2012/2013 Annual Report
Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation ICN 7460
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Contents Chairpersons Report................................................................................................................................. 1
Organisation Chart.................................................................................................................................... 3 Chief Executive Officer Report.............................................................................................................. 5 Administration Report............................................................................................................................. 7 Practice Manager Report........................................................................................................................ 9
Clinic and Healthy for Life Report.....................................................................................................11 Opening of the Day Centre Building...............................................................................................15
SEWB/BTH Report....................................................................................................................................17 Drug and Alcohol Services Report....................................................................................................19
Counselling Support Report................................................................................................................23
Drug and Alcohol Activities Program Report...............................................................................25 Dunjiba Substance Misuse Report....................................................................................................27
Cobra Bike Ride 2013.............................................................................................................................29
Thank you to all those that have supported and contributed to another successful year!................................................................................31
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Annual Report 2012/2013
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Chairpersons Report I am pleased to present you with the Directors Report and the Audited Financial Statements on behalf of the Board and Management of Umoona Tjutagku Health Service. 2012’/2013’ was a very challenging year for the organisation in its quest to deliver high quality Primary Healthcare Services to the Aboriginal People of Coober Pedy and its surrounding areas. Firstly, the organisation has had to manage and improve its service levels with a limited Financial Budget. Secondly the organisation finds its self in a very awkward position within the Community due to the fact that the Communities’ expectations
of the organisation, goes beyond the scope of the activities which the organisation is funded for. The third major challenge is the inability of the organisation to attract and retain quality Human Resources due to the lack of sufficient funding for this purpose. These factors are having a major impact on the day to day activities of the Health Service. But it with delight that I inform you that the Board, together with the support of the CEO and staff has been able to overcome some of these barriers and guide this organisation towards greater heights. This is clearly evident by the increase in the number of care episodes in all Programs conducted by the Health Service. These include the Clinic (Primary Healthcare), Healthy for Life, Drug and Alcohol Service Delivery, NGOTGP, Social and Emotional Wellbeing, Chronic Disease Management, Counselling Support Services and the Dunjiba Substance Misuse Program. Further, I am also pleased to inform you that the organisation has a very solid asset base and a strong balance sheet which shows that it is being managed efficiently and effectively.
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I am also pleased to inform you that the new Drug and Alcohol Day Centre is now in operation providing more services to a greater number of clients within the Community. The completion of the new Environmental shed has also helped to improve the service delivery of the organisation. Umoona Health is also working towards achieving ISO Accreditation within the next 12 months. I also wish to inform you that the Board of Directors of Umoona Health have not received any monitory or non-monitory benefits from the organisation in the capacity of being Board Members. Finally I take this opportunity to thank the Board, CEO, Management Team and all staff of Umoona Health for all the effort put in to bring the organisation to its current position. We as an organisation would strive to continuously deliver high standard of Primary Healthcare to the Aboriginal People of this Region.
David Hunter Chairperson
ROBIN WALKER Vice Chairperson
PATRICK LARKINS Board Member
CHRIS WARRIOR Board Member
DILSHAN PERERA Secretary
Priscilla LARKINS Chief Executive Officer
LILLIAN FATT Board Member
Annual Report 2012/2013
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Organisation Chart Umoona Tjatagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation ICN 7460
Board Chief Executive Officer Accreditation Officer
Executive Assistant
Director of Clinical Services Clinic Manager
Practice Manager
Senior Registered nurse
Medical Receptionist
Midwife
Registered Nurse
Medical Reception Support
Child and Maternal Health Enrolled Nurse
Transport Officer
Registered Nurse
Registered Nurse Senior Health Worker Male Health Worker Female Health Worker Chronic Disease Coordinator
DAS Manager
Aboriginal Liaison Healthy for Life Coordinator
Male Health Worker Female Health Worker
Aboriginal Liaison
Environmental Health Officer
Business Services Manager
RN3/Team leader (NGOTGP)
Counsellor (NGOTGP)
Finance Officer Payroll Officer
Reception/Admin Support
RN1 (NGOTGP)
Dunjibar Substance Misuse Worker
Activities Co-Ord (NGOTGP)
Receptionist
Dunjibar Substance Misuse Worker (PT)
Substance Misuse (NGOTGP)
IT/Communicare Support
Male Hygiene Worker
Female Health Worker
Cleaner
Female Hygiene Worker Part-Time Cook DAS Cleaner
Male Health Worker Male Health Worker
Admin Support Officer
Maintenance Officer Maintenance Support Officer
SEWB/Bringing Them Home DAS Client Mentor
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Annual Report 2012/2013
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Chief Executive Officer Report Welcome to the 2013 Annual General meeting for the period 2012 – 2013. What a great year it’s been! This year we have again seen some dramatic improvements and changes within the organisation. Umoona Tjutagku health service continues to always strive to improve the quality of services delivered out into the community and improve in the gaps. I wish to inform you all that Umoona Health has successfully passed our Accreditation for the next 3 years. It has been a team effort by all staff and H-Med Consultants who have provided high quality support throughout this time. Throughout the year staff were continually provided with internal training on ways to provide a more culturally appropriate service that enables them to better improve in the service delivery, and for personal professional development. Staff are continuing to provide a comprehensive Primary Health Care service and education to clients in the community. Staff retention has been a big challenge with Umoona Health due to the fact that staff continue to leave the organisation as soon as their training is completed. Nursing recruitment too has been difficult yet again with most applicants coming from overseas. But we have continued to use Agency Nurses throughout this time to provide support to the clinic. The Clinic staff continued to advocate for client care and management in the Community. We were also successful in recruiting a new Practice Manager who comes with high quality experience working in this area. Michael has provided high quality administrative support and guidance to the Clinic staff. Throughout my time here as the CEO of Umoona Health I have been giving people within the community an opportunity to progress within a work place and learn new skills. I must say that I can stand here today and be proud of those people in trying to improve in their lives and make a difference for their families, communities and children. There
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have been ups and downs in this process but I believe we must give people an opportunity to succeed. If you look around the Community, Umoona Health is the fastest growing organisation that has a majority of Aboriginal People working within the organisation successfully. Staff may come and staff may go, but this is a natural process that happens in all Organisations.
