Doctor now at the Charleville Office

CWAATSICH • Newsletter • Issue Six, September 2009
ISSUE
SSS SIX
S • September
S
b 2009
CWAATSICH
Charleville & Western Areas Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander
Corporation for Health
Doctor now at the Charleville Office
CWAATSICH now has a doctor at the
Charleville office. Dr Nigel Brown is now
conducting health assessment clinics at
CWAATSICH in Edward Street, Charleville
every Wednesday from
8.30am-12.30pm.
As part of the expanding health services being
provided by CWAATSICH, the priority of these
clinics is to address adult and child health checks,
with follow up checks the next week during a short
consultation. To take advantage of this free service,
all you need is a current Medicare Card.
Transport services are also available and
appointments must be made through the Charleville
office on 4654 3277.
CWAATSICH provides a culturally sensitive and child
friendly environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples.
Sonja Street
Events Calendar - September
Sports Expo
25th - 26th
SWIN Meeting
23rd - 24th
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CWAATSICH • Newsletter • Issue Six, September 2009
This article was published in
the Western Star Newspaper
11/08/09 - following HWA
stakeholders meeting at the
Roma CWAATSICH office
For too long, Indigenous Australians have endured
lower life expectancies with infant and child health
and increased levels of chronic disease compared
to their European-rooted countrymen.
The stark reality of the inequalities in indigenous
and non-indigenous health makes the ‘Healthy
Walk-About’ program, arriving in Roma next
month, all the more important.
“We’re aiming to lower, by 30 per cent the
admission rate of Indigenous locals to hospital
for chronic diseases, as well as promoting child
health,” program coordinator Sonja Street said.
Coming off the success of Mitchell’s ‘Healthy
Walk-About’ in May, organizers are hoping to get
similarly high numbers when the program runs in
Roma.
“We certainly didn’t envisage 155 participants in
Mitchell,” Ms Street said. “It was fantastic to see!”
“30 per cent of those people health screened went
on to attend referrals with a GP because of the
unacceptable clinical findings detected”
“It was very successful especially in that regard – in
the early detection of chronic disease.”
Roma Bungil Cultural Centre will be transformed
into a showcase exhibition of health education on
September 9 and 10, with health and Indigenous
professionals from across the region banding
together to deliver specialized, up-to-date health
information to the community.
The areas of chronic disease, nutrition, eye health,
podiatry, healthy hearts, men’s health, social
wellbeing activities, healthy aging, ATODS, sexual,
adolescent, child/maternal and oral health, as well
as face painting, traditional music and dance for
the children. And much more!
Cooking demonstrations, reflexology, massage
sessions and, most importantly, health screens and
an ECG clinic will all be available to the community
free of charge.
It is the fourth time the program has been run in
the past year, and each time organizers have been
blown away by the number of participants to
come through their doors.
With an Indigenous population of roughly 500 for
Roma, they are expecting this leg of the ‘Healthy
Walk-About’ tour to be the biggest to date.
“We’ll be walking from each CWAATSICH
community delivering our message of a healthy
lifestyle for Indigenous Australians” Ms Street said.
“It’s also a mental walk, to find a better place.”
The CWAATSICH professional Health Team started
the “Healthy-Walk-About” in Quilpie and have
continued on to Roma over the past of 12 months.
The ‘Healthy Walk-About’ Welcome to Country
(Mandandanji) BBQ will be held at the Bungil
Cultural Centre on September 8, from 6.30pm. All
welcome!
Health screens, education and entertainment will
be running from 8.30am to 5pm on September 9
and 10.
CWAATSICH transport support will be available too
and from the program, please call the office for
more information - Roma Office 4622 4237.
Hope to see you all there!! Stay Happy and Healthy.
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CWAATSICH • Newsletter • Issue Six, September 2009
Gundanoo
Child and Maternal
Bindina
Health Program
On Tuesday 11th August, we had Teresa Walsh
from the Qld Centre for Mothers and Babies, speak
to mothers who were pregnant or who have had a
baby in the last 12 months.
This was an informal group discussion about their
experiences of maternity care and was very well
attended by many mothers in the community. The
mothers commented that it was very good to share
there experiences and look forward to the next one.
Alannah Liston
Events Calendar - September
Guest speaker from Child Protection
16th
at the Bidjara Conference Room, 10.00am-12.00pm
Immunisation clinic at the CWAATSICH office
9.30am-11.00am
17th
4M’s Program at CWAATSICH, 9.30am to 12pm
30th
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CWAATSICH • Newsletter • Issue Six, September 2009
HERPES
There are many types of the
herpes viruses. Both herpes
simplex type 1 (HSV1 – Cold
Sores) and herpes simplex type 2
(HSV2) can infect the genital area.
