Outreach Health Services Newsletter- August

Welcome to the August 2018 Outreach Health Services Newsletter.

There has been a lot of activity within the outreach team and the program over the past few months. The new financial year has commenced and the service delivery schedule for the 2018-19 period is underway.

In this edition we will provide you with team updates, introduce you to the Northern Territory PHN (NT PHN) Regional Coordinators and let you know how they can assist you, share the latest good news stories from the region and much more.

We hope you enjoy reading our latest update.

Left to right: Outreach health team member Terika travelling to Lajamanu for a community visit with Tessa the Dietitian and Chloe the Exercise Physiologist.

Outreach Health updates

Co-design Process

We continue to work with NT PHN’s Comprehensive Primary Health Care Advisory Group to better align outreach health service delivery with NT PHN’s Commissioning Policy. This will involve a process of consultation and collaborative design of service solutions with our stakeholders that will occur over the coming months. In August we will be visiting each region to provide more detailed information, further these discussions and listen to your valued feedback. On Friday 20 July a communication with further information was sent to health services and service providers.

If you would like more information contact Karen Thomas, Project Lead – Outreach Health Services Commissioning:

p 8982 1084

e karen.thomas@ntphn.org.au.

 

MOICD Program Service Needs Analysis Update

The Outreach Health Services team has finalised the local level Service Needs Analysis, which was conducted earlier this year. The focus of the Service Needs Analysis was to determine service level needs for the MOICD program. This was achieved through consultations with host health organisations and service providers who deliver outreach services across the Northern Territory. This process identified current community need and priorities and led directly to the development of the service schedule for the 2018-19 period.

The final version of the MOICD Program Service Needs Analysis report has now been released and can be found on the NT PHN website. Needs Assessment Report.

Health Centre Agreement

The Outreach Health Services Program has developed a Health Centre Agreement template for Visiting Outreach providers and Host health centre managers.

The development of a Health Centre Agreement supports the establishment of a clear framework for service providers and facilities involved in the delivery of outreach health services across the Northern Territory. The document will clearly outline the roles, responsibilities and requirements of both parties to ensure safe and high quality health care.

The draft version of this agreement has now been finalised and has been sent out to both host health organisations and visiting allied health providers for consultation. 

We value your feedback on this document and if you would like any further information contact the Outreach team on

p 08 8982 1000 

e ohsp@ntphn.org.au
 

Overview of 2017-18

The graphic above represents a very busy year for the Outreach Health Services program.  

The Outreach team coordinated 1395 allied health services across 77 remote communities within the Northern Territory. These visits have enabled 16,812 clients to gain access to allied health services that help prevent, detect, treat and manage chronic disease conditions.

This is a wonderful outcome for the program and we look forward to working with you to achieve great results again in 2018-19.

Introducing the Regional Coordinators- connecting the dots!

NT PHN has regional offices in Alice Springs, Katherine and Nhulunbuy. Our Regional Coordinators assist with coordination for NT PHN, channel information flowing in and out of NT PHN, profile local health services in towns and communities and support NT PHN activities. Our work enables us to engage with existing local committees, networks and forums, and we ensure rural voices are heard at the PHN to facilitate local community solutions for integrated health improvements. If you would like to ask about NT PHN programs they are often your local contact and can connect you with the right person. 

There are four people in this team who serve regional areas, we all would like to build meaningful connections with a broad range of stakeholders and community leaders. Here is a little bit more about each Regional Coordinator.

Suzanne Belton
Top End, Regional Partnership Manager

Suzanne is a long-term Territorian with an academic professional background in nursing, midwifery and community development. She worked for many years in tertiary education and research and has a PhD in public health and anthropology. She is very interested in health systems and patient journeys and health literacy.

t 08 8982 1013
Suzanne.Belton@ntphn.org.au or  RegionalCoordinator@ntphn.org.au

Ebony Miller
Alice Springs and Barkly, Regional Coordinator

Ebony is a local Arrernte woman who has lived and worked in Alice Springs all of her life. She is a trained Aboriginal Health Practitioner and has good knowledge of Aboriginal health and social determinants of health. She is also an awesome football player and coach.

t 08 8950 4804
e Ebony.Miller@ntphn.org.au or RegionalCoordinator@ntphn.org.au

Christine Butler
Katherine, Regional Coordinator

Christine is a Wangan Jagalingou woman.  She has lived and worked in Katherine for 26 years and is well connected in the region. She is an educator and works in community development. She is interested in health justice and culturally safe health care.

