Dullgu Gummurr Meaning:
The heart is being looked after by many hearts as depicted with the blue, green/gray lines surrounding it from small to large. Perhaps the outer heart could represent NNSWLHD or Aboriginal Medical Services or combined and the others representing arms of the health system and the closest being family.
By Graeme F Walker
From Left to right: Carmel Monagahan, Emma Ridgway and Anthony Franks
The Agency for Clinical Innovation, Clinical Excellence Commission, Health Education and Training Institute, Bureau of Health Information, Cancer Institute NSW, eHealth NSW, the Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Branch and Health and Social Policy Branch hosted the 2018 NSW Patient Experience Symposium (PExS 2018), held in Sydney in April.
Representing the Northern NSW LHD, Anthony Franks, Aboriginal Chronic Care Officer attended along with Emma Ridgway, RN, Chronic Care for Aboriginal People and Carmel Monaghan, Aboriginal Liasison Officer, presenting their submission “Heart Disease Awareness in Aboriginal Women in Northern NSW”.
In addition to presenting, the LHD staff took the opportunity to network, learn and share their ideas, work and projects with delegates from across NSW Health and health consumers and carers.
The aim of this program was to provide a culturally supportive and safe environment where Aboriginal women felt their voices could be heard and their stories shared.
The Program provided education workshops for women from 7 sites within Northern NSWLHD. 15 women with existing CVD and their choice of female buddy were formally invited to participate. The “bring a buddy” approach was designed to gain interest of the next generation of women.
Education and information in each workshop was delivered by health staff known to the respective communities.
Topics covered:
- Risk Factors
- Signs and Symptoms
- Nutrition; Exercise
- Smokerlyser
- Stress Reduction
Upon registration the women received information packs and completed a risk-factor form. They were provided Heart Disease awreness, delivered by a Cardiac Nurse then were actively involved in Goal Setting, led by an Aboriginal Chronic Care Officer.
The participants received Calico bags emblazened with artwork by Graeme F Walker, local Bundjalung man. The “Dullgu Gummurr” bags were full of goodies such as
- Heart Foundation Packs (National Heart Foundation Australia WA Division)
- Stress Hearts (National Heart Foundation Australia NSW Division)
- Hand Books (Developed by Steering Committee)
- Risk Factors Forms (National Heart Foundation Australia NSW Division)
- Pedometers (National Heart Foundation Australia NSW Division)
- TheraBand
- NSW Get Healthy Information
Quotes and feedback from participants:
The Overall Success:
Number of health heart checks following program – 58% of participants said they would go for a heart health check
Number of women who accessed NSW Quit-line and Get Healthy Program:
- 17% of participants were smokers and 19% of the smokers requested follow-up from quit smoking program
- Get Healthy Program 65% of the participants requested follow –up, 38 women signed up to NSW Get Healthy Coaching Service.
- Following the workshops there was a number of women wanting to access Aboriginal Healthy Lifestyle program within their local health district to sustain healthy lifestyles.
Organisational partners / Steering Committee Membership Representative
Tammy Johnson Tweed Heads On Track Community Program Ltd
Marilyn Tolman Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service
Troy Combo, Kylie Wyndham Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation
Deb Caldwell Richmond Valley Clinic
Mark Roberts Revolution Fitness EP
Gail Turnbull Solid Mob
Vicki Williams Jullums Aboriginal Medical Services Lismore
Darren Kershaw Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation Grafton
Ruth Taylor, Claire Malseed, Kim Gussy, Susan Pavlovic/Parker North Coast Primary Health Network
Sue Rowell, Carmel Monaghan, Ronella Mulheran, Rebecca Davey, Kerry Wilcox, Judy Thomas, Anthony Franks, Jimmahl Williams Northern NSW Local Health District
