Wuchopperen Annual Report 2020-2021

ANNUAL REPORT 2020-21

acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, the holders of our culture, memories, tradition and hopes.

chairperson’s report

It is now my third year as Chairperson of Wuchopperen and I am still excited by my role in this very important community-controlled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation. Wuchopperen continues to provide healing, healing support, allied health services, health and wellbeing, and advocacy to our community and clients. We align strongly with NATSIHA (Northern Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Alliance, based in North Queensland), QAIHC (Queensland Aboriginal & Islander Health Council) and NACCHO (National Community Controlled Health Organisation) which are local, state and national bodies with which we are affiliated. We also continue to meet regularly with government organisations at state level.

would like to express my appreciation to and for our Chief Executive Officer, Dania Ahwang, who sits at the table with many of these entities and represents us at the highest level.

This year has seen the Executive Team welcome some exceptionally skilled and familiar faces to the organisation. Rachael Ham has joined us as Deputy CEO and Tanya Robinson as Executive Director Child, Youth & Family; both have been a part of the Wuchopperen family for a very long time and have come to us with passion and commitment, and a true understanding of why Wuchopperen is here. These values, beliefs and energy have reinvigorated the way we do business.

During the year I was fortunate to be able to attend a day’s training of Cultural Connectedness and Responsiveness. This training was a recommendation from our Community and Culture Subcommittee to ensure that our practice within the workplace is culturally safe for our workers, our visitors and our clients. Our work towards establishing a culturally safe framework that is embedded within the organisation continues.

Our work of advocacy is an important one, particularly in light of COVID-19 and the national roll out of the vaccines. The world has changed dramatically, and we are endeavouring to negotiate this “new normal”. While we hope that things will go back to how they were, it’s increasingly more difficult to see how that would ever occur. Allow me to caution you to look outside and beyond the square. To examine, to explore and to question. Wuchopperen has a role to play in all of this, and we hope it will be as a lead agent in terms of addressing the issue with and for our people.

I look forward to catching up with community at our events or in our area, and to represent our organisation to the best of my ability. Meanwhile, until then keep strong and stay safe.

our strategic plan

empowering through people and workplace culture

Strengthen the sustainability of the organisation to support the growth and development of the community

Inspirational leaders in workplace culture, performance and resilience

Continue to build capability through upskilling of the Board and staff and strengthening of systems

engaged in collaborative connection innovative strength in performance

Internal and external communication that are open, honest, respectful and transparent

Providing streamlined holistic health and wellbeing services with seamless integration both internally and externally

Dynamic branding and influential in our community and across our sector at local, regional, state and national levels

Respectful trust-based relationship with the community

Value-adding alliances with community, organisations and individuals including political and philanthropic affiliations

Growing and evolving the holistic health and wellbeing services in response to community needs

Imaginative information and communication technology investment

Participate in inspiring research that contributes to demonstrable improvements in health and wellbeing

Board representation and protection of the interests of the community that Wuchopperen serves and the organisation which the Board governs Board and staff are clear and aligned to Wuchopperen’s strategic intent and performance expectations with regular feedback on performance at all levels Deliver best practice core and accessible business through policy, data and evidence based decision making

SANDRA LEVERS • CHAIRPERSON

board of directors

Wuchopperen is governed by a 10-person Board of Directors elected by Wuchopperen members. The Board of Directors set the strategic direction for the organisation and guide the Management Team to ensure all strategic priorities are met and the organisation continues to work towards the achievement of Improving quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

2020 BOARD PERFORMANCE REVIEW

In addressing our strategic priority, Strength in Performance, and particularly governance, our Board conducted its performance review in late 2020. The review assessed our Board against a best practice governance framework and identified where the Board is performing well.

Sandra Levers Chairperson 2018-2020 Re-elected Y Y 6/8 *1/2 *3/5 at 2020 AGM

Donnella Mills Deputy 2019-2021 Y Y 8/8 n/a

AGM

SUBCOMMITTEE

Maureen Mossman Director 2018-2020 Re-elected Y Y 6/8 *1/2 n/a at 2020 AGM

Norah Saveka Director 2019-2021 N N 7/8 1/2 *1/5

Sarah Addo Director

SUBCOMMITTEE

Those areas rated the highest include the Chair and CEO Relationship, Board Sub-Committees, Board and CEO Relationship, Monitoring of the Organisation and Board Culture and Dynamics. A key strength of the Board identified by the review is that the majority of the Board understands the needs of the community it serves. There were a number of areas rated as needing further attention and these include Board and CEO Succession, Board Meetings and Board Composition. The Board have implemented improvements in the following areas to address these areas of concern:

• Board Composition – whilst the election of directors by members is considered a strength area in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled sector, given the size and complexity of Wuchopperen, there is opportunity to review and strengthen the skills mix of the Board. This issue is being considered as part of the current constitution review as well as consideration being given to appointing skills-based directors to the Board’s subcommittees.

• Board and CEO Succession – this area was scored the lowest in the review, particularly given that a CEO succession plan was not in place. Since the Board Performance Review, a new Deputy Chief Executive Officer was appointed in December 2020 and a clear succession plan implemented for their transition into the CEO position. Further consideration of Board succession planning remains a focus for the Board and includes supporting governance training, not only in current directors, but also targets community members for future directorship.

BOARD

MONITORING OF THE ORGANSIATION

BOARD CULTURE & DYNAMICS

DECISION MAKING

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - LEGAL RISK IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITES DIRECTING & MANAGING

STRATEGY SETTING

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITES KEY STAKEHOLDERS

• Board Meetings – the review highlighted the Board Meeting’s disproportionate focus on operational matters and further streamlining of the agenda to place decision matters at the front of the meeting has since been implemented to address this issue.

A number of other areas rated lower than 3.5 out of 5, including director’s strategy and key stakeholder engagement roles and responsibilities, also still need the Board’s attention and actions to address have been incorporated into Wuchopperen’s business planning cycle. Overall, the review highlighted that the Board’s ability to accept change and drive change for better outcomes will be the key to strengthening Wuchopperen’s governance capability.

Sandra Levers

Maureen Mossman Donnella Mills Simon Costello Semara Jose Roderick Burke Norah Saveka Sarah Addo Gavin Ah Kee Solomon (David) Gela

Chairperson

ceo’s report

DANIA AHWANG • CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

As I reflect on another year, I am again extremely humbled by the strength and resilience of our community, not only here in Cairns and surrounds, but all through our beautiful country.

It is now going on two years since COVID-19 arrived in our world and has been a key focus area in our continued adjustment to the “new normal”. I pay tribute each and every day to each and every one of our inspiring directors and our amazing dedicated staff as we have survived another year of the worldwide pandemic known as COVID-19. I must also honour our community’s adaptability to constant changes that, whilst beyond our control, have been embraced in true reflection of our ancestral strength that makes us who we are today.

Throughout 2020/21, we have paid tribute to Wuchopperen’s founding principles through the further embedding of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and accompanying reinforcement of respect as one of Wuchopperen’s four core values. Under the leadership of our Board’s Community and Culture Subcommittee, all staff attended Cultural Connectedness and Responsiveness training during the year and our cultural mentor program has also been reviewed and strengthened. Complementary to our strengthening of culture, our code of conduct, based on our four core values of respect, leadership, accountability, and integrity clearly underpins how we at Wuchopperen achieve our strategic priorities for the best interests of our community. Innovation, as one of our four strategic priorities, has

seen significant improvements and upgrades to our facilities and our services along with our vibrant new logo clearly representing our community. By recognising community at our core at Wuchopperen, we are ensuring delivery on our other strategic priorities, Collaborative Connection and Strength in Performance. This year we have also heavily invested in our fourth strategic priority, Empowering through people and workplace culture, to ensure our longer term sustainability; and strength in leadership and development of our workforce. Our succession planning focus has continued for several of our key positions, and this has seen a seamless transition of several of our executive positions during the year as well as increasing our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander executive leadership to 60%.