Ongoing Programs: • SA Dental Program and Allied Health Services from Flinders Far North and Country Health SA. • Pharmacist Visits. Further Projects for next year: • Seek funding for improvements of current premises to increase car parking facilities for clients and staff. • Extra funding for Doctor Services before the end of Financial Year.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Board and staff for continuing to support the organisation to get to its best and providing our clients with the best health outcome. They have worked extremely hard and have supported one another to achieve a great outcome. We still have a long way to go but things have improved over time dramatically. Without the support of the Board and staff this would not happen. I look forward to another successful year.
Priscilla Larkins Chief Executive Officer
Highlights for this financial year: • The opening of the new Drug and Alcohol Day Centre. • 5% increase in funding this year. • The COBRA ride from Oodnadatta to Coober Pedy. • 3 year Accreditation through AGPAL. • Visit from the Dialysis bus to provide ongoing treatment for our clients that are living in Adelaide and Port Augusta and the program was out in place for a clients to be able to visit home and family. • Increase in the number of ENT Specialist visits. • Purchase of new Program bus. • Purchase of new land next to the Day Centre for future development. • Taking out the Award for the South Australian Nurse and Midwifery Excellence Award for 2013. • Glenys Dodd taking out the Gladys Elphick Award for 2013. The committee was impressed with the work that Glenys does, the way in which she goes above and beyond the call of duty and her obvious love and care for the community.
Annual Report 2012/2013
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Administration Report The 2012’/2013’ Financial Year has been a very challenging year for the Admin Team in many different ways. Firstly, we had to manage a very limited budget whilst ensuring that the service delivery to the Community was at its usual high standards. Close monitoring of the finances coupled together with improvements made to existing processes and work-flows ensured that the organisation has ended the Year with a very healthy Balance Sheet and Asset Base.
Payroll, Finance, General Admin & Legislation and Project Management.
A 35% increase in the organisation staff numbers during this period was another major challenge for the Admin Team during this period since we have had to manage this increase with the same number of Admin staff. This has put a
We are also pleased to inform you that the Admin Team, together with the help of the CEO and other Managers are working towards ensuring that the organisation receives ISO Accreditation in the near future. Work related to ISO Accreditation has been
lot of demand and pressure on staff within the Team in terms of high work-loads relating to HR, Payroll and general Admin duties. But we are happy to state that this additional work load has been handled by the Admin Team in a very professional manner by delivering a positive outcome in relation to staff related matters.
The organisation has also delivered continuous HR related training to all staff on a Quarterly basis to increase the awareness of staff towards organisational Policies and Procedures as well as to help them comply with current legislative requirements. This has resulted in a lesser number of staff grievances, OH&S issues and related matters. The Admin Team was also has been instrumental in planning and implementing a continuous professional development program for all staff within the organisation by identifying and coordinating training based on individual requirements of staff members. Most staff members received external training during this period in order to up-skill themselves and provide a better service to its clients. Most members of the Admin Team too have successfully completed training relevant to their field of work which includes
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ongoing and we are confident of achieving this objective by March 2014’.
We are also pleased to inform you the successful completion and opening of the new Day Centre on Hutchinson Street, which has given more visibility, space and access to our clients for receiving services through our organisation. It is with pleasure that we also inform you the completion of the new Environmental Health Shed and the refurbishment of the Healthy for Life building which will help the organisation deliver a better service to the Community through the expansion of its Programs. The Admin Team had to put in a lot of long hours and hard work to ensure that these projects were completed within the given times periods and within the allocated Budget .
