Integrating Service Delivery in Woorabinda
Health Checks for children and adults commenced in Woorabinda on 9th April 2014 when the QGC-CQ RAICCHO Mobile Health Clinic held the first in a rolling series of Woorabinda “Deadly Choices” Community Days. The Community Day was a joint program involving the Woorabinda Shire Council the Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC), and Nhulundu Wooribah Indigenous Health Service based in Gladstone.
First completed health Check lady at Woorabinda proudly displaying her “Deadly Choices” Shirt
A range of service providers in Woorabinda participated, including Queensland Health, Red Cross, AND Employment Services Queensland. Staff from Central Queensland Indigenous Development (CQID) also assisted with transporting families to and from the event which was greatly appreciated.
Merle O’Donnell from Queensland Health and other colleagues from the sexual health team – including some training GP’s – also attended and setup a stall and handed out promotional information to the Community.
The Queensland Police Service also had two Police Officers and two Community Liaison Officers in attendance who interacted with the young people on the basketball court and spoke to community members.
The Regional Tobacco and Healthy Lifestyle Team from Nhulundu Wooribah Indigenous Health Service were accompanied by the “Deadly Choices” Ambassador Damien Hooper.
Damien Hooper chats to a Woorabinda fan.
The Community Day was rated an overwhelming success. 15 MBS 715 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Checks were completed, with another 40 Aboriginal residents registering for the return visit of the Mobile Health Clinic on 15th – 16th April.
First completed health Check lady at Woorabinda proudly displaying her “Deadly Choices” Shirt
Some community residents happily waited for up to 3 hours so that they could participate and have their Health Check competed, including respected Elders from Woorabinda.
CQ RAICCHO and Nhulundu Wooribah supplied the Locum GP, a registered Nurse (the CQRAICCHO Spearhead) and the Health Worker / Medical Receptionist. Collectively they ensured that Medicare compliance was achieved by telephoning the hotline to ensure that individuals were eligible for a Health Check / MBS 715 – that is, they had not already received their Health Check.
The Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council Chairman/Mayor, the CEO, Executive Assistant and a Council Member also attended the day and where pleased with the overall event and services. They also proudly donned their Deadly Choices Shirts and said that they looked forward to meeting with the CQRAICCHO Board and GM to ensure continuity of services.
Woorabinda Shire Council and Community Leaders and Damien Hooper
The Deadly Choices team were kept busy with Good Quick Tukka demonstrations and providing education on quitting the smokes.
Damien Hooper and Sharrna Parter prepare the younger community members for the Good Quick Tukka demonstration.
“Deadly Choices” Ambassador Damien Hooper was a huge crowd pleaser and shared his story with the community. Damien represented Australia in Boxing at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010 London Olympic Games in 2012.
Damien proved a crowd pleaser with these two young ladies from Woorabinda.
Because of the overwhelming response from more than 300 adults and children, the Organising Group has agreed on a return program for two days on 15th – 16th April to hold another “Deadly Choices” Community Day and to allow for the completion of further MBS 715 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Checks, as well as follow-up care to the people seen on 9th April.
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