We continue to grow our workforce with our delivery of several Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traineeships in Administration, Facilities, and IT, in partnership with VPG (Vocational Partnerships Group) Cairns. We are also extremely proud of our Strong Start program in collaboration with Australian Training Works. Our six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Bentley Park College and Trinity Bay State High School are completing schoolbased health traineeships as part of their Year 11 and Year 12 schooling.

As always, I want to again thank our Wuchopperen family for your continued dedication and commitment to keeping our generations growing strong.

wuchopperen in numbers

6888 CLIENTS HAVE RECEIVED A SERVICE

64,852 CLIENT CONTACTS

BETWEEN THE AGES 1 TO 5 ARE FULLY IMMUNISED

OF BABIES HAD NORMAL BIRTH WEIGHT (2500 - <4500G)

2906 TOTAL HEALTH CHECKS

71% WITH TYPE II DIABETES AND A RECENT GP MANAGEMENT PLAN OR TEAM CARE ARRANGEMENT 74% SMOKING STATUS RECORDED 59% ALCOHOL STATUS RECORDED

events

AUGUST 2020

Ash Barty Visit Our team had the opportunity to take six young tennis players up to Mossman Gorge to spend the day with World No.1 tennis player, Ash Barty. All players were involved in Wuchopperen Deadly Choices NAIDOC Tennis camp held in July 2019.

NOVEMBER 2020

Annual General Meeting

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2020 was held on Wednesday 25 November at Nintiringanyi Cultural Training Centre with over 50 people in attendance.

SEPTEMBER

2020

Child Protection Week Together with Hambledon House Community Centre, Centacare FNQ, Uniting Care, The Benevolent Society and Playgroup QLD, our Edmonton team held a stall to promote child protection week at Mt Sheridan Plaza offering fun and interactive activities.

NOVEMBER 2020

NAIDOC This year we held our annual NAIDOC celebrations online due to COVID-19 restrictions. All activities were live streamed to Facebook for the community to watch reaching a total of 3,978 people. Activities included traditional dancing with Boigu Island Dancers and the Minjil Dance Group, Men’s Camp Fire Yarn with the Kunjur First Nations Men’s Collective, Yarn with local artist Natasha Davui and a flag raising ceremony.

MAY 2021

NOVEMBER 2020

White Ribbon Day

Wuchopperen attended the White Ribbon Day Community Event at Harald Falge Park with the Manoora community.

MAY 2021

Reconciliation Week

Attended Messy Play with Playgroup QLD to celebrate Reconciliation Week.

Domestic Violence Prevention

Awareness Wuchopperen held a morning tea with guest speakers for community and stakeholders to come together to raise awareness.

MAY 2021

National Sorry Day On Wednesday 26 May, our Social and Emotional Wellbeing team organised a morning tea at Nintiringanyi Cultural Training Centre for our community to remember and commemorate National Sorry Day and the Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum.

FEBRUARY 2021

National Apology Day

Community Morning Tea

This year our SEWB team organised a morning tea for clients and staff to commemorate the 13th Anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations.

JUNE 2021

NAIDOC

MARCH 2021

International Women’s Day

On Monday 8 March we held a morning tea for staff and Elders to celebrate International Women’s Day

MARCH 2021

Children & Family Centre Open Day An Open Day for families was held to showcase services and programs available.

In 2020-21 we were proud to partner with two new organisations who share our vision of Improving quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

• Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG) – August 2020

• Tenants Queensland – December 2020

Celebrating with Djarragun and Parramatta State School students at their events.

covid response

RESPIRATORY CLINIC

Wuchopperen’s Respiratory Clinic officially opened in the first week of July 2020 with a Fever Testing Tent having been set up since early March 2020.

The Department of Health funded the onsite GP Respiratory Clinic (GPRC) with the contract extended to the end of 2021.

Ongoing successes include:

• Continuous review of infection control processes in all areas

• Mandating COVID-19 training including PPE training conducted by Aspen Medical

• Gate screening during local transmission

and lockdown periods with door screening at clinics following Wuchopperen’s COVID-19 Safe Plan

• Ongoing education and updates to staff regarding COVID-19

• Ongoing flexible working arrangements for staff during lockdown

• Leadership of the Board, Executive and Management Teams

• COVID-19 care packs provided for Elders with important information and resources to stay COVID safe

The continuous ongoing leadership at all levels of the organisation in successfully responding to the COVID-19 pandemic has strengthened the importance of maintaining and continuing to build the capacity of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations.

COVID-19 test results received for 2020-21

In February, the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Nations COVID-19 Response Team, visited for the first time at our Manoora clinics with their new dedicated COVID-19 testing van. During 2021, the First Nations COVID-19 Response Team visited our Manoora site various times to provide up to date information for individuals and communities to protect themselves from the virus and encourage community members to use Wuchopperen’s COVID-19 testing and vaccine facilities. We look forward to continuing this partnership in 2021-22 to protect our community against COVID-19.

HEALTH WORKERS ABLE TO VACCINATE

As part of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout across the Cairns region, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers have been given the opportunity to help administer the vaccine in ACCHOs.

Nine Wuchopperen Health Workers participated in the First Nations COVID-19 vaccination training to be able to meet the requirements, to be part of the vaccination team at our COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic.

Since opening the Vaccine Clinic in April, Health Workers have been working alongside nurses to help administer the vaccinations to our community.

COVID-19 Immunisations administered in 2020-21

• COVID-19 vaccines available in Australia from 22 February 2021

• Wuchopperen COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic opened in April administering AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) to the wider Cairns community including nonIndigenous clients

• Wuchopperen invited to be involved in state and national marketing campaigns

• In July 2021, Wuchopperen will begin administering the Pfizer vaccine. Community vaccination events have also been planned for the second half of 2021.

I cannot recommend your attention to detail and service enough, so very nice in a time of stress to all of us. I will be back in September for my second shot.

VACCINE CLINIC

holistic health

Based in our Rainforest Building in Manoora, Holistic Health consists of a multi-disciplinary team of health workers, doctors, nurses, counsellors, social workers, wellbeing workers and administration officers.

In 2020-21, a focus for the clinic was to increase numbers for clients to pre-book appointments instead of walk-ins. The aim is to help reduce waiting times and overall client satisfaction. This also included tele-health appointments which the clinic saw an increase in, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with some clients preferring this method of service.

A highlight for the year included a new position created, the Health Worker Coordinator Specialist, to assist clients with follow up appointments, including home visiting.

CLIENT FEEDBACK

“You rarely see a GP nowadays that still have bedside manner. He really empathised with me yet very professional. He also knew what he was doing, explaining my problem clearly and presented me a holistic approach and treatment.”

“So happy with my appointment today. It was my first time attending Wuchopperen and we were seen within an hour. That is really good.”

In January new Health Worker Coordinator Specialist, Richard Assan, delivered COVID-19 care packs. All clients were very happy and thankful for the packs. Richard said, “I think it made their day as much as it did mine.”

children & maternal health

Following Wuchopperen’s Health Worker

Led Model of Care, our Women’s, Children and Maternal Health team operates out of our Coral Cay Building in Manoora and consists of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health workers, general practitioners, registered nurses, an immunisation nurse, child health nurse, registered midwife and medical administration officers.

Throughout the year, the clinic was able to maintain high immunisation rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in particular during the time of restrictions.

A key highlight for 2020-21, was the completion of the Maternity Service Integration Research Project in September followed by a presentation which was delivered to all ACCHOs across the Far North region. This project was funded by QAIHC looking to improve communication between the antenatal department of the Cairns hospital and the service, therefore improving care.