PRISCILLA LARKINS Chief Executive Officer
KAYLENE O’TOOLE Receptionist
ADELA PAZ Finance Officer
SHAN RODRIGOIT JAMES TUMAPANG Communicare Support Officer Maintenance Officer
RICHELLE BORRETT Payroll Officer
LAURA LARKINS Admin Support Officer
MAREE BURGESS Cleaner
YUSHARNI PERERA Cleaner
PAOLO BULOTANO Maintenance Assistance
We are also proud to inform all of our stakeholders that the organisation has been found to be governed in a sound manner by the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) which conducted an Audit in August 2012. Umoona Health was found to be having good Governance Practices and there were no irregularities found during this Audit which gives the organisation a thumbs-up in terms of following proper Policies and Procedures in its day to day operations. We are also privileged to have a very competent Board of Directors and CEO who continuously strive to ensure that the organisation exceeds its delivery expectations by providing a transparent and ethical service to the Community and reporting to its Funding Agencies. We are pleased to state that the organisation continues to provide the Board with Governance, Finance, HR and related training on an Annual basis to help them to be up to date with the latest Legislative and Governance requirements.
suitable wages and offer housing assistance has been a major barrier with regard to this matter, which is also one of the major risks facing the organisation at present. Unless we work with OATSIH and other Funding Agencies to address this issue on a priority basis, this risk will not be eliminated in the near future. We have made plans to raise this major issue with our Funding Agencies before the end of 2013’.
One of the major challenges faced by us during the 2012’/2013’ Financial Year is in relation to attracting suitably qualified staff to the Health Service. The lack of sufficient funding to pay
Dilshan Perera
I also take this opportunity to thank the Board, CEO, Senior Management and all staff for the support provided to our Team during the 2012’/2013’ Financial Year, without which we may not have been able to achieve many of our goals. We would also like to assure all of our internal and external stake-holders that we would endeavour to provide a high level of service in a consistent manner throughout the coming years. Thanking You,
Business Services Manager / Company Secretary
The newly completed Environmental Health Shed
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Practice Manager Report Friendly and Caring Clinical Service Our clinical Services are provided by Locum Doctors, Allied Health specialist, Registered Nurses, Midwife, Aboriginal Health Workers, Pharmacist, and visiting Dental team. These services are supported by a Director of Clinical Services, Clinical Manager, Practice Manager, Medical Receptionist, Transport Officer and Aboriginal Liaison Officers whom make it possible to achieve the quality of work each day. By providing service in an interprofessional team, the clients benefit from the expertise of each team member as well as from the collaboration of the team.
During the year under review, number of GP hours increased and number of individual patients increasing whilst the episode increased by 45% compared to year 2011/12. It is also noteworthy that recorded the highest number of visiting specialist on this year and continued to provide a comprehensive range of medical services under one roof. Excellent GP Hours The multidisciplinary GP team brings diverse and distinctive services to the clients as well as developed clinical skills to the staff throughout the year. SA Health funding for additional GP hours supported to have eighteen GP visits this year in our Health Service. These visits have mostly been filled by Dr. Stewart Martin who has been a regular visiting GP for several years. Dr. Jodie Whillas and Dr. Judy McDonald visited twice under this funding. Dr. Richard Buzzcott and Dr. Neville Carlier bridged the balance two visits under the SA health funding which were enable us to optimizing a better GP mix during year 2012/13.
MSOAP-ICD (Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program-Indigenous Chronic Disease) has also recognised the need for more GP visits to specifically target Chronic Disease Prevention and Management. Our two long-term experiences female GPs Dr. Jodi Whillas and Dr. Judy
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McDonald provided eight visits of four days each to assist our clients with their Aboriginal Health Checks as well as Chronic Disease Care Plans. Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia (AHCSA) has been given tremendous contribution to the Health Service by providing Dr David Scrimgeour as a regular GP to provide expertise community health service and empower our clinical team. Dr. Scrimgeour has added five GP visits of four days on each month since January 2013, and his service will continue till 31st of December 2013.
With the support of the four GP visits provided by the RDWA, this financial year delivered thirty five GP visits which have recorded 67.3% of GP availability per month at the end of the financial year. Specialist
• Asthma /Respiratory Clinic- run on advertised dates on Tuesday and Thursday mornings by a Respiratory Nurse and Respiratory Physician visited to health service on each quarter • Occupational Therapy- assisting community members in developing strategies to help them manage activities of daily living safely • Monthly Clinical Psychology visits- assisting clients with Chronic condition in learning and developing coping and managing strategies regarding their health condition • Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist and audiology visit and follow-up appointments including arranging ear operation for our clients in the community (adults & children) with Chronic Ear Disease • Additional Allied Heath visits including physiotherapy, dietician and podiatry • Ophthalmologist and Optometrist visit biannually
With the principal support from the Rural Health Outreach programme and the MSOAP this year the health service has conducted various specialists clinic specially targeting chronic disease clients including: • Endocrinologist and Diabetes Educator visit to provide review & support to our clients in the community with Diabetes
We continue to provide our Dental service and S100 pharmacy. We have also had the opportunity to host the mobile clinical service such as Dialysis Bus twice this year at Umoona Health making it possible for some of our people having regular dialysis, we also referred our clients to mobile clinical services such as SA Hearing, BreastScreen etc. Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS) is continued and for our clients who want to see specialist health professional, test or surgery
Challenge Decreases of the subsidiaries for GP visit are continuing in year 2013/14 as well. Both SA Health, MSOAP and RDWA have drastically drop their funding for GP hours in the next financial year. Funding reduction compared with previous years has had significant effect on specialist services as well. New ICD Outreach programme has been introduced instead of MSOAP and ICD outreach but funding for has been reduced compared with combine funding available last year, which result to prioritise the specialist services provide by us. However, Umoona Tjutagu Health Service manage to secure Four Endocrinology and Respiratory Physician visits, five Physiotherapist, Podiatrist and Psychiatrist visits, a Dietician visit to the year 2013/14 Remedies & Sustainability Evaluating current partnerships and seeking potential future partnerships will help us maximise our outcomes given our limited resources. We have already started on focusing on developing Care Plans and ATSI check to ensure wellness of the client and the community as well as generate healthy revenue base to the organization which could be able to use to get more GP hours and specialist visit in future. We need to continue to be creative and to utilise the skills we have as a collective to be the most efficient, effective and forward thinking health service.
