WINNUNGA NIMMITYJAH

Wiradjuri language meaning

STRONG IN HEALTH

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service, Canberra ACT

Client Demographics

Clients: Over 10,000 clients registered

Around 3000 clients seen per year

Local community – ACT and surrounding areas including Queanbeyan & Yass

Substantial transient community

Clients from across Australia

Close the Gap – culturally appropriate holistic primary health

careSessional Doctors (10) & Public Health DoctorClinical Aboriginal Health WorkerOtitis Media School ProgramPractice NursesOpioid Nurse (outreach)Dental ServicePrison Health Service Diabetes Clinic (monthly)Aboriginal Midwifery Access Program

Close the Gap – culturally appropriate holistic primary health

care Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Counselling and Support Services

Bringing Them Home Dual Diagnosis Drug and Alcohol Ted Noffs Youth Liaison Youth at Risk Program Social and Emotional Well-being Suicide Intervention Child and Adolescent Mental Health Housing, Centrelink and Legal services Liaison

Close the Gap – maternal and child health

Aboriginal Midwifery access program

• Two midwives and Aboriginal Access Worker• Antenatal care at Winnunga• Shared care policy with hospitals• Close working relationship with hospital Aboriginal Liaison

Officers• Outreach home visiting program (antenatal and postnatal)• Support and transport provided at hospital visits and

specialist appointments • Birth support provided• Referrals to Winnunga Social Health Team if appropriate

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Health Checks

Childhood vaccinations

ABORIGINAL MIDWIFERY ACCESS PROGRAM TEAM

Close the Gap – chronic disease

Primary Prevention

• Adult health checks• Smoking – No More Bunda program for

clients and staff. Free nicotine replacement therapy.

• Winnunga gym• Access to hydrotherapy, water aerobics• Promotion of good nutrition

Close the Gap – chronic disease Secondary prevention and

disease management• Care plans and team care arrangements• Register of diabetics and cardiovascular disease• Monthly diabetes clinic - diabetes educator, dietitian,

podiatrist, NDSS supplies• Diabetes cycle of care• Standard management guidelines• Encourage and monitor regular blood pressure

checks, HbA1c• Facilitate specialist appointments

Close the Gap – emotional social wellbeing

Counselling Support – Stolen Generation Counselling Support – Substance Misuse Parenting & Family Support Family Violence Counselling Grief & Loss Counselling Youth Support Crisis Management Suicide Intervention Carers Respite

Close the Gap – community and social support

Women’s and men’s groups Cultural camps Community days Sporting programs – boxing, netball Facilitate access to services

• Housing• Centrelink• Legal services• Aged care

Close the Gap – workforce

Alcohol and Other Drug training Aboriginal Health Worker training

On-site training for medical students and GP registrars

Admin trainees Dental trainee

Aboriginal Health Worker class – 2007/08

Close the Gap – building the evidence base

Research and evaluation

• Prison health project – Developed a model of health for the new ACT prison– Partnerships with ACT Corrections and Health, AIATSIS,

NSW Corrections and ANU

• I Want to be Heard– Needs analysis of illicit drug users (2004)

• Where’s your country, who are your people?– Trialing and evaluation of screening and brief

interventions for problematic alcohol use

Close the Gap – what is required?

Winnunga business plan

• Adequate sustained funding to deliver the services needed

• Optimise health outcomes through service delivery

• Infrastructure

• Community development

• Health data and research

Close the Gap – what is required?

Winnunga business plan

• Co-ordination and linkages

• Governance

• Policy development and implementation

• Build workforce

• Quality improvement and risk management

• Public relations