CLIENT FEEDBACK

“I want everyone to know that the lovely receptionists, nurses and awesome staff at Wuchopperen are an asset to the Cairns Indigenous community. Thank you for being so kind, educational, understanding and professional.”

“I think all the people at the doctors place are the best people to help us out when sick. The lady at reception is the loveliest person to give help to me.”

allied health services

As part of Wuchopperen’s holistic approach to health

we provide a range of Allied Health Services at both our Manoora and Edmonton sites. Our Allied Health team works closely with clinical staff to assist clients in their individual health journeys. Clients are supported through education and guidance in self-management of chronic illnesses and physical or mental health through services that can include diagnosis, treatment, education, or rehabilitation.

DENTAL SERVICES

EPISODES OF CARE 656

• While recruiting for a replacement Dental Officer and new Dental Team

Wuchopperen partnered with a local dental surgery to assist with our clients’ needs

• A fully functional dental service is currently being planned for and implemented at both our Manoora and Edmonton sites

PODIATRIST SERVICES

EPISODES OF CARE

1,522

• Our Podiatrist ensured clients have preventative foot care strategies in place through education and screening

• Celebrated Foot Health Week in October with clients and staff

HEARING HEALTH SERVICES

EPISODES OF CARE

718

• Hearing Health Workers provide services at both our Manoora and Edmonton sites as well as regularly attending 17 different schools in the Cairns region

CLIENT STORY – JESSIE

Jessie was originally diagnosed with Type II Diabetes in the Torres Strait Islands where she grew up. Since moving to Cairns, Jessie chose Wuchopperen as her preferred health service. Jessie said, “I found that coming to Wuchopperen I was able to get more of a handle on it.”

Jessie was also able to connect with other Allied Health services like the Community Dietitian to learn about portion sizes and healthy meal swaps to help control her diabetes. Jessie shared her story through video with the Cairns community for World Diabetes Day in November.

DIABETES EDUCATOR

EPISODES OF CARE 1,140

• Maintained client education and support during the COVID-19 lockdown periods

• Facilitated the introduction of weekly therapies for the management of Type II Diabetes weight

• Delivered education talks to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers

• Attained a Certificate of Excellence from QAAMS (Quality Assurance for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Medical Services) for achieving high standards of quality and sustained levels of participation for quality testing in the QAAMS Program

COMMUNITY DIETITIAN

EPISODES OF CARE 622

• Continued to work closely with other allied health clinicians to increase referral numbers

• Developed a suite of nutritional resources to assist clients with food choices

OPTOMETRIST SERVICES

EPISODES OF CARE 1,149

• During COVID-19 restrictions optometrist services were limited. Following the lifting of restrictions, the optometrist team were busy performing eye examinations, vision tests, prescribing lenses and other optical aids and delivering therapy and medication to correct and manage vision problems and eye diseases

• Clients are seen at both Manoora and Edmonton sites and when required referred to Ophthalmologists (eye surgeons) to improve their quality of life

PSYCHOLOGISTS

EPISODES OF CARE

1,430

• Utilised tele-health counselling during COVID-19 lockdown periods. This was well received by clients who had not engaged previously to receive counselling

• Provided continuity of care to patients throughout COVID-19 isolation periods

• Commenced Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) & Autism Spectrum Disorder assessments

edmonton services

I have been coming to this clinic for 5 years, I like this clinic. The staff is very friendly and they look after me. This clinic has supported me with all my health and wellbeing needs. Today I have another house, more suitable for my health needs and in a good neighbourhood. My family is happy now. I tell the community, go to Wuchopperen at Edmonton – they will look after you. Mina deadly clinic that one.

During 2020-21, Edmonton’s client base continued to grow as more services are offered to southside clients. An example included the introduction of Hearing Australia’s HAPEE Program (Hearing Assessment ProgramEarly Ears) once a month to south Cairns. A highlight during the COVID-19 restriction period was the ability to continue to provide outreach specialist services including paediatric, cardiologist and geriatric, and Open Arch care. Edmonton also saw the opening of the new Cairns South Hospital Dialysis Unit. The team were fortunate to organise a walk-through of the facility - “It is impressive and very much needed on the southside,” said Edmonton Health Services Manager.

Driven by the Edmonton team and Wellbeing Workers, the team organised Christmas gifts for some of their clients in the Southern Corridor Area with donations from our Edmonton doctors and staff. Over 50 presents were gifted to young mums, youth and elderly in the area including many donations from local businesses.

home support program

The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) provides entry-level support for people who need help to stay at home and in their communities. CHSP services can be delivered on a shortterm, episodic or ongoing basis and have a strong focus on activities that support independence and social connectedness and provide more choice to consumers. In 202021, a new Health Support Worker position was created to help with the high demand of home-support care.

INTEGRATED TEAM CARE

The Integrated Team Care program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients with complex and chronic diseases who are unable to effectively manage their conditions, by providing one-on-one assistance from a Wuchopperen Care Coordinator. This assistance expedites access to necessary services including transport for dialysis clients; and developed care pathways and service linkages and has resulted in an improved quality of life for clients enrolled on the program.

Part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the National Community Connectors Program was developed for community groups who might need additional support to access NDIS because of social, cultural and economic barriers.

As trusted community members, Community Connectors play a critical role in identifying and engaging with people in the community with a disability and their carers. Wuchopperen joined the program in January, recruiting two Community Connectors.

“If you are struggling at home because of some sort of mobility issue, social issue or learning difficulty, that’s what the scheme is there for,” said George, Community Connector.

Another key responsibility of the role is collaborating on outreach activities to build better community awareness of the Community Connectors Program. In 2021, Community Connectors attended Centacare’s Harmony Day Community Event held at Cairns West State School and spoke on radio with Bumma Bippera Media National Talkblack. COMMUNITY CONNECTORS

George said, “We’ve got a number of clients we are working with at the moment and have already been successful with a few. It’s rewarding seeing the smile on their face.”

The type of support funded by NDIS includes daily personal activities, transport to enable participation in community, workplace help to allow a community member to obtain or keep employment, therapeutic supports, help with household tasks, home modification, mobility equipment and vehicle modifications.

TIMENA BLANKET

outreach & sexual health

OUTREACH

In 2020-21, Wuchopperen continued to provide weekly outreach to AFL House Girls, Kuiyam Hostel, Anglicare Diversionary Centre and Cairns Homeless Hub, with a pause in services from December 2020 to March 2021 due to COVID-19 and other clinical priorities. The team also provides, as needed, outreach to follow up urgent clients e.g. antenatal syphilis, clients with untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with no contact details.

SEXUAL HEALTH

In 2020-21, a major focus for the year, as it was for 2019-20, was to increase client testing numbers through diverse health promotion, staff education and networking.

2020/21 HIGHLIGHTS

HEALTH PROMOTION

• Condoms provided weekly for all consult rooms and clinic toilets

• Presentations on sexual health to high schools including Holy Spirit College and AFL Cape York Girls House

• Presentations to TAFE students and input into TAFE curriculum to provide culturally appropriate information on sexual health for health workers

• South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) resources to promote sexual health checks were used in all clinics

STAFF EDUCATION

• Feedback of current STI testing performance by each doctor to all medical staff undertaken monthly

• Feedback of ATLAS data to clinics

• Presentations on PREP PEP and HIV point of care, HCV, from Queensland Health

• Culturally appropriate sexual health education to staff via Outreach Health Workers

SEXTEMBER

Held annually each year, SEXtember was created by Wuchopperen’s sexual health team to raise awareness about sexual health in September. A number of activities occurred over the month, including guest speakers and presentations, competitions between clinics for the most STI tests, competitions for clients who have STI tests to provide incentives, rapid (POC-point of care) testing for syphilis staff training, rapid urine testing for STIs and staff training.