Michael Fernando Practice Manager
Annual Report 2012/2013
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Clinic and Healthy for Life Report The services of Umoona Health Clinic and the H4L team have greatly improved within the year and they will keep improving until all our clients get better.
KWA GYAN Healthy for life Coordinator
There have been improvement in all aspects of client care and most of our clients voice it out. Even our visiting doctors say it. We have got clients saying to us ‘I do not feel as tired any more these days’, or I feel better these days’. Comments like these make us feel happy knowing our clients are feeling better because that is the most rewarding part of health care work. Some of our programs include: Women’s health, Men’s health, Child health, Antenatal care and Chronic disease management.
• Our average birth weight has increased by 0.131g since July 2013 • Most of our clients who have blood pressure, now have their blood pressures close to normal as possible • 98.5% of our children clients are fully immunised • Adult health checks have increased by 11% since July 2013 • Adult health checks alternative has increased by 10% from the 2nd quarter • There was only 1 low birth weight in this quarter as compared to 4 in the 2nd quarter
Chronic disease prevention • We have achieved great positive outcomes regarding our clients health and we did this through client centred care, constant education and deep listening to our clients. We listen to our clients and get feed -back
from them to determine how they want their care done. Due to this feedback
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• Our diabetes clients who have chronic disease assessment completed have increased by 9%. Team care arrangements have increased by 12% and care plans have increased by 4% as compared to the 2nd quarter. We would like to ensure all our clients have care plans done in the next quarter because that is how we can determine if any of our clients is at risk of having chronic disease complications. With early detection and early intervention we can avoid a lot of complications
JANINE LEBOIS Child and Maternal Health Nurse
GLENYS DODD Senior Aboriginal Health Worker
• Our diabetes clients who have HbA1cs done have increased by 39% as compared to the 2nd quarter. This is a very good achievement and we need to keep it up. By the next annual general meeting, we would like to ensure that all our diabetes clients have their blood sugars below 10mmol/L and HbA1c at 7% or lower. This will help with the prevention of diabetes related complications such as heart diseases, kidney diseases, eye problems and many other diseases that are related to poor blood flow • At the moment, 55% of our diabetes clients have their HbA1c reduced to 7% and we hope to have the other 45% reduced too. This is a very good achievement and can get even better because our clients are getting better understanding of diabetes and are eager to reduce their BSLs
ROBERT HELE Senior Aboriginal Health Worker
JOSIE WARRIOR Aboriginal Liaison Officer
as asthma; diabetes; high blood pressure; heart problems and how to prevent complications. We do explanation of test results to ensure our clients understand their results. We work collaboratively with our clients to ensure positive outcomes. We listen to them; we get feedback from them to determine how they want their care done so we can meet their needs.
The newly refurbished Healthy For Life reception area
• Our average HbA1c has reduced from 9.2% in the 2nd quarter to 8.4% in this quarter. We are looking forward to reduce it further to 7% as that is our target for every diabetes client to ensure they are safe from diabetes complications • Our chronic heart disease clients who’s BP have reduced has increased by 10% from the 2nd quarter. It will increase by 20% by next quarter with more follow ups and education We give our clients education regarding chronic disease prevention, we follow them up in the community; we do check- ups and education regarding better understanding of conditions such
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Clinic and Healthy for Life Report Asthma
Service is telling you that, you or your children do not have to have that chronic illness even if it is in the family. Having it should not be a must because it can be prevented. If you already have the chronic disease, we can work with you to prevent it from getting complicated. Mums, Bubs and Kids Health & Wellbeing Mums, We work together with you, helping you and your family through pregnancy, birth, and the first growing years of your little ones’ lives. The Team can support you to make healthy choices for you and your family. We support you with:
We also do asthma clinics. During the asthma clinics, we do spirometer test on our clients to determine their lung functions so that the respiratory physician can use the results for intervention. Further, we give asthma education for medication management and the prevention of attacks on our clients. Child health We are trying to protect the children in this community from having chronic diseases. Hence we do child health checks for early detection and early intervention. We encourage parents to come in with their children for their health checks to be done. It may take about forty minutes of your time but it is very rewarding. Those forty minutes could be the key to your child’s chance of avoiding a chronic disease that may be in the family. It may be through that your family has a history of chronic illness which puts the whole family at risk of having that illness. However, the healthy for life team at Umoona Tjutagku Health
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• education regarding pregnancy, child growth and development • child immunisation and health
clients because ears are so vital to language, families, stories; learning and it help people to be safe and strong. We give the credit to NACCHO for imparting such great knowledge to us to better the health of people in this community. With this knowledge we are able to improve the ear health of our people through otoscopy, audiometry and tympanometry. Our health professionals are well trained for the job. Finally we would like to keep working with you using client’s centred culturally appropriate care. Hence we need your feedback to achieve this aim.
