New health navigation service supports First Nations communities in Moreton Bay

A new culturally safe health navigation service has begun in Moreton Bay to support First Nations people better negotiate their health journey.

Community and Oral Health (COH) Nurse Navigator Suzy Warren said the new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Nurse Navigation Service supported First Nations people with complex chronic disease and medical conditions who need help navigating health and community services.

“As part of the new service, we advocate for and coordinate culturally appropriate care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families,” she said.

“It’s about having a yarn to the patients about what they need, then linking them to health services and home supports.

“We visit patients in their home, assist patients to attend health care appointments while other services are identified and put in place.

“We work in partnership with the patient, family/carers, allied health, nursing, and other treating teams to develop individualised care plans.

“These plans can encompass the physical, social, emotional, spiritual and cultural well-being of the individual and the whole of the community.”

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurse Navigation Service aims to improve health equity and address the challenges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have when accessing health services in comparison to other Australians.

“We link people to disability supports, ongoing therapies and health assessments, and home support after comprehensive health and social assessments,” she said.

“We can also assist with My Aged Care and NDIS applications where appropriate, and health education where necessary.”

The new navigation service is also about addressing some of the barriers faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander such as the lack of access and distance to healthcare services.

“Cultural understanding of services and staff can also impact the delivery of care,” Suzy said.

“First Nations people who have lost some connection with country, community and kinship circles may also need extra help.”

Suzy, a Mitakoodi woman with family in Cloncurry, said the service also provided patients with links to GP services.

The new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Nurse Navigation Service is delivered by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurse navigator and advanced health worker Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 4.30 pm.

Suzy said First Nations people in Moreton Bay and North Brisbane can self refer.

They can also ask any hospital, non-Government organisation or community health professional, indigenous health liaison officer or GP to refer them by emailing COH-IndigenousNavigation@health.qld.gov.au

To be eligible for the free service the patient must identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and be 18 years of age or over or transitioning from paediatric services.

Other eligibility criteria including having a complex medical and social concern, have high presentation rates to emergency departments and/or at a high risk of deterioration.

The service is delivered through face-to-face visits, through telehealth and/or over the phone.