WORLD AIDS DAY IN BAMAGA

Wuchopperen’s Male Sexual Health Educator flew to Bamaga for World AIDS Day to present as a guest speaker at the Seisia Fishing Club Community Night alongside Dr Ian Anderson from Bamaga Hospital.

Sexual Health Workers presented at TAFE Queensland’s Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care course. For over a year Wuchopperen has been working with TAFE Queensland to assist in developing Women and Men’s Sexual Health Resources to be included in the course. This was the first time they delivered a presentation to students.

NETWORKING

• Regular attendance at the Queensland Health led STI Action Plan meetings (monthly)

• Regular presentations by Cairns Sexual Health Service to Wuchopperen staff including HCV, HIV and syphilis

• Outreach registered nurse and health workers training at Cairns Sexual Health Service

• Regular meetings with QAIHC regarding sexual health priorities in focus of youth access to services

• Regular meetings with TAFE to embed culturally appropriate training material into the new Aboriginal Primary Health sexual health unit

• Organisational membership of Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) for Wuchopperen

Staff t-shirts were created for awareness and education. “Test

4 Six” refers to the six STIs which are tested for HIV, Hepatitis, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea & Trichomoniasis.

social & emotional wellbeing

As part of Wuchopperen’s delivery of holistic care, a social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) program is embedded into each of our clinics, focusing on all aspects of cultural, emotional, environmental, and spiritual wellbeing. Programs are tailored to the appropriate needs of children, youth and families.

During 2020/21, Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) staff worked to counter the effects of the impact of past traumas that have contributed to the social and emotional wellbeing of clients. Meeting the needs of those families requiring immediate and rapid solution/resolution and assistance, forms a major part of the teams work.

Case meetings can be held daily, weekly, and monthly. Referrals received are internal, external, concerned family members and selfreferrals. Clients are introduced to all members of the team to ensure they have continuity of care. Consults focus on the clients’ general wellbeing as well as existing case plans, shared community service provider responsibilities, latest developments and follow up actions. These meetings also provide direction for staff to strengthen best practice.

Outreach services and client support are provided to people who do not fit within existing programs or fit the criteria of qualifying for multiple agency case coordination. These clients present as walkins usually requiring assistance with emergency relief, document completion, crisis accommodation and one-off advocacy and liaison support.

2020-21 HIGHLIGHTS

Been an active participant on the Cairns Housing and Homelessness Integration Initiative Panel (CHHII). Services represented include Shelter Housing Action Cairns, Anglicare, Access Housing, Housing and Public Works, Mission Australia, Safer Streets Taskforce, Women’s Centre, Youthlink and Queensland Health (Mental Health Services).

Attended meetings of the Amaroo Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders Justice Group to provide case management support and general counselling and to engage with the Elders of the Amaroo Justice Group. A Men’s Yarn-Up program was delivered to clients that have been referred to Amaroo through the courts.

HAPPY HEALTHY FAMILIES

Under the ‘Happy Healthy Families’ (HHF) initiative SEWB team members target groups with related programs that aim to break the cycle of social norms of family and domestic violence. Activities within the HHF Program include:

• Women’s Yarn-Up

• Men’s Group, Domestic and Family Violence Education and Awareness Program

• Circle of Safety Women’s Group Education and Awareness Program

CASE STUDY

SEWB staff facilitated the first Anger Management program delivered at Wuchopperen. Three clients enrolled in and successfully completed the 8-week program. One client shared with the group what she had learned from the program and had already been able to put into practise.

The client explained how prior to attending the program a pattern

of behaviour had developed between herself and her mother in which conversations would escalate into outbursts of anger. Before completing the course the client said how during a recent conversation with her mother, which had the potential to be aggressive, she was able to use two strategies in particular that she had learnt to recognise the triggers that

brought on angry thoughts. The client said the conversation did continue in the morning and she and her mother were able to discuss a shared solution. She recognised this as a positive outcome from the course and felt hopeful that she could build a closer relationship with her mother because of this new ability to talk things through.

CHILD, YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES

All funded Wuchopperen programs work closely together to provide integrated services to children, young people and their families. This is done with the family in mind who may need support in more than one area of life and allows Wuchopperen staff to be able to respond to the varied support needs families have for each of their family members.

child wellbeing

CULTURAL MENTORING SERVICE

The Connecting Youth Service provides appropriate cultural mentoring support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 10-15 years, who are in or at risk of entering the Youth Justice System, by a trusted adult mentor who can influence a non-offending lifestyle.

In 2020-21, the service continued to engage young people voluntarily and provide activities that are needs based and developmentally appropriate including involving family and kin in forming relationships and strong links with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Elders, communities and services.

Healing camps occur quarterly and activities for the camp are determined by the young people and their family and kin.

Youth Participation Program and Cultural Mentoring work closely to provide integrated services to youth and their families. This is completed through a range of services, such as meetings, emails, care team meetings, appointments, phone contacts, home visits, school visits, group sessions, drop ins, family sessions and camps.

CLIENT CONTACTS FOR SERVICES CONNECTED 1,600+

YOUTH PARTICIPATION PROGRAM

The Youth Participation Program (and Connecting Youth Service) is funded by the Department of Youth Justice to provide family led decision-making processes and meetings for young people involved in the Youth Justice System. Now in its second year of operation the program offers a service to Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander young people aged 10-17 years, who are in or at risk, of entering the youth justice system; and works with the youth and their family to establish goals to create, change, inspire, motivate and heal, through culturallybased health and wellbeing education and cultural connectedness.

FAMILY PARTICIPATION PROGRAM

The aim of the Family Participation Program (FPP) is to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children in out of home care, maximise reunification opportunities and focus on identifying protective factors, areas the family can be supported to successfully reunify and

increase connection and participation.

Wuchopperen staff facilitate Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander Family-Led Decision Making processes to support families to fully participate in child protection decisions that affect their lives.

CASE STUDY

Family Participation Program (FPP) supported a first time pregnant Mum, who was also experiencing relationship problems with her partner. She has a close relationship with her mother, and during the pregnancy she and her partner identified that they both would struggle with the care for their baby once born. Concerns were raised during the pregnancy by Department of Child Safety and FPP received

and accepted the referral. Once the FPP Worker engaged with the pregnant mum and her partner and understood their wishes and plans for family member/s to care for the baby, aligned with cultural adoption practices. FPP were able to assist the family by expressing their wishes and plans for the baby to the Department of Child Safety. This ensured that the family wishes, and plans were heard, considered, and included in the plan

In 2020-21, Wuchopperen entered into a sub-contract arrangement with Youth Empowerment Towards Independence (YETI) to introduce the Next Step Plus service available to young people between the ages of 15 and 25, who are leaving, or have left care, and require support to move to an independent adult life. The program receives referrals externally through the Department of Child Safety, other service providers in Cairns, or the young person themselves.

Next Steps Plus provides quick access to practical advice and support that includes:

• accessing accommodation support services

• reconnecting with family, friends, community and building relationships

• entering education and training, developing a resume and looking for employment

• accessing health and social and emotional well-being and counselling appointments

• providing support to organise important documents like identification, birth certificate, driver’s license etc.

for the baby. FPP also included the family member/s who would care and be the parents for the baby, as per cultural adoption practice. FPP assisted the family to explain the cultural adoption practice and the value, resulting in Department of Child Safety’s decision to not put a Child Protection Order in place, and support the family to care for the baby as per their cultural practice.

CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE FOSTER & KINSHIP

recruits and supports Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Carers to provide placement for Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander children and young people requiring out of home care as per the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle. During 2020-21, the team continued to provide support to our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and young people by ensuring our client’s children and young people are safe and enjoy a quality of life. CAFAKCS does this by providing support to Carers

and all children and young people, including celebrating and showing appreciation by holding Carer Appreciation Lunches. Sadly, there is continued demand for increased recruitment of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Carers for the region, and CAFAKCS will be continuing to focus on targeted recruitment for Carers in 2021-22. Currently we support Kinship and Foster Carers across the region, inclusive of Cairns, as far south as Tully and north to Mossman, including a high number of Carers on the Tablelands.

family wellbeing service

The Family Wellbeing Service (FWB) provides families with culturally safe services that are designed and delivered by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to build and maintain happy, healthy, and safe families. The service supports families from pre-birth to 18 years old, including young people.

FWB aims to provide services that strengthen and support parents and families to be strong parents that care and support their children in all aspects of their lives. The service focuses on the whole family, with the goal of ensuring children remain with their families and are safe, supported in their childhood and adolescent years.

In 2020-21, a key focus of the program was to help connect families with a full range of support services that contribute to positive outcomes for their children. This included working collaboratively with external program providers, as well as internal programs including Wuchopperen’s Children & Family Centre and Parenting Programs, the Healthy Happy Family program delivered by Social and Emotional Wellbeing, and specialist service providers including child psychologists.

In 2020-21, the YFWB program focused on delivering activities tailored at young people and their needs. A highlight included School Holiday Programs where young people completed Cooking Programs to learn how to prepare and cook a meal, with the aim to sit with their family and eat and share a meal together on the evening of the Cooking Program. Another highlight included young people participating in a painting session with facilitated yarning with staff, focusing on what their struggles are and options on how to overcome them, including what their life goals are. REFERRALS

Wuchoppern’s Family Wellbeing Service also has sub-contract arrangements in place with Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service and Mamu Health Service to deliver Family Wellbeing Services in Yarrabah and Innisfail.

The service encourages and accepts self-referrals from families and community, other external service providers and from internal Wuchopperen programs and will also receive referrals from the Department of Child Safety, Family and Child Connect (FaCC), Queensland Health and Queensland Education.

YOUTH AND FAMILY WELLBEING SERVICE

Youth and Family Wellbeing Service (YFWB) provides support to young people under the age of 18 years, and their families who are at risk of, or already in contact with the Department of Youth Justice. The service also provides support to siblings of the young person involved in the youth justice system, or young people who are becoming involved in high risk or anti-social behaviours, but have not been charged with an offence, including young people involved in restorative justice processes. The service provides support by working directly with young people, and their families to strengthen family relationships, and assist and support families to best support their young person and their needs.

The service focusses on addressing family factors that contribute to young people’s offending behaviours with referrals received from services within Wuchopperen, and from various external services including the Department of Youth Justice, the Queensland Police Service, local schools and other community services, or families can self-refer.

children & family centre

The Children and Family Centre (CFC) aims to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and families by increasing access to integrated and holistic early childhood education and care, parenting support and child and maternal health services.

The centre provides support to families in a variety of ways including weekly parenting programs; the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P), Yarn & Craft and Circle of Security (run by Family Wellbeing), twice weekly playgroups for parents and/ or carers with children aged 0-5 years, an Infant Massage program and Kindy Connect, which helps children get ready for school.

2020-21 HIGHLIGHTS

• Many new parents to the program found it difficult to engage in the first instance but were seen to build confidence by engaging with other families and staff members during the year, this was thanks to positive relationships formed with more confident parents in the group who are happy to provide peer support

• Children attending the programs have also been observed to develop social skills with other children in the group becoming more independent in their interactions with other parents and staff and confidently exploring program activities on their own

• Parents have reported observing their children developing skills through the

playgroups that have improved fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities

• Parents and carers have commented that activities provided by the program were age appropriate and support their child’s development milestones

• The service observed that relatives including aunties, grandparents, carers and older brothers and sisters were also attending program sessions to support the parents and child attending, which in turn increased the family’s capacity to

CASE STUDY – POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM

Mum and her 5+ children returning to Cairns, required support to gain appropriate housing for the family, transporting her family was also a challenge and the family was experiencing financial challenges. Wuchopperen’s Children & Family Centre was able to support the family by accessing brokerage for

household items, including kitchen and bedding items. Additional longer term supports included parenting support on household management, behavioural management involving the children, accessing external community services, such as legal. CFC also supported to re-establish and improve family connections

attend and receive these services

• Overall services provided by the CFC was able to retain engagement with most families that enrolled in the program in 2020/21, with the loss of only five families during this time. It was also observed that by being flexible with services delivered and offering more one-on-one support to parents who did not want to participate in group sessions had added to this successful outcome

and relationship with extended family members. On-going supports for the family include supporting engagement with health for the whole family and strengthening the family’s social and emotional wellbeing to ensure the family remains strong and resilient.

FIRST TIME MUMS PROGRAM

The Australian Nurse-Family Partnership Program (ANFPP), or known to clients as First Time Mums Program, is a voluntary program designed to support the mother having their first baby from pregnancy up until the child is two years of age, with regular home visits from a Nurse Home Visitor and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Family Partnership Worker.

The First Time Mums Program aims to improve pregnancy outcomes and child health and development by supporting women to make good health choices and empowering mothers to be the best parent possible. The program also helps parents develop a vision for their own future, plan future pregnancies, continue their education and find work.

In 2020-21, a major focus for the team was to encourage male role models to become a support. An example included inviting colleagues from the Healthy Happy Families program to attend monthly client activities with the ANFPP team. This supported discussions around the importance of both the maternal and paternal roles in a child’s upbringing, with discussions extended to how other family members, grandfathers, brothers and cousins, could provide a positive paternal role when a supportive father figure is absent from the relationship.

Future activities by the ANFPP team will actively encourage male participation at client activities to enhance father inclusive practice within the program.

HOME INTERACTION PROGRAM FOR PARENTS & YOUNGSTERS (HIPPY)

HIPPY is a two-year, home based, early learning and parenting program, aimed at helping parents to become their child’s first teacher, while educating children to become more prepared for their first years of formal schooling.

Each HIPPY program is staffed by a qualified Coordinator and a team of Home Tutors. Home Tutors are parents who are currently enrolled in, or have previously participated in the program and live in the area. Home Tutors schedule regular weekly or fortnightly visits to discuss and work through the program activities. The families are also encouraged to participate in regular parent group meetings.

HIPPY CAIRNS SOUTH

HIPPY Cairns South operates from the Edmonton clinic engaging families in the southern corridor of Cairns from Earlville to Gordonvale.

FAMILIES ENROLLED IN 2020 CHILDREN GRADUATED AT THE END OF

HIPPY Cairns North operates from the Manoora clinic and has seen ongoing active enrollment in the program since it launched in 2015 with families participating from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds including from Burma/Myanmar, Bhutan, China, Colombia, Congo, Ecuador, Fiji, India and Papua New Guinea. As an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander focused site and health service our goal for HIPPY Cairns North for 2021-22 is to increase this representation to 100%.

CASE STUDY

20 16

FAMILIES ENROLLED IN 2020

CASE STUDY

Many parents starting out in the HIPPY program are understandably nervous about their ability to deliver the program to their child. One such mother gained her confidence thanks to the patience and support of a HIPPY Tutor encouraging the important practice of quality role play between peers. When asked if her relationship had improved with her child since joining HIPPY she responded with an emphatic “yes” crediting the tutor’s sharing of the 3c’s strategy.