Thank you all
Kwa Gyan, Acting Clinic Manager
• education on breastfeeding, starting solid foods & nutritional education and support for young mothers and children support Ear health: The newly refurbished Healthy For Life building
We do ear health checks for both adults and children for early detection of ear infections and prevention of complications, to improve hearing and better child’s health, education and social life. With Glenys Dodd and Robert Hele as leading ear health practitioners, our healthy for life team has done a great job with ear health in the last quarter. We are passionate about the ears of our
Annual Report 2012/2013
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Opening of the Day Centre Building
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Annual Report 2012/2013
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SEWB/BTH Report Social and Emotional Wellbeing and Bringing Them Home (SEWB/BTH) The SEWB program has continued to develop further into looking at the needs for Aboriginal people within the Coober Pedy Region to identify the needs for culturally specific services that take into account their holistic concepts of health, their spiritual and cultural beliefs and the contexts of their lives. Throughout the 12 month period we have had some changes in staff with Sharon Graham moving on and Vesna Necmeskal taking up the role. Since the July 31, 2012 Sharon has been full on working alongside Dora and the Drug and Alcohol team with client counselling and harm minimisation programs in the community. There has been significant time spent with grieving clients due to all the funerals that have happened over the past 12 months.
SEWB has presented educational training around Mental Health issues held during internal training session. It was a great turn out for all staff. Everyone at Umoona Health supported the program on Mental Health week showing off their shirts promoting mental health week. Mental Health T-Shirts were bought for Mental health week, which was held from the 7th – 13th October 2012, everyone wore their T-Shirts all that week and it was fantastic. The morning tea was also a great hit. There were around 15 people who showed up for the morning tea and also it was great to see that other services too were contributing their support throughout the community during that week. Dr Cord Udy visited Umoona Tjutagku Health Service on 3 occasions and UTHSAC has now set up state of the art Teleconference facilities so that clients can have expert psychiatric care even in a remote location. With this new teleconference facility Dr Cord Udy seen 18 individual clients and conducted 40 interviews.
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For the next 12 months I would like to aim to further develop and promote; • Developing and planning of health promotion and Drug and Alcohol programs. • Provide counselling including: Financial Counselling and Grief and loss counselling. • Liaise and advocate with other organisations including Housing, Centrelink, Funeral costs, Financial problems, Domestic Violence and Mental health Issues.
• Liaise with mental health clinicians including psychiatrists Dr Nigel Cord Udy and Dr Adriana Lattanzio in order to book personal appointments or by Tele Psychiatry. • Organise Ngangkaris for people needing traditional Healing, to have their homes cleansed or work places cleansed or family reunion services and art and cultural activities. • Social Support and Resilience. In order to achieve optimal outcome I will be focusing on team-building, motivation, meeting new people, and building cultural awareness and confidence.
Suhara Perera
Social and Emotional Wellbeing/ BTH Social Worker
Annual Report 2012/2013
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Drug and Alcohol Services Report Our aim is to deliver a drug and alcohol treatment service that helps reduce drug related harm for individuals, families and Aboriginal people of this community. We also aim to provide a high quality alcohol and drug treatment service, and to ensure that our service meets the specific needs of clients such as women, youth, men, families with children. We endeavour to support clients through their journey through referrals to both internal and external services such as legal, employment, medical, child and family care, and housing. We also have the capacity to deliver appropriate services and treatment to clients with complex health and social needs including mental illness. This year, 2012– 2013 main highlight was the opening of the Drug and Alcohol Day Centre on 6th May 2013. In an inspiring Ceremony Priscilla Larkins, CEO, UTHSAC accompanied by Federal Minister Warren Snowdon, MP, State MP Lyn Breuer and various funders and supportive organisations opened the new Day Centre in front of a crowd of 300 onlookers and supporters. This gives UTHSAC Drug and Alcohol Services to enhance existing service and continue to assist clients and community to get involved in its regular Men’s and women’s groups, Art, craft, music programmes, bush trips, camps and harm minimisation support groups so that clients can either abstain from alcohol and drugs or reduce harm through a supportive diversion approach. Appropriately qualified staff were also recruited as follows, Drug and Alcohol Manager, Drug and Alcohol Nurse, Activities Coordinator, Substance Misuse Worker and Cleaner. The increase in staff numbers and the availability of space to hold activities and counselling has helped in achieving high numbers of clients recruited into our programs. Since then some staff members
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have since moved on, however, the good work still continues on a daily basis we would like to commend them for their hard work. The process of putting quality improvement systems in place is in progress and we are aiming to achieve this by March 2014. The Drug and alcohol team is in the process of putting processes in place in order to meet the ISO: 9001 accreditation requirements. In order to maintain a high quality workforce, we have embarked on up skilling our staff members so that the quality of service is maintained through continual development of staff and to maintain staff professional skills. This year Donna Bailes – Substance Misuse Worker and Michael Lipstey – Drug and Alcohol Male Worker were enrolled in the Strong Spirit Strong Minds (Aboriginal alcohol and Other Drugs Program) Certificate III, and they will be qualified in November 2013. George Laslett – Counsellor attended the Managing Comorbid, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder and Motivational Interviewing training. Dora Mushongera is currently doing Diploma of Community Services, Alcohol Other Drugs and Mental Health. All staff members have been trained in Safe Care of Intoxicated People. Currently we are working with AHCSA and DASSA to increase staff awareness in utilising relevant evidence based practices and guidelines.
