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Edition 1 – May | June | July 2016
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A message from our CEO
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Welcome to the first edition of the new Northern Territory PHN (NT PHN) North of 26° e-newsletter.
At NT PHN, we acknowledge the importance of keeping our valued key stakeholders and service providers up-to-date. We trust this publication, a quarterly e-newsletter, will keep you informed on key activities, achievements and latest news for the past quarter. In addition to this e-newsletter, our NT Primary Health Weekly e-newsletter will continue to be distributed every Wednesday which focuses on health professional education and event information.
On 1 July, we reached a major milestone – NT PHN turned one. Over the past 12 months of transition, we have worked hard to finalise delivery of some services, while continuing to embed health commissioning at the core of all we do (with our new TenderLink e-procurement portal now available). Through the commitment and hard work of our employees and valued stakeholders, we will continue to build partnerships to establish systems that support a collaborative approach to health planning, health system integration and workforce development activities.
In this first edition of our rebranded e-newsletter, we celebrate the achievements of the past year, and present a number of unique initiatives being delivered by dedicated service providers, touch on our approach to a recent NT PHN-led Workforce Health Planning Forum and After Hours Program Reflection Workshop, and share the candid story of a dedicated nurse delivering primary health care in the small rural community of Santa Teresa.
I hope you find this publication informative and an enjoyable read. Our next edition will be published in late September and we look forward to sharing more with you then.
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Nicki Herriot |
CEO – Northern Territory PHN |
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Above: Santa Teresa Health Centre (photo courtesy of Central Australian Aboriginal Congress)
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Creating partnerships to improve health care in the remote community of Santa Teresa
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Chronic Disease Nurse, Lynda Murphy, has dedicated the last five years of her nursing career to improving primary health care in the Territory. With a passion for helping members of remote Northern Territory (NT) communities to understand and manage their medical conditions, Lynda moved to Santa Teresa (Ltyentye Apurte Community) in December last year to work full-time for Central Australian Aboriginal Congress on behalf of Mpwelarre Health Aboriginal Corporation at Santa Teresa Health Centre.
“NT PHN provided me a New to the Territory Grant which was very helpful in relocating my personal items, and paid my flights and accommodation for the move. It will also contribute to the cost of some of my continuing professional development activities and provided opportunities for me to be relieved in my role to attend conferences.”
“Santa Teresa is a friendly, welcoming community and there is a strong sense of comradery, mutual respect and support within our team at the health clinic.”
With prevention better than cure at the forefront of her mind, Lynda has recently completed a graduate certificate in Diabetes Education and Management at Flinders University. The next step is to build on her credentials through the guidance and practical support of a mentor. Lynda hopes that she can educate and share knowledge on chronic diseases and preventative measures within the local community.
“I acknowledge that self-management of diabetes or of any other chronic disease is complex and there are many interrelated factors that can have a negative impact on one’s health outcomes. As a member of the Clinic Health Team, we aim to connect with the community members and provide chronic disease management and support that is sustainable and promotes knowledge and practical skills.”
Lynda also noted there are challenges working within a small team in a remote setting.
“Although we take turns, being on-call is hard – we generally have one weekend off in three. You can never really switch off and the fatigue and stress sometimes results from not knowing when and what you will be called out for.”
Like many committed health professionals delivering primary health care in remote communities, Lynda lives in Santa Teresa year-round, returning to her dual home base of Sydney and Brisbane for a break every few months to reconnect with family and friends.
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Program partners connect, reflect and shape after-hours primary health care for the NT
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On 1 June 2016, NT PHN invited their current After Hours Program partners to participate in a reflection workshop in Alice Springs. NT PHN staff and participants from Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation, Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation and Central Australian Health Service shared knowledge, experiences and insight into the daily realities of providing after-hours services across the Territory.
The participating partners shared areas of success, general challenges and areas for development which included the need for closer collaboration with external agencies to remove barriers and increased capacity and skills of after-hours service providers to improve service delivery.
A key outcome of the workshop was the recognition that social workers and Aboriginal health workers play an important role in the delivery of after-hours care, in addition to the more apparent role of general practitioners.
NT PHN has a commitment to continuing these workshops in the future to enable after-hours partners to connect their perspectives with the overarching objectives of the After Hours Program funding. The reflection workshop is a valuable opportunity for planning, monitoring and evaluating services moving forward.
For more information on the workshop or After Hours Program, please email NT PHN’s After Hours team at after.hours@ntphn.org.au
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Above: John Maher and Joan Dhamarrandji of Mitwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation
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Indigenous mental health DVD showcases culturally focused care
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The development and effectiveness of implementing culturally focused models of care for Indigenous peoples is being documented in a DVD, produced by the Aboriginal Resource Development Service (ARDS) and funded by NT PHN.
The ‘both-ways’ approach, successfully used by the Ngalkanbuy mental health team in north east Arnhem Land, operates on engaging and collaborating with Indigenous clients to deliver adaptive and tailored health services based on cultural viewpoints, beliefs and requirements. This patient-centred care model recognises the value of Indigenous knowledges and the unique context of Indigenous clients with mental ill-health.
The DVD showcases the skills of the Ngalkanbuy mental health team, the approaches to practice, and strategies for self-care that are essential in delivering informed and equitable services. Indigenous and non-Indigenous health professionals working in the NT will benefit from this educational and cultural resource, which aids understanding of working in culturally receptive and considered ways alongside Yolngu peoples.