CHILDREN GRADUATED AT THE END OF 2020

The 3C’s (complete, confirm and correct) strategy is used during role playing activities with children. The mum stated that since using the 3C’s she has more patience with her son, and he is able to complete the task. She also said that if he’s being playful or is getting frustrated, she again knows to just use the 3C’s to complete, confirm or correct and move along; which has made a world of difference in their relationship and boosted her teaching confidence.

A client of Torres Strait Islander heritage enrolled her 4-year old son, with HIPPY Cairns North when he showed early signs of delayed speech and language development. The client is proud of the progress her son has made through the program and at the same time, proud of herself, as in her words she became her son’s first teacher.

“At the beginning of our HIPPY journey my son would express signs of frustration as he struggled to connect with me. I could see he didn’t understand the concept of certain activities and we both became lost with the language barrier and through miscommunication.

“As we progressed through the HIPPY educational packs I noticed

steady positive progress, his attention span improved greatly and he paid more attention to what I was saying. Six months into the program he was attempting to use words to express himself and that stopped the emotional battle to communicate that we had previously faced.

“As a mum HIPPY has opened my eyes to the importance of early education. The power of the HIPPY model is evident in the results of my child’s language and speech development. I only wish I had had the skills and knowledge to educate my older children when they were 4 years old. But I’m grateful for the skills I now have. Thanks to HIPPY I am my son’s first teacher!”

WELCOMING RACHAEL HA M

In 2020 we said goodbye to our retiring Deputy Chief Executive Officer of four years, Laurel McCarthy and welcomed active community member, and a former Wuchopperen Board Director, Rachael Ham to the role. With extensive experience working in community organisations including Lives Lived Well and Apunipima Cape York Health Council

Rachael is the eldest daughter of Eslyn Wargent, one of Wuchopperen’s first Nurses. She is also the granddaughter of Esme Hudson, a wellknown and hard-working local identity and Elder of the Cairns area.

Joining Wuchopperen in December 2020, Rachael said the first few months of her time on the Wuchopperen team had been rewarding and challenging as she re-established relationships and understood how much Wuchopperen has grown in size and reputation in recent years.

WELCOME BACK

TANYA ROBINSON

Wuchopperen was excited to welcome back Tanya Robinson to the role of Executive Director, Child, Youth and Family Services in March 2021. Tanya comes from an extensive career working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social emotional wellbeing sector and is a James Cook University graduate Social Worker. Tanya comes from working at Apunipima Health Council as the Social Emotional Wellbeing Manager and worked previously to assist in the establishment of Wuchopperen Children & Family Centre. Tanya worked previously for Wuchopperen for 7 years, between 2000 – 2007 as the Family Support Counsellor and Coordinator, Female Counsellor and Manager of the previous Counsellors and Support Workers Team. Tanya said that returning to Wuchopperen has felt like coming home and loves coming to work every day to support our mob in our community. Coming back to Wuchopperen and working here comes from my parents always making sure that their children’s health was taken care of by our mob at Wuchopperen and have this as a driving force my work here at Wuchopperen.

In line with our Strategic Priority One, empowering through people and workplace culture, the Emerging Leaders program was created in 2020 to help “grow our own”. A cross-section of staff who were already in various leadership roles, including Coordinators, Team Leaders and Support Officers, were invited to join the new 12-month leadership program. Part of the course offers each Emerging Leader the chance to complete a Diploma of Leadership and Management, as well as gain on the

job experience by giving opportunities to step into management positions while managers are on leave. A highlight of the year was a leadership workshop delivered by the Johnathon Thurston Academy focusing on discipline, self-esteem, life skills, and leadership qualities. Each Emerging Leader walked away with a new sense of personal and community pride, further skills to be a productive leader and an identified role they can play in community.

I believe the

skills that I have been given whilst acting in the role of Manager, and as an Emerging Leader, has laid a great foundation for me, and I will take this throughout my career.

Child, Youth and Family Services Emerging Leaders

invaluable

NICHOLE DORANTE

TRAINEESHIPS WITH WUCHOPPEREN

SCHOOL-BASED TRAINEESHIPS

In 2020, six students in Year 11 from Bentley Park College and Trinity Bay State High School, began a school-based traineeship at Wuchopperen to help kickstart their health career. Indigenous owned and operated Group Training Organisation, Australian Training Works Group (ATW), led the recruitment drive for the program.

‘Strong Start’ an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traineeship Program, gives Indigenous youth a head start by achieving a nationally recognised qualification and on-the-job training once a week, while completing Years 11 and 12. Qualifications gained can include a Certificate III in Business (Medical Administration), Certificate III in Health Services

Assistance or a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance.

Rachael Ham, Deputy CEO, said by allowing students to gain on-the-job skills while completing school, they are able to work towards a goal, whether that be higher education or transition to work, laying strong foundations for the future of our community and keeping our generations growing strong. The traineeships have been a great addition to the Wuchopperen workforce.

Providing a platform for young people has only strengthened the Wuchopperen’s “Keeping our generations growing strong” philosophy. It makes me so proud to see our young people passionate about their future too.

Congratulations to Fiona and Irene for completing their Bachelor of Nursing –we couldn’t be prouder of your achievements!

YOUTH TRAINEESHIPS

In partnership with Vocational Partnerships Groups (VPG), Wuchopperen recruited four new youth trainees, who started in January, for a 12 month traineeship. Each trainee will work in their respective areas and obtain a qualification by the end of the year.

Our new trainees include:

• Brandon – Facilities Trainee

• Jackson – IT Trainee

• Elizabeth – Administration Trainee

• Athaliah – Early Childhood Educator Trainee (resigned March 2020)

The new partnership was a result of a commitment made by Wuchopperen to ‘growing our own’ and keeping our generations growing strong, not only through health and wellbeing, but by creating employment pathways for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in our community.

FIONA FILEWOOD

Fiona Filewood commenced with Wuchopperen in 1997 and worked in the Medical Administration team for a number of years, including the position of Medical Administration Supervisor. After completing her Diploma of Practice Manager, Fiona stepped up to Assistant Practice Manager and since then has held multiple roles including Supervisor, Assistant Manager, Assistant Practice Manager and Coordinator.

From 2014, Fiona moved into care coordination and provided support to users of Wuchopperen’s client information system.

In 2016, Fiona enrolled in a Bachelor of Nursing (part-time) with the Central Queensland University which Wuchopperen was happy to support through study leave and clinical placements.

Fiona was successful in achieving her qualification in November 2020 and is now working as a Registered Nurse in Wuchopperen’s Women’s, Children and Maternal Health clinic.

IRENE KELLY

Irene Kelly started with Wuchopperen as an Indigenous Liaison Officer in 2011 which helped to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to access health care services and follow-up treatment.

In August 2017, Irene was appointed as a Family Partnership Worker with the First Time Mums and Bubs Program. While working alongside nurses in her role, Irene saw the difference she could make and enrolled in a Nursing Degree with Deakin University.

Irene was successful in a Bachelor of Nursing in June 2021, where she also received two outstanding awards, and hopes to move into the Women’s, Children and Maternal Health clinic in the next financial year.

ALL STAFF GATHERINGS

At the end of March we held our first COVID-safe All Staff Gathering for 2021. The gatherings are an opportunity for all staff to come together to have some fun and look after their own spirit and wellbeing. The first gathering, organised by the Children and Family Centre team, involved a Smoking Ceremony delivered by Henry Fourmile, a BBQ and Wuchopperen’s Amazing Race - where 16 teams battled through different activities to race to the finish line! The second day, organised by the Edmonton team in May involved a Trivia competition and lunch. Five all staff gatherings have been organised throughout the year.

KINDNESS DAY

Organised by Human Resources, all staff came together in November to celebrate World Kindness Day. The second of this now annual event was a chance for staff to come together to be kind and show their appreciation for each other. This year’s activities included volleyball, basketball, table tennis, boccie, quoits, rock painting, board games, a bake off, golf putting and trivia.