DONNA BAILES Substance Misuse Worker
MICHAEL LIPTSEY Drug and Alcohol Health
Worker JOSE KURIAKOSE Registered Nurse
Current Programs Shower Program – 8:30 – 11:30 am This is a harm minimisation program where clients attend in the mornings to attend to their personal hygiene. This program gives staff an opportunity to refer clients to the clinic for health problems and also provides hygiene facilities to transient clients who are homeless. Breakfast Program – 9:00 – 11:30 am This program follows on immediately after the shower again as a harm minimisation program for drinkers who sometimes start drinking without eating. Vitamin and Thiamine tablets are given to clients in this program. Brief interventions, education sessions are also presented by staff to educate clients on the harms of alcohol to the body. Assertive Outreach/DAS Check visits Team up with Housing SA to target the homeless and the transient clients who live rough around Coober Pedy. Offer health checks and attend to health problems and refer as needed to the clinic and other agencies. Early intervention – Youth Basketball Program This program targets children and their families. In February 2013 Ray Mtasa Events Coordinator developed the UTHSAC Basketball programme at the electric light basketball courts near the Greek Club; this has been a great success with
ANTHONY LINDSAY Drug and Alcohol Health Worker/ Mentor
DAMIEN RIESSEN Receptionist
50 regular students playing with the largest attendance being 70 children. At this programme guest presenters such as Paul Elliott( AHCSA), Jimmy Perry (ADAC) and mentors speak and encourage the young people. Thanks too to the volunteers who help especially Bonna Aretas, Rowana Wardel and staff who attend. School Program (twice every quota) Umoona Tjutagku DAS staff attended the school 8 times to present materials on drugs, and their effects on the body, foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and specific drug information. Guest speakers who were involved this year to highlight concerns included Paul Elliot, AHCSA, Jimmy Perry, ADAC, Michael Colbung and Robert Champion, musicians Day Centre Activities Daily 10:00 – 2:00pm We have responded to our client’s suggestions that they needed more activities at the day centre. This year activities are run daily in our new activities centre for men and women’s groups. Women’s group meet on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays for dot painting, knitting and jewellery making. Bush trips and cooking can be arranged as needed. Men’s group meet Monday for a harm minimisation counselling group, Tuesday for a bush trip and firewood fetching, Wednesday for Music Therapy group Thursday for Relapse prevention group with the counsellor.
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Drug and Alcohol Services Report Statistics this year July 2012 – June 2013 The following statistics will be comparing number of clients seen for individual .counselling in 2011, 2012 and 2013. 100 clients were seen in 2010, 95 in 2011, 106 in 2012 and 133 in 2013. There has been an increase of the number of people seen, which could be due to an increase in staff numbers and staff retention. We have seen an increase in our figures this year; this is because our staffing levels were stable throughout the year although we had some short periods where we did not have enough staff. We are continuing to train our staff in entering statistics on communicare as we would like the numbers to be accurate as possible. We are currently working with communicare specialist from AHCSA Beth Hummerston to improve the way we capture data. The problem of transient clients has somewhat reduced this may be due to the new Coober Pedy Alcohol Management plan which our staff were involved in developing. We still have a number of transient clients attending our hygiene program and breakfast program. The positive outcomes of the Liquor licence changes have been noticed in that: • Most clients are easy to engage with as they are sober • We have an increase in the number of local clients engaging with our service and group activities which gives us a more stable group of clients to work with
The negative outcomes of the liquor laws is that we are hearing reports that:
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• Inhalants – more incidences of our clients sniffing and inhaling glue, Links (deodorant) and white out.
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• There are also reports of backyard alcohol sales and consumption. Marijuana smoking is on the rise.
Individual Counselling for clients
90
60
Reports from our joint clinical meetings with Coober Pedy hospital indicate that there have been incidences of clients presenting with intoxication not from alcohol but other substances.
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0 2010
We wish to take this opportunity to thank the DAS
staff for providing our clients with the best service in order to meet their needs. They have worked so hard and have supported one another to achieve a great outcome this year.
2011
2012
2013
8000 7000 6000
Dora Mushongera DAS Team Leader
5000
Episodes of Care, all clients seen by DAS staff for different reasons in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013
4000 3000 2000 1000 0 2010
2011
2012
2013
2500
2000
Procedures Performed, Transient Clients by DAS staff
1500
1000
500
0 2011
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Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
2012
2013
Annual Report 2012/2013
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Counselling Support Report Kupa Piti Mamaku Health Group 2012-2013 The Kupa Piti Mamaku Health Group met monthly during this period of time mainly to plan ventures such as the Cobra Bike Ride and the Kornar Winmil Yunti Men’s Camp. At various meetings usually attended by about 12 men (half clients and half service providers) some guest speakers participated. They included: • Russell Coulthard speaking on Sports and Recreation; • Ivan Copley spoke on the Aboriginal Participation in the ABS Census; • Paul Elliott t from AHCSA speaking on drug and alcohol issues and concerns; • Jimmy Perry spoke on new cultural approaches to Drug and Alcohol issues; • Leonard Lester speaking on the work of Centacare and the Family Relationship Centre, Pt Augusta. Steve Simpson and Craig Rigney of Kornar Winmil Yunti also provided support, encouragement and resources to KPMHG by their talks and help in planning. At other meetings movies were watched and pool was played with Country Music blaring. Some meetings were purely planning and Men sharing aspects of their lives. With the opening of the new Men’s shed it proved a place where men could come and talk, share , play pool, relate to each other and discuss issues that count.
