Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council

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    Programs – Sector Development

    Accreditation

    QAIHC provides accreditation support to Members to assist with achieving and maintaining accreditation for a broad range of standards. Many Members have multiple accreditations that speak to different standards. Each standard has multiple layers/levels and cross-over with other standards, so accreditation support can become complex.

    Preparation for accreditation is detailed and requires consistent and ongoing work; involving combing through processes to identify gaps and addressing these gaps. To draw the threads together over multiple layers and levels is a daunting task. However, QAIHC is here to support Members in achieving their accreditation(s).

    Melita Parker is QAIHC’s Manager of Compliance and Quality with many years of experience in the sector as well as deep experience the in delivery of accreditation support for Members, through QAIHC’s Sector Development division.

    The accreditation role currently performs:

    • Accreditation management
    • Accreditation co-ordination
    • Training for Members
    • Strategic advice regarding preparation for accreditation
    • Online, telephone and onsite support for Members
    • Document development for QAIHC and Member processes
    • External auditing to maintain professional certification.

    Melita has developed the QAIHC Seven Stage Accreditation Support Model to assist Members through this process. While Members can enter the support process of the Model at any stage, Melita recommends that Members begin at stage one and progress through the stages to ensure the best outcomes.

    QAIHC currently provides accreditation services under a fee for service model and by needs based application.

    Elder Care Support Program

    Research has shown that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people do not currently access aged care at a rate that meets their level of need. Barriers that prevent or discourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from accessing aged care services include:

    • Difficulty navigating a confusing aged care system
    • A lack of service providers close to home (e.g., a person must move away from family and Country to access aged care)
    • A lack of culturally appropriate and/or trauma informed care
    • Experiences of racism
    • Distrust of institutional care because of both personal and historical experiences.

    To address these barriers and build on existing strengths, the QAIHC Elder Care Support program aims to increase workforce capability and capacity and empower the sector to coordinate place-based support to Community. This program is delivered by the Sector Development Division.

    QAIHC Elder Care Support Program supports ACCHOs that are best placed to recruit locally and are highly skilled at providing the wraparound support needed to guide new staff in their transition into the care workforce. This includes delivery of non-accredited training; mentoring and support; advocacy; and delivery of jurisdictional aged care communications, yarning circles as well as other place based and culturally informed activities.

    The Elder Care Support Program is funded by NACCHO.

    Ear and Hearing Health Coordinator Project

    QAIHC is contracted by NACCHO to lead initiatives that strengthen the capacity, capability and confidence of hearing health workers across Queensland’s community-controlled sector as well as building relationships across the hearing health sector.

    Working closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health organisations (ACCHOs), this project supports workforce development, improves rates of hearing health access, and encourages the delivery of culturally safe and evidence based clinical practices–addressing emerging needs within the sector.

    As part of the Sector Development Division, this project offers the chance to drive meaningful change, foster collaboration, and advocate for evidence-based, culturally appropriate service delivery models and partnerships with external providers. The position of hearing health coordinator provides an opportunity to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders and make a lasting impact on the hearing health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

    Goals for QAIHC Ear and Hearing Health Coordinator Project include:

    • A particular focus on supporting access to culturally safe, high-quality, evidence-based ear and hearing health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait lslander children and youth.
    • Building the capability and capacity of the ACCHO ear and hearing health workforce.
    • Supporting services to strengthen data management systems to collect and report clinical data on Otitis media and the treatment/s provided.
    • Supporting services to establish and maintain place-based partnerships with external services, which uphold principles of shared decision making and co-design.

    My Health for Life

    My Health for Life is a lifestyle program that uses funded health coaching sessions to support people in building healthier habits to prevent chronic disease. This program is coordinated at QAIHC by the Sector Development Division. There are four priority populations for My Health for Life and these include:

    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
    • Men
    • People from rural, regional and remote areas
    • Culturally and linguistically diverse people.

    Taking it one step at a time, the program has no hard training or diets and aims to help participants work on a holistic approach to health. This includes how people eat, sleep move and exercise as well as, importantly, ensuring connection with others. The key is building good habits day by day. Participants stay in control and work together with their health coaches to find ways to live their best life. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 18 years are eligible to join the program.

    The six sessions can be delivered over 6-18 weeks, face-to-face or over the phone; and use workbooks designed by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They sessions are flexible and can include other programs and resources such as the QAIHC My Health My Way preventative health resources.