0417 883 450
e Christine.Butler@ntphn.org.au or RegionalCoordinator@ntphn.org.au

Kylie Tune
East Arnhem, Regional Coordinator

Kylie is a long term Territorian with a background in nursing, midwifery, general practice and health research. She is interested in health equity, pathways to care and culturally appropriate health services.

t 0447 316 440
e Kylie.Tune@ntphn.org.au or RegionalCoordinator@ntphn.org.au

Outreach Staff Community Visits

Over the past three months, our staff have been taking the opportunity to travel out to remote communities to see first-hand what it is like for our health providers when they are out in community.

During each visit, the Outreach Health Services team have the opportunity to tour the clinic, accommodation facilities and surrounding amenities. The visit also gives the team the opportunity to introduce themselves to the clinic manager and staff members, and provide an overview of what the Outreach Health Services team do to support the program.

The clinic manager and staff members share information regarding clinic operation, community demographics and information regarding other health providers who visit the community to provide services.

Travelling with the NT PHN visiting allied health providers gives the team the opportunity to gain more of an insight into each profession and what delivering services in a remote community looks like for them.

On completion of each Outreach Visit, the team compile a visit report which includes photographs and a summary of all the information gathered during the visit. The reports are made available to the Regional Coordinators and other staff across NT PHN.


Please see below a sample of photographs taken on our most recent visits:

Areyonga Community Store painting on a recent visit by Haryati

Hermansberg Health Service

Outreach member Haryati with the Clinic manager at Lake Nash Clinic

Charter before departing to Lajamanu

Darwin Podiatrist, Patrizir Haidley servicing in Adelaide River

Outreach member Terika with Grace Dodson the Aboriginal Health Worker at Peppimenarti

Continuous Service Improvement

The Outreach Health Services team have been considering a number of ways to improve service delivery and have focused on strengthening relationships with all key stakeholders. This is being addressed through the implementation of several continuous improvement strategies.

During the local level needs assessment process, we received a number of requests for improved advertising and marketing of outreach visits to communities. We also received feedback from host health organisations in relation to improved understanding of the roles of the visiting allied health professionals and what each discipline can offer when visiting communities. In response to this valuable feedback, we are currently in the process of re-designing a set of posters to advertise the outreach health services program. A set of information sheets describing each allied health profession is also under development.

These resources will be distributed to both providers and host health organisations soon.

Cross Cultural Training Workshop

NT PHN Outreach Health Services team are offering all visiting allied health service providers the opportunity to attend a Cross Cultural Workshop. The workshop is free of charge and we are very pleased to be able to offer this session in both Darwin and Alice Springs.

Darwin
Date: Friday, 7 September 2018
Venue: Ibis Room, 23 Albatross Street Winnelie
Time: 8.30am - 2.30pm

Alice Springs
Date:
Friday, 2 November 2018
Venue: Centre of Remote Health, 5 Skinner Street, The Gap NT
Time: 8.30am - 2.30pm

RSVP by emailing the Outreach Health Services team at OHSP@ntphn.org.au

Land Permits

Did you know that the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1976 was the first attempt by an Australian government to legally recognise the Aboriginal system of land ownership? A lot of land in the NT is Aboriginal land. It is law and we must obey it when traveling through Aboriginal land or visiting Aboriginal communities.

Aboriginal land is privately owned, it is not Crown land or public land. In order to be able to visit communities, you need to make sure you have the relevant permit from the relevant Land Council.

Northern Land Council

The Northern Land Council (NLC) is responsible for administering the permit system for traditional owners in the Top End. Their website provides detailed information on permits and how to apply for them, please see www.nlc.org.au

Tiwi Land Council

The Tiwi Land Council is responsible for administering the permit system to enter the Tiwi islands Bathurst and Melville. This website is useful http://www.tiwilandcouncil.com/index.htm

Anindilyakwa Land Council

The Anindilyakwa Land Council is responsible for administering the permits to enter the Groote archipelago. This is the website https://www.anindilyakwa.com.au/about-us

Central Land Council

The Central Land Council (CLC) is responsible for administering the permit system for traditional owners in the NT parts of Central Australia. Their website also provides a lot of information and details on how to apply for a permit, please see www.clc.org.au

If visiting an ACCHO or Government service, you will still require a permit.