HSV 1 commonly causes ‘cold
sores’ and tends to occur in the
upper half of the body, mainly
around the lips and mouth. HSV 1
can also infect the genital area. HSV 2 is more commonly
the cause of genital herpes.
After the herpes virus has entered the body, it travels
up nerve fibres and lives in nerve cells around the spinal
cord in the lower back. Usually it lies dormant and it is
not completely understood as to what causes the virus to
reactivate and cause blisters. Some factors that may trigger
an outbreak include; menstruation (periods), emotional
upset and sexual activity. Sunburn can also trigger a herpes
episode (or cold sore) on the face or lips.
Symptoms
Many people who have genital herpes are not aware
they have the infection because they may not have any
symptoms.
The first episode of herpes can cause considerable pain
and distress. Symptoms associated with the first episode of
genital herpes may include:
•
Flu-like symptoms – such as feeling unwell,
headaches and pains in the back and legs
•
Small blisters around the genitals – these
break open to form shallow, painful ulcers, which
scab over and heal after one to two weeks
•
•
Preventing the spread of herpes
The best protection against STIs is to always use barrier
protection such as condoms, female condoms and dams
(a thin piece of latex placed over the anal or vulval area
during oral sex). Remember that herpes transmission
can occur when symptoms are present (such as a sore or
blister), but may also occur even if there are no genital
symptoms.
Condoms for men can be bought from supermarkets,
pharmacists and other outlets. Female condoms and dams
are available through Family Planning Queensland and
may be available from selected shops. Latex free condoms
are also available from some outlets. Male condoms and
lubricant are available free from the CWAATSICH office
in Charleville, along with female condoms and dams on
request.
Antiviral medication, taken daily, helps to reduce
transmission of herpes to a sexual partner.
Where to get help
•
•
Your doctor
•
•
•
•
Your school nurse or school welfare coordinator
Nurse on Call Tel. 1300 606 024 – for expert
health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
Youth worker, welfare worker or social worker
Your local community health centre
Sexual Health - CWAATSICH Charleville Ph. 46 543 277
Small cracks in the skin
Redness or a distinct rash.
Treatment
There are no medications to rid your body of the herpes
virus. Treatment is aimed at easing symptoms and
preventing recurrences. Symptoms can be improved by:
•
•
•
Salt baths
Pain-relieving medicines – such as paracetamol
Antiviral drugs – such as acyclovir, famciclovir and
valaciclovir. These can reduce the severity of an
attack if taken early enough (preferably within
three days of symptoms appearing).
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CWAATSICH • Newsletter • Issue Six, September 2009
SPORT AND REC
Profile of the Month
Name: Kane Gledhill
Story so far: Kane enjoys all sports and shows great sportsmanship to others that he competes
against.
Rugby League and Cricket is where Kane has become one of the leaders for his age group. Kane
attended the last 2 Indigenous Cricket Programs with Nev Paulsen. Nev is very impressed with his
development over the last 12 months.
Kane is always the first to arrive and the last to leave, which shows how important sport has
become to him. Kane expects to continue his sporting aspiration for many years to come.
• Tyson and Troy started the ‘Have A Go’ program on the 11th of August, which was very well attended.
The program has been developed this program to help our local children and Cricket club and also for
our ATSI children to allow them to be able to be selected for the Eddie Gilbert Program with Queensland
Cricket. At the moment we have 3 local boys in this program Jarryd Lawton, Jackson Mahon and Braydon
Mitchell. Girls are very welcome to attend as well.
• It has been a busy month at CWAATSICH with reporting and planning for the CWAATSICH Sports Expo.
The Sport Expo is the first for the area and it will help to get more Development Officers to attend this
area.
• Elders Presentation Night - we are looking at holding the Elders Presentation night in Roma in November.
As the Melbourne Cup is on the 3rd, we were thinking the 12th of November is the best option. If this is
ok can you please let the Staff at the CWAATSICH office in your town know.
Troy Williams
Sport and Rec Coordinator
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CWAATSICH • Newsletter • Issue Six, September 2009
Hello there and welcome to another
edition of ‘Two Minutes with Tyson’. This
week’s series will be focusing on youth
around the town and the talent that is
being shown.
Grand final day will showcase the many talented
players and will award the “Stand Out’ player with
a major prize. Other awards that will be presented
are, Player of the Year, Best and Fairest awards and
also Player of the Final Series.
My supervisor, Troy Williams and I have just recently
started up a program called ‘Milo Have a Go’,
which is a six week cricket program that will lead
up to the holidays and the new cricket season. It is
great fun for the kids as they learn different types of
skills and drills each week, with an afternoon tea to
kick start their afternoon. If any parents want their
kids to join up it is never too late to register, just
come down to the St Mary’s school with an easy
$15 and we will register your child.