    For more information about My Health for Life talk to your local ACCHO or click here.

    The My Health for life program is funded by Health and Wellbeing Queensland. QAIHC coordinates delivery under contract to Diabetes Association Limited.

    Supporting the Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Our Communities

    QAIHC’s Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) team works alongside Member services to strengthen the capacity, confidence, and responsiveness of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander SEWB and Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) workforce.

    The team support frontline staff, supervisors, and managers to meet the growing need for SEWB, mental health, and AOD support across our communities. QAIHC’s programs are designed with and for Community, ensuring they are culturally safe, relevant, and effective.

    Through workforce development, training, and support initiatives, the team helps build a strong SEWB workforce that can respond to both immediate needs and long-term wellbeing challenges in ways that honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values and lived experiences.

    QAIHC also hosts regular SEWB State Gatherings, forums, and workshops to connect and support workers on the ground; helping them stay informed, connected, and empowered in their roles.

    For further information or assistance please email sewb@qaihc.com.au.

    Palliative Care Support

    Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities experience unusually high levels of grief due to frequent losses and near-constant Sorry Business. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 42 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander respondents reported the death of a family member or close friend within the past year. These profound losses contribute to what is described as “malignant grief,” a form of cumulative grief that spans generations and significantly impacts the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities. 1

    Evidence suggests Aboriginals and/or Torres Strait Islanders often have a poor experience navigating the mainstream health system’s palliative care structures. Experiences of institutional racism and fear of the services – due to a lack of culturally appropriate and adequately trained personnel – create barriers to accessing suitable services and often contribute to late referral to palliative care.

    Palliative care admittance data from 2020-21, released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, demonstrates Australia’s clear underinvestment in First Nations community-led palliative care capacity. 2

    Consultation with communities found most people prefer to receive palliative care at home or within their community. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health organisations (ACCHOs) with their deep cultural knowledge and networks, are ideally positioned to provide comprehensive, culturally safe palliative care services in their community.

    Key elements of this community-based palliative care framework include:

    1. Culturally informed and safe quality palliative care:
    2. Community-led, team-based care:
    3. Family-centred care:
    4. Returning to Country:
    5. Grief and bereavement support:

    Ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have access to culturally appropriate, holistic, family-centred and community-led palliative care is essential.

    Palliative care led by ACCHOs can significantly improve the quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with life-limiting illnesses, their families, and communities.

    Queensland Health’s budget commitment to reshape the system supports shifting healthcare from hospitals to community health services run by ACCHOs and recognises the cost-effectiveness of ACCHOs to provide comprehensive community based health services.

    You can read QAIHC’s Position Statement on community-controlled palliative care services here.

    1. Parker, R., & Milroy, H. (2014). Mental illness in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In P. Dudgeon, H. Milroy, & R. Walker (Eds.), Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing principles and practice (2nd ed., pp. 113–125). Commonwealth of Australia
    2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023, May 25). Data tables: Admitted patient care and specialised facilities for palliative care 2020–21 [Data table]. In Palliative care services in Australia. Australian Government. https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/2859d11c-bb2e-4a1c-8573-1b3daec50e3d/Data-tables-Admitted-patient-care-palliative-care-andexpenditure_2020-21.xlsx.aspx

    Preventive Health – Cancer Care

    QAIHC is contracted to NACCHO to improve cancer outcomes for Aboriginal and Tores Strait Islander people across Queensland through culturally safe, coordinated and community-led approaches in the cancer care sector.

    As part of the Sector Development Division, the QAIHC Preventive Health – Cancer Care program aims to develop strong partnerships with state and territory governments, ensuring culturally safe cancer policy planning. The aim is to improve access to, and the quality of, cancer services delivered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health organisations (ACCHOs). The program is a step toward equity in cancer care, contributing to improved experiences and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and supports Closing the Gap measures relating to health disparities.

    Goals for QAIHC Preventive Health – Cancer Care program include:

    • Collaborating with government and ACCHOs to influence the development of relevant and culturally appropriate cancer policies and programs.
    • Working with NACCHO, ACCHOs, and government to enhance the delivery and accessibility of cancer services.
    • Supporting development and implementation of a statewide cancer plan that reflects needs and priorities of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
    • Promoting cancer awareness and increasing participation in screening programs through targeted community and stakeholder engagement