about getting free of hepatitis C.

Find your local Aboriginal Medical Service at www.iuih.org.au/clinics.

Categories
Uncategorized

Celebrate Bub’s Arrival with a Limited Edition Deadly Choices Birth Certificate

IUIH has partnered with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages to launch two commemorative birth certificates reflecting the hugely popular Deadly Choices brand.

The two designs pay homage to Deadly Choices program partners the Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Titans NRL clubs and feature the work of local artists Charlie Chambers and Christine Slabb.

They are available IUIH’s member network of 18 community health services in South East Queensland. Children aged up to five years old who are patients at one of clinics and who are up-to-date with their health checks and vaccinations will be offered the commemorative package (including a standard/legal birth certificate plus a commemorative certificate – valued at $59) along with a limited edition onesie.

Launching the certificates, Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said she hoped birth registrations would increase as a result of the initiative.

“By tapping into the hugely successful Deadly Choices campaign and making it available to children up to five years old, we are hoping to pick up children who may not yet have had their birth registered, and make sure they have a birth certificate available to use in time for them to enrol in school,” she said.

“Even if a child’s birth has been registered, it can sometimes still be hard to get a birth certificate down the track.

“We know parents will be excited about these designs and hope they will take advantage of this opportunity to celebrate their child’s arrival with one of these limited edition certificates.”

IUIH chief executive officer Adrian Carson said that making the birth certificates available through its member clinics would add to the Institute’s comprehensive, evidence-based and integrated approach to meeting the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living in South East Queensland.

“South East Queensland is home to the fastest growing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in Australia,” Mr Carson said.

“Offering these birth certificates will increase our engagement with families of new bubs, making it easier for families to access services including health care and education – services that are essential to closing the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations.”

New mums Amanda and Kiara attended the launch with babies Rebekah (11 weeks) and Harper (17 weeks).

“I love the Deadly Choices shirts, I make sure I get my health check every year so I can get the new designs,” Kiara said.

“I can’t wait for Rebekah to get her onesie, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the design on her certificate.”

Community Liaison Officer at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Victoria Belle-Locke, will be available to help families complete the paperwork required to access the certificates. Victoria will make personal visits to IUIH member clinics and be available via email and telephone for families.

About the artists

Charlie Chambers
Charlie Chambers was born and raised in Cherbourg, Queensland and has been painting most of his life. His heritage is Kiullill and Kookimijii. His art is inspired by the country where he grew up and the stories passed on to him by the elders of the Cherbourg community.
He uses techniques of dot work and cross hatching in his painting. The dot style is from his mother’s tribe who came from Western Queensland and the cross hatch style is from his father’s people who were from north Queensland.
Charlies’ art tells the story of his culture and tribal dreaming. His work also takes on an additional dimension of reawakening his people and broader society to the depth and value of Aboriginal traditions. As well as painting, Charlie spends time in schools and prisons teaching stories of the Dreamtime and the importance of cultural maintenance. He has exhibited extensively both nationally and overseas and received numerous awards for his artwork.

Christine Slabb
Christine Slabb is an Indigenous artist and graphic designer. Christine‘s love for her culture and coastal lifestyle inspires and strengthens her with everyday moments in everyday life.
Christine’s paintings can be found throughout Australian as well as in Japan, the United States, South Africa and Denmark.
Her talent has been recognised with multiple Aboriginal art awards, she was named North Coast TAFE Indigenous Student of the Year 2014.
Christine says of her work, “Designing for myself, mainstream or for my Indigenous Community, I love the creative process from simple sketches to watching them develop to seeing the final outcome.”

About Deadly Choices
Deadly Choices in an initiative of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) in South East Queensland and is funded by Queensland Health.

Deadly Choices aims to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families – to stop smoking, to eat good food and exercise daily. Deadly Choices also encourages our people to access their local Community-Controlled Health Service and complete an annual health check.

Governments have committed to ‘Closing the Gap’ in Indigenous Health, but only our communities can make this happen.

www.deadlychoices.com.au