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

6 STAFF completed a training certificate or diploma to further develop their role

40 STAFF currently undertaking a certificate or diploma to further develop their role

49 STUDENT placements including James Cook University GP Registrars

OTHER TRAINING DURING 2020-21 INCLUDED

• Queensland Human Rights Commission

• Cultural Connectedness & Responsiveness Training (All Staff)

• Staff Safety and Defusing Situations (All Staff)

• Cultural Mentor Training with James Cook University in the Torres Strait Islands

As a first year GP registrar I have learned a lot at Wuchopperen about providing quality primary health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. I enjoy the holistic care model that Wuchopperen as an ACCHO embodies and really like working with Aboriginal Health Workers and other allied health staff to navigate the best outcomes for clients. Many of our clients experience chronic diseases and it has been a steep learning curve which at times has been challenging but is also very rewarding. Wuchopperen has also provided me with great opportunities to immerse myself in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and learning how to provide culturally appropriate care to my clients.

- DR JACK DE GUINGAND

operations

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE

The Clinical Governance Committee (CGC) entered its sixth year of operation at the start of 202021. The CGC and processes for clinical governance at Wuchopperen have become well supported.

Over the past year the Clinical Reference Group (CRG) has supported the CGC through the identification of new clinical protocols with updating existing procedures relating to clinical areas.

The CGC is committed to building

momentum for improvements towards best practice primary healthcare in the future. This includes improvements in the Internal Clinical Audit and Service Improvement Reporting processes. Microsoft (MS) Teams software and real time editing of joint documents has been a better system for CGC and CRG to communicate through. Improved reviewed clinical incident register on MS Teams allows relevant staff access with live updates as investigations proceed, are actioned and closed.

CLINICAL AUDIT FEEDBACK SESSIONS

Eight clinical audit feedback sessions were completed over the financial year.

CHILD HEALTH – JULY

• Flagged priority: update education and include heart check for 5-16 years. Child health nurse to check Hb chart and update annually.

RHEUMATIC

– AUGUST

HEART DISEASE

• Flagged priority: looking at strategies to become a clinical centre of excellence for RHD in Cairns by developing a portfolio of staff with special skills to lead this.

• Strategies to prevent clients having “time at risk” - clients overdue the penicillin injection required every 21-28 days to manage their condition and prevent worsening disease.

KIDNEY DISEASE – OCTOBER

• Flagged priority: increase staff education to improve ACR testing in annual health checks. No anti-inflamatories to be given to people over 60 years.

SEXUAL HEALTH

– NOVEMBER

• Flagged priority: efforts to be focused on encouraging more male patients within the target age group (15-39 years) to have sexual health checkups. Youth friendly clinics.

HYPERTENSION – DECEMBER

• Flagged priorities: when a client is diagnosed with hypertension a cognitive assessment should be completed, as hypertension can increase a client’s risk of dementia later in life.

• To assist clients to continuously take their medications, GPs encouraged to add code to script that allows all 6 months supply to be dispensed when script presented.

CORONARY HEART DISEASE

– MARCH

COVID-19

Several procedures required ongoing revision to reflect changes that followed the start of the pandemic. Staff Pandemic Team with ongoing meetings at times of local transmission or lockdowns to help to manage Wuchopperen’s response.

THE FUTURE FOR CLINICAL GOVERNANCE

Discussions and planning towards the Clinical Governance Framework and Terms of Reference review in 2021/22.

MATERNAL HEALTH – MAY

• Flagged priority: focusing efforts on actively recalling and managing clients who have undergone an amputation or who have suffered a cardiovascular event due to complications of Diabetes 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3

• Flagged priority: if ACR is consistently higher than 3.5 check to see whether the patient is on ACE inhibitor and if not, and if no AE or contraindication, consider adding one.

• Add SNAP (smoking, nutrition, alcohol and physical activity) goals to GP management plans.

• Flagged priority: majority of the audited clients presented after 12 weeks gestation for their first antenatal visit. Possible reasons for this suggested by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers was this is most likely due to social problems (e.g., lack of support in the home, transport problems, health literacy problems, many women presenting late have had multiple previous births).

• Social and emotional wellbeing tools, interventions and support better performed and documented.

• Smoking in pregnancy rates still high, to target education and support regarding smoking cessation.

DIABETES – JUNE

research

In 2020-21, COVID-19 continued to impact on fewer research applications being received over the year. Discussions continued regarding reviewing the Research Strategy and Wuchopperen’s Health Priorities, together with plans to develop a Research Sub-committee in 2021-2022.

CONTINUING RESEARCH

• The ATLAS project which reviews quality processes around sexually transmissible disease care continues to provide automated reports on Wuchopperen’s progress in high level of care (testing and treatment) offered to people in the target age groups

• Diabetes in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People project

• The Let’s Chat Project focusing on services for people with dementia, recommenced June 2020 at Edmonton Clinic with ongoing regular geriatric clinic visits

• Prevalence of Coronary Artery Disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People presenting to the Emergency Department with suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome

• Flash Glucose Monitoring

• An Analysis of the Indigenous ‘Other’: The invisible Indigenous Australian

• Developing a consumer influenced model of accessibility to maternity services in Far North Queensland

• Syphilis in babies follow up audit

• IMPACT STI: Implementing a Precision Public Health Approach to Eliminate STIs, Control HIV and Inform on other BBVs in Regional Australia

• Smartphone and internet based interactive system (mHealth) for the management of hypertension for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: a feasibility study

• Service system responses and culturally designed practice frameworks to address needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people exposed to domestic and family violence (QATSICPP DFV project)

COMPLETED RESEARCH

The Maternity Services Integration Project MSIP (Better Antenatal Care Connections) final presentation September 2020. This was a QAIHC sponsored project looking to improve communication between the antenatal department of the Cairns hospital and the service, therefore improving care.

OUTPUTS

• Contact 2-3 times per week by Wuchopperen

midwife, GPs, Antenatal and Day Pregnancy Unit staff (email and phone)

• Fortnightly face to face meetings Wuchopperen

midwife and Antenatal Clinic Clinical Nurse Consultant

OUTCOMES

• Excellent communication and working relationship

• Shared understandings and respect for work settings and client issues

NEW RESEARCH

• Health Research Priorities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families of Queensland

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Diabetic Foot & Complications Program

• A retrospective observational study exploring whether Focused Cardiac Ultrasound used as an adjunct to the physical examination by Trained

quality & compliance

ISO 9001:2015 Standards. A maintenance audit was conducted in March 2021 and Wuchopperen continues to maintain accreditation until 30 June 2023, with an annual maintenance audit scheduled for 2022.

HUMAN SERVICES QUALITY STANDARDS

A surveillance audit of the Human Services Quality Standards (HSQS) was conducted in October 2020. Both the Culturally Appropriate Foster and Kinship Care Service (CAFAKCS) and the Family Wellbeing Service, including subcontracted services to Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service and Mamu Health Service, were re-accredited for a further three years to December 2023. At the HSQS audit in October, Wuchopperen’s Family Participation Program, which includes subcontracted services RAATSICC and Gungarde Community Centre Aboriginal Corporation, was included for the first time and was successful in achieving accreditation for three years.

OUT OF HOME CARE LICENCE

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN

COLLEGE OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS (RACGP)

Accreditation of Wuchopperen’s Manoora clinic to the RACGP 4th edition standards was scheduled to expire in February 2021. As a result of the situation across Australia with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare announced that accreditation for all general practices would be deferred. Wuchopperen was therefore granted an extension for 12 months until February 2022 with the accreditation audit scheduled for September 2021. Edmonton Clinic is currently accredited to the RACGP 5th Edition Standards until June 2022. The COVID situation has had a flow on impact on the expiry date for Edmonton Clinic which has also been deferred for 12 months and therefore remains accredited until June 2023.