                                                                       

Good News Stories

Exercise Physiologist in Lajamanu by Chloe Douglas

Our Outreach Health Services Program funds allied health outreach services in remote communities, like Lajamanu. Here’s a great photo of Mr Burns and his partner from the small Central Desert community of Lajamanu working with Bodyfit NT as part of his rehabilitative journey. We fund Bodyfit NT to provide exercise physiology services to people in many remote communities to assist in the management and prevention of chronic disease.

Exercise Physiologist Chloe Douglas said, “During our visits to community, we’re lucky enough to meet and work with a range of community members to improve their health and wellbeing through exercise therapy. This picture shows Mr Burns and I completing gait re-training as a part of Mr Burns’ rehabilitation. We’re so proud of his progress so far and look forward to working further toward his individual health and wellness goals.”

 

Podiatry in Yuendemu by Sara Coombes

Since 2014, Yuendumu clinic has been hosting a week-long diabetes clinic twice a year. The clinic is run by a team of diabetes specialists, including an endocrinologist, diabetes educator, optometrist, podiatry team and dietician/nutritionist. They work together to provide holistic care and enable people with diabetes to get all of their health checks done in one place, over one or two days. The specialists bring different skills to the team, but also hail from different organisations, including Baker Institute, NT Department of Health and private businesses. 

Podiatry is especially alive and well in Yuendumu. Podiatrist Sara estimates that 85 per cent of people with diabetes in Yuendumu attend at least one podiatry visit a year, with many visiting each time the clinic is held. Following an increase in self-awareness and diabetic self-care, Sara reports clients’ use of protective footwear has increased by 50 per cent since 2014. Also, while ulcers and wounds are still evident, Sara says clients come in sooner and return for dressings more often than four years ago. The current focus in podiatry care for people with diabetes is to prevent lower limb amputation with early intervention and education. The week-long Yuendumu’s diabetes clinic is proving to be a useful tool in this endeavor. This podiatry service is supported by finding from the Australian Government through the PHN Program.

Pictured L-R: Sara from Twinkletoes Podiatry with other clinic team members Jabison, Vivienne, Vanessa, Dr Amy, Tim and Dr Ramessh.

If you would like to share a good news story in the next edition, email ohsp@ntphn.org.au . We would love to hear from you.

Reminders

Afterhours phone - The Outreach Health Services team hold an afterhours phone which is available before 8am and after 5pm. You can contact us on this number for any urgent matters regarding logistics on 0458 093 904.

Visit Activity Reports (VAR) -  Please ensure that all VARs are submitted seven days following the completion of a trip. If you notice any errors or incorrect information, contact the Outreach Health Services team so that amendments can be made before completing the VAR.

Outreach Management System (OMS) - Ensure that all visit dates are in the OMS, this will ensure that all logistics can be booked in a timely manner. This is important as this information will also be included in the Department of Health joint Outreach Services Calendar. The Calendar can be found on the DoH website.

New Providers - If you have a new provider who is due to start delivering Outreach Health Services contact the Outreach Health team as soon possible to allow time for the induction checklist to be completed before travel. All PCIS and Communicare forms will need to be submitted at least two weeks prior to the first visit to ensure that all access can be arranged in a timely manner before the first scheduled visit.

Credentials - Ensure that all updated credentials are sent through to the OHSP email. We frequently audit these documents and will require all credentials to be in date before future Outreach Servicing can commence.

NT PHN Events Calendar

NT PHN hosts a number of events for health providers to increase their skills and knowledge.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) supports a strong workforce that meets community needs.

Explore CPD events on the NT PHN website.

Explore eLearning Health Topics available through the NT PHN website.

Save the date for the 2018 Compass and click here to subscribe for more updates

Survey Monkey

The NT PHN Outreach Health Services team would like to invite you to provide your feedback by answering a few short questions. This survey will only take a few moments of your time and will help us to keep improving our service.

Survey Monkey Link Here

We appreciate you taking the time to complete this survey and we are always keen to receive your ongoing feedback.

If you have any comments on the survey, contact us at OHSP@ntphn.org.au

SUPPORT SERVICES FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

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