Umoona Tjutagku Health Service’s Kornar Winmil Yunti Men’s camp 13th to 17th May 2013 This year 10 adults and 5 staff drove to Thuruna and Trinity Haven area South of Tumby Bay to attend the KWY Men’s Camp. Here over 100 Aboriginal Men gathered to fish, talk, site see, and relate together. Led by Craig Rigney, Alban Kartinyeri, Clyde Rigney and Steve Simpson the camp was backed by a large eldership and the regular contribution of our Torres Strait Island cook Allan James’ Uncle Phil and his specialty the Cut Murray, a combination of Cape Barren Geese hunted next door; and tao, vegetables all cooked in a ‘ hungi’ style in 200 tin foil packs underground for about 10 hours. The men discussed the pros and cons of alcohol and drugs, using the motivational interviewing style of helping men make big decisions about whether to continue with alcohol and drugs. The fishing was a bit slow but Coober Pedy men caught some nice whiting. It was a great time to catch up with family and friends and there was great enthusiasm on the trip down and back of a similar camp later on. Robin Walker was honoured by the camp and was obviously respected by the staff as an elder. The moving stories of the last night of men’s struggles with self-medicating and life issues was inspirational and great talking matter as we returned to Coober Pedy. These events provide men with the impetus to reduce or abstain from alcohol and drugs.
Counselling
Outcomes
In July 2013 UTHSAC received the contract to provide Drug and Alcohol Counselling through DASSA funding. In September 2012 George Laslett moved from management role to drug and alcohol clinician.
One of our clients was struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and experiencing flashbacks, nightmares, lack of sleep, hyper vigilance( feeling on edge), paranoia, sweats, no concentration, down on himself, avoiding people and using alcohol to cope with it all. He was self-medicating on spirits with binge drinking. After screening, assessment and diagnosed he realised he was a dependent drinker and needed to abstain from alcohol and drugs altogether. He was referred to groups and entered counselling where he was referred to a psychiatrist to get medication to reduce cravings, and a plan to stop drinking was set in place. This included telling his friends and getting their support in quitting, getting all alcohol off the premises, barring himself from alcohol outlets, and not frequenting the usual places at times when he used to drink.
During July 2012 to 30th June 2013, 150 different clients were seen in 1108 counselling interviews at UTHSAC Drug and Alcohol and in Home Visits. It has been a privilege to see many participants reduce their alcohol and drug usage, some now totally abstaining and others referred to groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and UTHSAC and other organisations Diversionary programmes (such as Art groups, Men’s group, Women’s group, Bush trips, and rehabilitation centres). In 2013 -2014 we are hoping to set up more support groups for Harm minimisation of alcohol and drugs which will include education and ongoing group therapy as well as Relapse prevention groups to assist those who are abstaining from alcohol and drugs. There is a frustration that there are few if any suitable residential rehabilitation Services in South Australia to access by clients who want to attend serious rehab options.
He learnt relaxation techniques to cope with the anxiety and attended sessions with a psychologist to help with the Post Traumatic Stress including sessions of desensitisation. After 6 weeks of counselling with the Counsellor and student Social worker he was asking to attend more regularly for support. Eventually he has stopped using alcohol, has gained employment, and is coping better with his life and relationships.
George Laslett DAS Counsellor
Thanks to Alan O’Toole, Michael Liptsey, Robin Walker, and Garry Merryfull for their great contributions in this event.
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Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
Annual Report 2012/2013
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Drug and Alcohol Activities Program Report Electric Light Basketball
Begun in January 2013 the Basketball programme is an Early Intervention Programme related to engagement with young people and has the following outcomes: Exercise • Development and engagement with positive role models; • Drug and Alcohol education delivered by pamphlets, electronic media such as DVD’s shown and DAS guest speakers; • Development of social peer group and group bonding; • Fun and fitness; • Nutritious meals; • Diversion aspects in a safe and wholesome environment. The programme is run on Thursday nights from 6pm-8.30pm and attended by 45 -65 young people who enjoy themselves learning the skills of basketball, developing camaraderie and group cooperation.
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Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
There is excitement, involvement and purpose as the young people ranging in ages from 8 years to 17years are encouraged and attended by 5 UTHSAC Staff, volunteers and the CEO. We have also developed healthy eating programmes, Milo Cricket and Soccer programmes to augment these activities. Many of the participants have had contact with the Criminal Justice system and used alcohol and drugs in which this program has been an exceptional opportunity to engage with them and provide options for the future.