On the 29th August the “Augathella Meat
Ants” are coming to do battle at the Charleville
Showground’s, coming up against a fast and
energetic side, the “Charleville Comets”, coached
by Nigel Steedman, the Comets have nothing to
lose as they have won all their games so far and
the boys are not going to go down without a fight.
If any one is interested please come down and
support your local rugby league team, it will be $5
to get in but if you are not staying to watch the A
Grade then you will kindly receive your money back.
At the end of the cricket program each child will
receive some gear such as, hats, a cricket bat
and ball and much much more. Please note this
program only applies if your child is in Grade
1, 2 or 3.
Tyson Mitchell
Footy is reaching the business end of the season,
with the grand final only weeks away. Head on
down to your local showground’s this weekend to
support the young players who have been putting
in a big effort for their teams and the crowd.
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CWAATSICH • Newsletter • Issue Six, September 2009
BBQ, Screening and
Golf Day
Transport and Fuel
Voucher Service
On Tuesday 18th August 2009
we will be conducting a Men’s
Health Program.
CWAATSICH wishes to advise
that there has been a number of
changes to a few of its services.
It will commence at the CWAATSICH office and
then all participants will be offered a general
health check before a BBQ and a round of golf.
This program will be run on a fortnightly basis with
different activities each time. The next fortnight
we will be going fishing.
1) Elders Shopping Service – due to the increase of
transport services to and from health facilities
CWAATSICH only has the capacity to support
the Elders Shopping Service twice a week.
If you are interested in this program please contact
Russell Lawton on 4654 3277 during business
hours.
2) Fuel Voucher Service – this service will only
be provided to community members who are
eligible and reside within the CWAATSICH
Region.
This will commence as of 1st September 2009
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CWAATSICH • Newsletter • Issue Six, September 2009
Healthy Breakfast
Since October last year,
Aboriginal Health hosts a
‘Healthy Breakfast’ program
every Tuesday morning at the
Quilpie State College.
The program is organized by Jocelyn Wallace and
Charlotte Gorringe, who begin to prepare the
breakfast at 8:00am, ready for the kids to eat at
8:30am. Various breakfast choices are available to
the students including toast with vegemite or jam,
a warm cup of Milo, cereal or porridge.
Trays of different kinds of fruit are also available
for the students, extra fruit is also taken to the
program in the mornings for those students who
would like to eat the fruit during their morning tea
and lunch.
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CWAATSICH • Newsletter • Issue Six, September 2009
Visiting Specialists Dates
Here are the dates for specialists
visiting the MITCHELL Offices this
month.
Goolburri Dental Van
18th August – 17th September
Working on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
fo each week.
Podiatrist – Matt Edwards
Tuesday 22nd September
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CWAATSICH • Newsletter • Issue Six, September 2009
TRANSPORT HOURS
Monday – Friday 05:00pm – 08:00pm
Saturday – Sunday 09:00am – 06:00pm
Transports are made to and from medical facilities and services only.
Long Distant Transports – Transports Policy 041
ELIGIBILITY CRITERION
Criterion 1: 45 Years of age and over
As previously advised the Long Distance Transport Service is provided to Elders (45 years of age and over)
This age group was selected because it relates to the National Morbidity and Mortality Rates, which stipulate that
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people life expectancy is 45 years of age. The National Life Expectancy for Non
Indigenous people is 65.
Criterion 2: Special Circumstances clients unable to travel by Public Transport/
Private Transport for medical reasons)
The referral letter must specify the medical reason as to why clients require Long Distance Transport assistance. If
this matter is not included in the Referral letter the assessing officer is required to contact the Dr/Specialist and make
enquiries to confirm the client/s situation.
In relation to travel requirements e.g Public Transport or CWAATSICH Transport Services.
Criterion 3: Private Vehicle
This relates to clients required to see Drs/Specialists and utilizing private vehicles. Clients utilizing private vehicles can
obtain a fuel voucher to assist with the fuel expenses. Vehicle will be required to obtain their fuel at Service Stations
where CWAATSICH has established accounts. This generally equates to one tank of fuel as CWAATSICH does not have
accounts at all towns on the required travel routes.
Please be advised if you call for transport and then need to cancel, please contact us as sometimes we are
out looking for you for long periods of time.
Transport Task Card
When a client is requesting transportation from our service these are mandatory questions we must ask:
• Name of Client:
• Pick up address
• Destination:
• Purpose of Transport
• Number of People:
• Age of all children (for appropriate seating)
• Pick up time: am/pm
• Person taking callout:
• Time: am/pm
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