Topic: Aboriginal health

Tharawal Aboriginal Medical Service’s over-70s clients embraced the opportunity to have their bone strength tested when Osteoporosis Solutions’ mobile van visited the site in Airds on Wednesday, 14 April.

Appointments for the bone density test were booked out on the day.

     

A bone density test measures the amount of bone mineral (calcium) in the skeleton and is the best way to detect osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones become brittle and fragile, leading to a greater risk of fractures (breaks). It is often called the silent disease, as there are no symptoms. Often a broken bone is the first indication of osteoporosis.

The mobile van takes testing and treatment to the community and can be situated at sites including senior citizen villages or medical centres.

Find out more about Osteoporosis Solutions’ mobile van by calling 1300 659 796 or visiting their website.

National Close the Gap Day on Thursday, 18 March highlights the campaign aiming to close the health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation. The gap refers to the vast health and life-expectation inequality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. This inequality includes:

• shorter life expectancy
• higher rates of infant mortality
• poorer health
• and lower levels of education and employment

The Closing the Gap strategy has resulted in some improvements, but national statistics indicate there’s still a long way to go.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is a key priority for SWSPHN. We are working with our community to close the gap by supporting our community to live healthier and longer lives through prevention and better management of chronic diseases.

Find out more about our work

Find out more:

• Indigenous disadvantage in Australia: The disparity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians
• Close the Gap: Indigenous Health Campaign

SWSPHN is working with our community to close the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australian’s life expectancy. We strive to do this by improving access to culturally appropriate primary care services and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Last year our staff undertook a number of approaches to improve Aboriginal health and strengthen partnerships.

 

Partnering with Tharawal to deliver mental health, drug and alcohol and social and emotional wellbeing services

We partner with Tharawal Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) to deliver mental health, drug and alcohol and social and emotional wellbeing services tailored to the needs of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. The service is an example of the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership in the design and delivery of services for the community.

 

Cancer screening initiatives at Tharawal and Gandangara

Health staff aimed to increase knowledge and awareness of the benefits of cancer screening, early detection and treatment, and to reduce hesitancy in cancer screening amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within South Western Sydney. The program has increased cancer screening within the local community. Early detection and cancer screening included breast, bowel, cervical and skin.

 

Aboriginal Health Assessment (MBS 715)

We promote and support the uptake of the Aboriginal specific MBS item numbers including the MBS 715 (Aboriginal Health Assessment) and follow up referrals. This is through various channels including engagement with general practice staff and providing information to community members and other service providers through various activities and events which promote the benefits of the MBS items.

Aboriginal Health Practice Primary Care Resources

Department of Health – Annual Health Check Resource Collection

 

Cancer screening awareness activities

Cancer screening participation rates in South Western Sydney are lower than the NSW average for breast, bowel and cervical cancers, and in particular within our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. Last year we focused on community engagement and the promotion of the importance of screening. Health staff worked alongside Elders to increase knowledge and awareness of the benefits of screening, early detection and treatment, and reduce hesitancy in cancer screening. Other activities included: promotion of the NSW Breast Screen van locations; representation on the Cancer Institute of NSW/ PHN Cancer Screening Network; and the National Cancer Screening Register.

 

Cultural Responsiveness Training

Feedback from South Western Sydney GPs and practice nurses has ensured the SWSPHN’s cultural training is on point for general practice.

Cultural Responsiveness Training, with a focus on more practical advice, was delivered for the first time in March 2023 following a review of the former cultural awareness sessions.

In previous years, First Nations cultural awareness training was taught with a historical focus. While this is still relevant and taught in the Cultural Responsiveness Training, there is more emphasis on what can be done in a practical sense in general practice.

The training has been approved by RACGP for Cultural Awareness and Cultural Safety. It highlights the importance of a whole-of-practice approach to cultural safety, which includes having a friendly welcoming environment. All staff are trained in understanding the issues that prevent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from accessing services.

Topics include:

• Historical impacts on First Nations people
• How to apply a culturally appropriate communication style
• A whole of practice approach to providing a culturally safe environment
• Appropriate identification of First Nations people
• Conducting a 715
• Identify relevant Medicare items for First Nations people

At the training sessions, GPs are provided with resources such as flags, identification posters, 715 information and NSW Aboriginal Nation maps.

Cultural Responsiveness Training contributes to three educational hours of CPD for GPs.

 

Integrated Team Care Program

The Integrated Team Care Program aims to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents who have complex chronic conditions. We fund the program which is delivered by SWSLHD’s Aboriginal Chronic Care team. Through the program, the LHD provides continued support to clients across all seven local government areas in our region and maintains established linkages with acute and primary care. This includes Tharawal AMS, Gandangara Health Services and mainstream primary care providers. The established referral pathways between primary and acute services ensures clients can access care in a timely manner and receive ongoing care coordination.

 

Former NRL player and professional boxer Joe Williams helped facilitate a workshop for local Indigenous men aimed at developing a proactive approach to suicide prevention for Aboriginal men in October. The workshop was hosted by SWSPHN and saw participants come together to share experiences & potential solutions. It was part of a co-design process which will ultimately fund non-clinical suicide prevention approaches for Indigenous men.

National Close the Gap Day on Thursday, 19 March highlights the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equality – a key priority for SWSPHN.

We’re working with our community to close the gap by supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to live healthier and longer lives through prevention and better management of chronic diseases.

We do this in a number of ways.

We’re enhancing the cultural knowledge and understanding of GPs, nurses and others working within general practice to improve the access of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to mainstream primary healthcare services.

We also work with local Elders and the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and other government and non-government organisations, on services tailored to our local community.

Some of these include promoting Aboriginal health assessments, eye health, cancer screening and a Your Health project in two local high schools which aims to improve the health literacy of participants, empowering them to make better informed decisions, and to introduce them to their local Aboriginal Medical Service and support connection to culture.

Published in the Macarthur Chronicle on Wednesday, 11 March.