Ray Mtasa
Activities Coordinator
Annual Report 2012/2013
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Dunjiba Substance Misuse Report The Oodnadatta Substance Misuse program has been working closely with other community organizations to tackle the problem of drinking and drugs. 35 men and 28 women were seen by workers during this year. Services provided this year include information and education about substance misuse School education visits, talks were given at the Oodnadatta Aboriginal School about Binge drinking and Foetal Alcohol syndrome,. Support groups, Individual Counselling, Crisis Intervention, Cultural activities Mobile Assistance Program etc. Referrals were received from Housing SA, Centrelink, Courts, Correctional Services, AA, and SAPOL and the Oodnadatta clinic. Number of clients Male
Female
Total
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander clients
26
15
38
Non Indigenous clients
3
Total Clients
29
15
• Support to assist in developing COBRA 2 (Coober Pedy Oodnadatta Bike ride Adventure) Oodnadatta end. Now have 6 bikes in Oodnadatta and regular riders. BOBBY WARREN Substance Misuse Worker
CHRISTINE LENNON Substance Misuse Worker
This year has seen many highlights which included: • Men attending the Kornar Winmil Yunti Men’s Camp at Tumby Bay where they got new ideas about tackling smoking and developing their own Men’s group. • Development of Dunjiba Substance Misuse office on the grounds of Dunjiba Community Council, establishing it and working closely together with service providers.
3
• Regular visits to Coober Pedy to participate in the programmes, supporting clients in court and general Harm minimisation education along the way.
44
• Running MAPS at the Oodnadatta Gymkhana and also at the Bronco Branding. • Regular bush outings, fishing trips to Macumba Station and bush tucker activities. • Attendance in Coober Pedy with Kupa Piti Mamaku Health Group and Men’s and Women’s activities and camps.
• Counselling/Brief Interventions especially regarding strategies for cutting back on alcohol, harm minimisation and relapse prevention stopping drug use. • Initiating Alcohol free days in Oodnadatta where alternatives to alcohol are demonstrated. • Involvement in Consultations in regard to multi agency approaches to alcohol and drug issues in the area. • The involvement of Julia Lennon as an
Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol worker and now Christine Lennon who has strong links, experience and involvement with the Dunjiba Community.
Transport: • Transport to Court attendances, Coober Pedy Saints, and visits by Dentists and Allied health in Coober Pedy. • Support to SAPOL and Dunjiba Community Council regarding any Drug and alcohol issues. • Attending sessions with clients to Psychiatrist and Doctors. • To funerals and supporting family. Meetings: • Regular liaison with Dunjiba Community Council and Oodnadatta Substance Misuse Reference Group. • Assisting in finding new office premises. • Liaison with associated service providers in town.
Episodes of Health Care for July 2012 – June 2013 Male
Female
Total
Brief Interventions
204
186
390
Counselling / Family
108
96
204
Referrals to other agencies
280
132
412
Cultural group Day Trips (attendees)
42
32
74
Men’s and women’s group activities (attendees)
192
198
390
DAS Check Visits
234
124
358
School Visits
3
3
6
Counselling / Alcohol
124
110
234
Advocacy / Liaison
144
120
264
Needs: To continue the development of the (previously used by TAFE); complete with ADSL and office equipment so that Oodnadatta staff can have access to emails for better communication and toilets as soon as possible. Study: Certificate 111 in Primary health Care Manual Handling; Mental Health First Aid; First Aid
Bobby Warren
Substance Misuse Worker Dunjiba
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Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
Annual Report 2012/2013
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Cobra Bike Ride 2013
Following the success of the first COBRA Bike Ride from Coober Pedy to Oodnadatta 2012, Umoona Health developed another for early September 2013. Leaving on 2nd September the ride included 15 young people keen to enjoy the outback, camp out and develop friendships. This ride was from Oodnadatta to Coober Pedy and the young men bussed it over with the bikes in tow; stayed at Oodnadatta Aboriginal School’s gymnasium and practiced their skills on the bikes. After a good meal, and talk by Byron Wright (ADAC) and Paul Elliott (ACHSA) around drugs and alcohol the youth went to bed to prepare for the event. The ride left Oodnadatta with young people excited, equipped and ready for action. After tackling the unreasonably hot conditions we realised this would be too hot. On the ride Dilshan Perera, Michael Fernando riders Keonie Bailes, Nich Carmichael and Steve Murray pushed on but soon we decided to go to Mt Barry Station for a rest and a meal of T-Bone steaks.
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Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
After an interactive lecture and DVD on the effects of alcohol on the body and soul with the young men deep in thought and discussion we headed back to Coober Pedy. It was a great time but too hot. The young men enjoyed food, excercise, friendships, mentoring and Drug & Alcohol Education. Thanks to the workers Jose Kuriakose, Garry Merryfull and volunteers Dean Walker and our sponsors. Thanks to Priscilla Larkins and Umoona Tjutagku Health Service for the opportunity. Later a group from EDSPACE, Bennala, Victoria brought bikes up to Coober Pedy and they were being shared around for bike riders.
Annual Report 2012/2013
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Thank you to all those that have supported and contributed to another successful year!
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Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
Annual Report 2012/2013
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P.O. Box 166, Lot 8, Umoona Road Coober Pedy, South Australia 5723
Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
Phone: 08 8672 5255 Fax: 08 8672 3349 e-mail: umoona@uths.com.au web: www.uths.com.au