Summary
- A joint program run by TCHHS and Apunipima has won a Queensland Reconciliation Award
- The Cape York Kidney Care team and Apunipima address kidney disease in western Cape York
- The program has been running since 2019 and is the first of its kind in Queensland
A Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) team who work alongside a First Nations health service to tackle kidney care in Cape York has been named joint winners of a major state award.
Cape York Kidney Care (CYKC) and Apunipima Cape York Health Council won the Health and Wellbeing category of the Queensland Reconciliation Awards which were held in Cairns on Monday night.
The awards are held as part of National Reconciliation Week which runs from 27 May to 3 June.
The CYKC program was launched in 2019 with TCHHS staff working alongside First Nations Health Workers in six western Cape York communities – Weipa, Napranum, Mapoon, Aurukun, Pormpuraaw and Kowanyama, to address the high rates of kidney disease and kidney failure needing dialysis.
TCHHS nephrologist Dr Tahira Scott said the innovative model of care is the first of its kind in Australia. And it was reaping rewards with staff seeing significant improvements in both attendance and engagement at kidney appointments and improvement in kidney health outcomes.
She said outreach clinics were held at Apunipima’s facilities which are run by First Nations staff.
“The CYKC team works to improve health outcomes by empowering people in self-management of chronic conditions such as kidney disease and type 2 diabetes, with the pillar of the model being the involvement of a First Nation health worker or practitioners,” she said.
“This has led to endorsement by the local Aboriginal Shire Councils who welcome CYKC team into their communities.
“We recognise that partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations like Apunipima can achieve real success in patient-centric health outcomes.”
“We’re providing a gold standard nephrology service in the bush. Meaning those who see the CYKC team are receiving the same level of care you would receive in a city, through using a different integrative model of care which is culturally safe”.
“We are so proud to receive this reconciliation award and we believe this model is something that could be replicated in other non-urban health services around Queensland.”
The TCHHS team includes nurse practitioners, a rural generalist, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner, a dietitian, nephrologist and a coordinator.
Apunipima Chief Executive Officer Debra Malthouse said this partnership showed the strengths of each organisation in directly addressing these chronic health conditions in Cape York.
“We are focused on providing comprehensive primary health care to the communities we serve,” she said.
“Our staff on the ground are able to provide the link between the community and the visiting outreach clinicians, making patients feel comfortable and supported through their healthcare journey.
“I congratulate both the Apunipima and TCHHS teams on this award.”
TCHHS Executive General Manager (South) Michael Catt said working together with First Nations health partners like Apunipima was key to ensuring the trust and support of communities.
“We are focused on ensuring cultural safety is at the forefront of everything we do, while also delivering top level clinical services,” he said.
“This partnership is a fantastic example of how two health organisations can work together to improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”