At this year’s fifth National Tackling Indigenous Smoking Summit held in Darwin, National Coordinator for Tackling Indigenous Smoking Professor Tom Calma presented Quit B Fit team leader Mick Dunn an award for his 10-year dedication to his role in Tackling Indigenous Smoking. WACHS CEO Darren Green was also awarded TIS CEO of the year at the event.
This week, Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service's Board and Executive team have held a planning forum to bring together the governance and leadership teams to refocus on the attainment of our strategic plan 2021-2023. With the change of leadership WACHS is refocusing its operations to decentralise authority to meet the obligations of the new rule book across the Wellington, Moree and Western Sydney communities.
The forum workshopped the new governance structures, program redesign and budget allocation for the next 12 months to enhance;
WACHS is aiming to strengthen its business model for sustainability and returning to placing community at the centre of our operations.
WACHS Board and leadership team at this week's forum
Pictured above is the Toomey-White Family: Kate, Justin, Goldie and Boston
Wellington Aboriginal Community Health Service (WACHS) recently was host to a Hear our Heart Bus visit. Last Wednesday 13 July, WACHS and Hear Our Heart staff performed 9 Children’s Hearing and Ear Check assessments at our Wellington clinic. Based in Dubbo, NSW, the Hear our Heart bus provides free ear health education, targeted hearing testing and free access to ear specialists to children in Dubbo and Districts.
WACHS are working to improve the Hearing Health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at an early stage. With the support from Hear our Heart and HEARING Australia our focus is to identify and improve the hearing health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adults in our communities.
Research and evidence by Australian Institute of Health and Welfare suggests that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s hearing loss is largely preventable and treatable. Raising awareness and knowledge about ear disease and hearing loss on signs and symptoms, treatment and services can help prevent and or identify early intervention opportunities.
Image Source: Ear and hearing health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 2021
WACHS Maternal and Child Health Nurse, Katie Vercoe said “Hearing loss in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is generally linked to middle ear infections “Otitis Media”, generally Otitis Media infections signs are subtle, and hearing loss is not identified until they begin school. Unidentified hearing loss in a child’s, and/or adult’s early stages can raise long term hearing loss effecting listening, learning, behaving, happiness, communicating, and long-term mental health.”
“The first three years of a child’s life are essential for developing all skills, including: learning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, language, communicating, health, school learning, social and psychosocial wellbeing. All these factors contribute on a child’s life, family, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and culture, and effects their futures.”
Pictured: Gladys Button (left) and Stephanie Wilson and Imogen Wilson (Right)
If you missed the Hear Our Heart bus, but would like to book in for a screening with a GP or our Health Practitioner, call reception on 6845 5400 to schedule an appointment.
Download the Newsletter Below:
Download the Newsletter Below:
Dear members, community members and other interested people,
Our names are Jack James and Paula Smith. We are currently special administrators of Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service.
We invite members, community members and interested parties to meet with us to hear about progress of the special administration and to ask any questions you may have.
To respect the privacy of those attending, the media will be absent from these meetings.
Download notice here:
Download the Newsletter Below:
My experience at WACHS has been above and beyond my expectations with rife opportunity for professional development. From day one we were welcomed by every staff member of the practice whether it be from reception to the cleaners, and treated as an equal member of the team. Something that I've loved at WACHS is the responsibility given to us, with certain days spent running the clinic or being entrusted with drawing up COVID-19 injections. It's been great feeling useful to the team as a medical student. I take away from WACHS valuable knowledge in my experience of witnessing a community based approach to holistic medicine and a greater ability to approach the health needs of Indigenous patients. In the survey project we conducted whilst here it became overwhelmingly obvious the appreciation that patients have for the health service here and the staff that run it. After my time here I can see why. Kind regards, James
My time at WACHS is one I'll always cherish. From our introduction to our departure the staff and community made our time such a welcoming and enjoyable experience. Within the week we were given the opportunity to participate in a range of activities, working with multiple health professionals in various fields. We gained valuable exposure to holistic medicine and how it can be implemented to create an inclusive and respectful culture for the community. I appreciated the level of trust WACHS had in us, guiding us from one-on-one teaching to eventually taking responsibility for various procedures and duties (covid vaccines, injections, wound care). We valued the level of support we received regarding our education in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, traditions, and health care which was delivered to us by our team leaders, valued staff members and those within the community. We loved being able to take part in staff experiences and felt like we were truly included within the WACHS family. Thank you for having us, Dilan
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