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Ear health visits to Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
2nd August 2023
In July, RDN’s Project Officer for the Ear Health Coordination Program Bec Stone and Mafi Kailahi, the Ear and Eye Health Programs Officer from the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW (AH&MRC), visited Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service (TAMS), Werin Aboriginal Corporation Medical Clinic at Port Macquarie, and Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service at Kempsey.
They met with practice managers and clinical teams to discuss ear health initiatives, including mapping ear health services and programs, identifying gaps and barriers to accessing quality ear health care by the Aboriginal community, and the need for ear health equipment. Also discussed were the ear and hearing health services funded through RDN’s Outreach program.
The teams at Werin and Durri, expressed interest for ear and hearing health training in Otoscopy, Tympanometry plus audiometry training for their Aboriginal health staff. This request for training was extended to include all the ACCHSs on the Mid-North Coast. Planning is now underway to have workshop training in the coming months.
Mafi and Bec spent time in Tamworth with the team at TAMS to support the planning of their Cultural Day and training as Ear Train from TAFE provided Otoscopy and Tympanometry training earlier this month.
The training was available to all ACCHSs across the New England region. They also conducted ear and eye health screenings at TAMS for the community.
The practice managers and clinical staff at the ACCHS expressed their commitment to prioritising ear health within the Aboriginal community and in upskilling the workforce through opportunities such as the Certificate IV in Audiometry offered through TAFE NSW.
At Katungul Aboriginal Corporation Regional Health and Community Services in Narooma, Bec and Mafi met with the CEO and Executive Director to discuss the ACCHS’s clinical service locations in Batemans Bay, Bega, and Narooma. The focus was on accessing specialist services, establishing strong collaboration with the local health district, and ensuring availability of ENT services/resources and ear health training. This engagement provided an opportunity to enhance knowledge and understanding of the overall operational perspective, contributing to the holistic quality of care provided to Ear health programs and teams in collaboration with AH&MRC and RDN.
IMAGE: RDN's Bec Stone and Mafi Kailahi visit the Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service (TAMS)
If you would like to discuss coordination of ear and hearing health services in your region, contact the RDN Outreach team at outreach@nswrdn.com.au.
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