Winning partnership
9 December 2010
Strong Family Strong Culture contributes to award winning
partnership
St John of God Health Care is delighted to
have been recognised in the WA Health Awards 2010, contributing to
the winning entry in the Partnerships category alongside Carnarvon
Hospital, WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Midwest and Carnarvon
Aboriginal Medical Centre.
Aboriginal health service Strong Family,
Strong Culture – part of St John of God Health Care’s commitment to
Social Outrach and Advocacy – is established throughout
regional Western Australia and is actively engaged in partnership
with Carnarvon’s True Culture, True Care Mothers and Babies
Program.
Strong Family, Strong Culture works to
increase birth weights and health of pregnant women and young
children through improved nutrition and access to better clinical
care. On the back of this, True Culture, True Care aims to improve
Aboriginal maternal and child health in the Gascoyne area through
working with non-government organisations and the Department of
Education.
Regional coordinator for Strong Family, Strong
Culture in the Gascoyne, Camille Mallard, works with Carnarvon
Hospital to engage local people in antenatal care, breast feeding
programs, child hearing tests, child health checks and developing
behaviours in the early years to improve school readiness.
Group Coordinator for Strong Family, Strong
Culture at St John of God Health Care, Cissy Cox, said: “Working in
partnership with other service providers is essential in improving
the social determinants of health in Aboriginal communities. We are
delighted that our work with Carnarvon Hospital has been recognised
with the Partnership Award in the 2010 WA Health Awards and we are
committed to further developing our expertise in Aboriginal health
across regional Western Australia.”
The WA Health Awards were held at the
University Club of Western Australia on Tuesday, 7th December, to
recognise and reward individuals and organisations that have
demonstrated best practice in Western Australia's health
system.
Health Director General Kim Snowball said:
"More than 100 submissions were received for this year's awards.
Winners were selected from eight categories that represent key
priorities for WA Health."
"As Director General, I am fortunate to see
and hear about the wide range of WA Health activities, which are
improving services and outcomes for patients and the community," Mr
Snowball said.
"Award programs such as the WA Health Awards
play a vital role in recognising the outstanding work that is
carried out by WA Health staff on a daily basis.
"I congratulate all 2010 finalists and applaud
them for their commitment to improving the health system in Western
Australia."
St John of God Health Care’s expertise in
Aboriginal perinatal and infant mental health has been further
recognised by Social Outreach and Advocacy professionals being
included on a new Statewide Aboriginal Child Health Project
Interagency Steering Group for Western Australia. Group Manager for
Early Years, Anna Roberts, and Group Coordinator of Strong Family,
Strong Culture, Cissy Cox, will provide experience and clinical
guidance to the committee which aims to ensure all Aboriginal
children (particularly those from birth to five years of age) and
their families have access to and receive appropriate health
care.