Available in three formats – Yolngu Matha with English subtitles, Yolngu Matha with English dubbing, and English – the DVD is scheduled for release in October 2016 to coincide with Mental Health Week. Indigenous and non-Indigenous health professionals seeking employment in the mental health sector or wanting to understand and implement the ‘both-ways’ approach will also benefit from the DVD. NT PHN and ARDS will provide further information closer to the release date.
NT PHN and ARDS would like to acknowledge the support of Partners in Recovery and Mitwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation to develop the DVD.
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Above: Dr Danielle Stewart, Darwin LGBTI clinic founder
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Launch of first LGBTI clinic
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In a Territory first, Dr Danielle Stewart of Northside Health is paving the way in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or intersex (LGBTI) primary health, by offering a monthly specialised clinic in Coconut Grove (Darwin).
The clinic, led by Dr Stewart which commenced in June, offers patients the opportunity to see expert GPs in trans health and other LGBTI medicine, and is envisaged to be an ongoing monthly initiative. To identify the particular needs of the community and what would best service them, Dr Stewart has been working in partnership with Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council (NTAHC).
A successful clinic occurred between 20-24 June, with Dr Ruth McNair, Melbourne GP and chairperson of the Gay and Lesbian Foundation of Australia. The second clinic will run from 28-29 July with Dr Fiona Bisshop, a Brisbane GP with more than 300 transgender patients, who also provides HIV health care.
Dr Stewart says she would love people in Darwin to have access to Australia’s best LGBTI doctors in their home town. Currently many community members travel interstate to access simple GP services that are absent in the Top End, contributing to worse health outcomes and stress.
“I’ve seen the wonderful benefits to individuals and the sense of community when a clinic provides experienced LGBTI care,” Dr Stewart said.
To make an appointment or enquire about upcoming dates, patients and health care providers can contact the clinic directly on (08) 7999 7448 or email admin@northsidehealthnt.com.au
NT PHN congratulates Dr Stewart, the supporting GPs, and Northside Health for being proactive in implementing this innovative initiative, which offers Territorians who identify as LGBTI the opportunity to receive specialised primary health care being delivered by like-minded health professionals.
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Above: Photo courtesy of St Vincent de Paul Society (NT) Inc
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Darwin organisations collaborate on pilot program to help the Territory’s homeless
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The Homelessness Response Group (HRG) is a pilot program funded through the Partners in Recovery program, which aims to address the needs of the Territory’s homeless. Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has indicated that the NT has a disproportionately high number of homeless per capita than anywhere else in the Australia, with a majority of homeless identifying as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.
In collaboration with a range of key organisations, the HRG delivers coordinated and comprehensive support to individuals – many of whom have severe and persistent mental ill-health. Using a needs assessment tool that identifies the challenges and issues faced by an individual, clients are referred to relevant organisations which will collectively provide ‘wrap-around’ support with ongoing monitoring of their progress. Clients faced with accommodation or housing issues are given financial and material support to assist in the interim period.
The HRG has created a discussion platform for service providers to raise systemic concerns, identify opportunities to improve the participant journey, and consider sustainable solutions. The meetings have strengthened working relationships through a multi-level approach involving a steering group, decision-makers and case managers.
Through the outcomes of the meetings, clients have been offered participation in residential mental health programs, intermediate and long-term accommodation, access to the Personal Helpers and Mentors program, as well as support services from the Top End Mental Health Service.
The HRG program has welcomed the support of St Vincent De Paul, YWCA, Larrakia Nation, Mission Australia, The Salvation Army, Anglicare and TEAMhealth.
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Above: 2016 Workforce Health Planning Forum participants
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Workforce Health Planning Forum
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On 11 April 2016, NT PHN’s Health Workforce Branch hosted a Workforce Health Planning Forum in Darwin to help set strategic priorities and inform ongoing planning. A total of 26 participants attended, representing organisations and peak bodies who work on primary health care workforce needs, planning, education and training (including for GPs, nurses, allied health professionals, Aboriginal health practitioners and others), along with NT PHN Board members and staff.
The forum provided an opportunity for organisations with an interest in the sustainability of the primary health care workforce in the NT to share their views on supporting and developing the workforce, identify priority areas for action and determine potential actions that might contribute to progress.
The priority areas include collaboration, partnerships and networks, workforce planning, recruitment and retention, and education and training. Key themes identified for action were the need for collaborative planning processes, consistent and accurate capture of workforce data in a centralised location, and the benefit of strong partnerships with key stakeholders – particularly professional bodies – in moving forward.
Issues that are currently affecting, or may affect the NT primary health care workforce over the next three to five years were also discussed and captured to inform ongoing planning.
For more information on the forum and its outcomes, please email NT PHN’s Health Workforce Branch at workforce@ntphn.org.au
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Health Service District Maps
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NT PHN, with assistance from the NT Government Department of Health, have recently created two map resources showing the Territory's regions and health landscape to inform ongoing planning.
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NT PHN Strategic Plan
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View the NT PHN 2015-18 Strategic Plan which demonstrates our strategic intent and direction.
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Copyright © 2016 Northern Territory PHN. All rights reserved.
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Northern Territory PHN provides this publication as a free information service to subscribers and does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of third party information or for advice regarding external activities.
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Health Network Northern Territory Ltd operating as Northern Territory PHN
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Darwin
Stuart House, 5 Shepherd Street, 0800
Darwin PO Box 2562, 0801
t 08 8982 1000
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Alice Springs
Remote Health Precinct, 5 Skinner Street, 0870
Alice Springs PO Box 1195, 0870
t 08 8950 4800
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ABN 17 158 970 480
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