WORKPLACE GENDER

EQUALITY AUTHORITY

Wuchopperen has been assessed as compliant with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (Act) demonstrating that Wuchopperen provides equal opportunities and income for women and men.

SAFETY AT

WUCHOPPEREN

There were five employee injuries reported in 2020/21. Two minor injuries occurred as a result of falls and there were two strain injuries. One needlestick injury was reported as a clinical incident.

COMPLIANCE

Over 160 progress, financial and legislative reports were submitted to funding bodies and other agencies in 2020/21.

Primary Care Staff leads to changes in Management in an Urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Serviceby Wuchopperen’s own Dr James Doran (previously The Feasibility and Impact of Focused Cardiac Ultrasound Training for Health Professionals)

• Promoting the Mental Health of Indigenous Children: Systems-level Integration of Pathways to Care

The Culturally Appropriate Foster and Kinship Care Service is licensed with the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multi Cultural Affairs to enable the out of home care service to operate. The licence expired in February 2021 and Wuchopperen’s application for a further three year licence was granted until February 2024.

JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY

Wuchopperen is accredited with JCU for the placement of GP registrar students at both the Manoora and Edmonton clinics. In 2021, there are three students placed at the Manoora Clinic and one student placed at the Edmonton Clinic. Wuchopperen has three Medical Officers accredited to provide supervision to the registrars.

FEEDBACK

36 positive feedback reports were received from clients. Our clients have expressed gratitude and acknowledgement for service delivery including interactions with staff. One client complemented Wuchopperen on the installation of solar panels on Bama House.

RISK AT WUCHOPPEREN

The number of event and program activities increased in 2020/21 with 62 risk assessments conducted. There was an increase in the number of activities this year as a result of easing of COVID-19 restrictions and safety plans put in place to ensure the safety of clients and staff.

financials

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER’S REPORT

In the 2020-21 financial year, Wuchopperen’s revenue remained stable at $25,239,622 despite the impacts of COVID-19. Expenditure decreased by 1.8% or $452,114 to $24,521,544 with decreased grants being repaid and decreased motor vehicle, catering and travel costs associated with operating in a COVID environment. Overall, the organisation returned a net surplus of $816,545 compared to $560,813 for the 2019-20 financial year. The 2020-21 surplus includes $115,500 in once-off gain on sale of property, plant and equipment.

NET SURPLUS

Wuchopperen’s operating position

reflects the organisation’s ability to meet day-to-day running costs from operating revenue including the depreciation of assets.

SOURCES OF REVENUE

Grant Revenue continues to be the major source of revenue equating to $20,918,339 or 83% of total revenue. Medicare and Practice Incentive

Payments provided $3,731,528 of revenue or 15% of total income. The remaining revenue is sourced from dental and clinic receipts and other own sourced revenue including donations and rental income.

Wuchopperen’s assets as at 30 June 2021 total $25,918,046. This includes $11,699,609 of current assets and $14,218,437 of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets. What we owe is represented by our liabilities and includes amounts owed to suppliers and amounts owing to employees for leave entitlements.

Wuchopperen’s total liabilities were $6,438,811 as at 30 June 2021 with the Net Value of the organisation reaching $19,479,235.

EXPENDITURE BY TYPE

Wuchopperen’s operating expenses for 2020-21 financial year totalled $24,521,544. The major expenses as depicted in the graph below were staff employment expenses at 69%, administration costs of 14% and property related expenditure of 8%. Sub contractor expenses accounted for 6% for the delivery of funded programs and 3% of expenditure was attributable to the purchase of client medical aids.

IMPROVING OUR PLACE

All projects are endorsed by the Board of Directors and overseen by our Infrastructure and Maintenance team.

Major projects for 2020-21

• Installation of Biometric Fingerprint Scanner to all buildings, drug rooms and carpark gates

• Construction of a functioning Respiratory Clinic for COVID-19 testing

• 100kw solar system installation at Manoora. Estimated annual savings moving forward equal to $30k

• Replacement of hot water boilers with Zip taps

• Savannah House roof replacement in preparation for full building renovation in 2021-22

• Internal painting and new carpet for staff areas including Bama House and Reef Building

GREEN TEAM

Working closely with the Infrastructure and Maintenance team, Wuchopperen’s Green Team continued to implement initiatives to reduce the organisation’s impact on the environment during 2020-21, this included:

• Replacing all fleet cars to low-emission hybrid models, allowing for lower fuel consumption and reducing harmful emissions and noise pollution

• Installing enviro-friendly carpet in Bama House and the Reef Buildings, Manoora with the new carbon neutral flooring saving 10 metric tons of CO² released

• Replacing single use plastic cutlery and plates at events with biodegradable utensils

• Installation of a 100kw solar system at Manoora including 300 panels. In 5 months of operation, the solar system has estimated a total of 95222kwh reduction in electricity consumption.

• A solar app has been installed to check power output, peek consumption and power needs of Moignard Street facilities and the working condition and output of each Individual solar panel. This has seen immediate cost savings as well as greater flexibility for future energy management.

Net Value has increased by $5,762,094 or 28.5% from 30 June 2020 due to asset revaluations and positive operating results.

Wuchopperen has budgeted to continue its commitment to sustainable financial management practices moving forward to protect the long-term viability of the organisation and provision of primary health services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander generations.

• Upgrade of air-conditioning units in Coral Cay clinic waiting room including full ventilation and duct chemical cleaning

• Upgrade of office, meeting room and clinical furniture for the organisation

• Installation of catering fridges in clinics for improved clinic comfort

• Electrical body protection upgrade

PLANNED WORKS FOR 2021-22

• Savannah House Building renovation

• Rainforest Building front entry and reception upgrade including a large outdoor waiting area

• External paint of Reef Building

• Installation of sheltered client walkways at Manoora including widening of the current footpath and sheltered bus drop off

• Installation of new outdoor client seating at Manoora

Grant Thornton

Grant Thornton

Independent auditor's report

Cairns Corporate Tower

Level 13

15 Lake Street

Cairns QLD 4870

Correspondence to: PO Box 7200

Cairns QLD 4870

T +61 7 4046 8888

F +61 7 4051 0116

E info.cairns@au.gt.com W www.grantthornton.com.au

Independent auditor's report

to the members of Wuchopperen Health Service Limited

Opinion

We have audited the financial report of Wuchopperen Health Service Limited (the "Company"), which comprises the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2021, the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies, and the directors' declaration.

In our opinion, the accompanying financial report of Wuchopperen Health Service Limited has been prepared in accordance with Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012, including:

a giving a true and fair view of the Company's financial position as at 30 June 2021 and of its financial performance for the year then ended; and

b complying with Australian Accounting Standards and Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Regulation 2013.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial report section of our report. We are independent of the Company in accordance with the auditor independence requirements of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 and the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board's APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the "Code") that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Information other than the financial report and auditor's report thereon

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Company's annual report for the year ended 30 June 2021, but does not include the financial report and our auditor's report thereon.

Our opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and accordingly we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial report, our responsibility is to read the other information available at the date of this report and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial report or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Responsibilities of the directors for the financial report

The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the finaneial report, the directors are responsible for assessing the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

The directors are responsible for overseeing the Company's financial reporting process.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial report

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of this financial report.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial report is located at the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board website at: http://www.auasb.qov.au/auditors responsibilities/ar4.pdf This description forms part of our auditor's report.

GRANT THORNTON AUDIT PTY LTD Chartered Accountants

HA

Wilkes Partner - Audit & Assurance

-��.,.; Cairns, 1.1 �\eJA/2021