Healthcare Services and Information
Metro North Hospital and Health Service offers services for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community across our five public hospitals, various community health centres, residential care facilities and mobile and outreach teams.
Healthcare Services
Metro North Hospital and Health Service has Indigenous Health Liaison Officers (IHLO) working within each hospital across the Metro North catchment area. The staff at each location are on hand to assist with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients presenting at any of the hospitals, providing the following support:
- Bedside visits to explain the hospital system and act as a liaison between patients, their families and hospital staff regarding treatment
- Assist patients and their families to access hospital and community support services
- Transportation support for eligible patients
- Coordination of care from hospital to home including rural, remote and regional patients
- Facilitate and participate in family meetings
- Assist with language barriers
- Assist with Inter-hospital transfers.
Easily identifiable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander access phones are located at the main entrance of The Royal Brisbane and Women’s, Caboolture and Redcliffe Hospitals. These phones have direct dialling to the IHLO offices.
Contact
Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
Phone: (07) 3647 9535
The Prince Charles Hospital
Phone: (07) 3139 6300
Caboolture Hospital
Phone: (07) 54336 8249
Redcliffe Hospital
Phone: (07) 3049 6791
The Health Worker works within multidisciplinary teams to provide culturally appropriate support, advice, guidance and advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers and treating teams. Health Workers provide a range of health services depending upon the work setting and individual scope of practice. These may include:
- Cultural assessment and screening of social and emotional wellbeing
- Health education for risk factors (tobacco, alcohol, healthy eating, physical activity)
- Facilitate care plans and/or treatment plans activities in partnership with clinicians.
- Encourage and support patients in self-care and self-management
- Advocate for consumers and families in the hospital environment, negotiating satisfactory outcomes for all parties and facilitating effective communication in a flexible and empathetic manner
- Providing advice, support and training on culturally appropriate practices to other health professionals, policy makers, researchers and educators
- Provide ongoing consultation and liaison with the relevant clinician to ensure that cultural support and guidance is available following the allocation process and throughout the process of case management for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers.
Contact
Phone: (07) 3646 0784
The Indigenous Community Liaison Workers are a part of the Referral and Navigation Services within Community and Oral Health Services and provide culturally appropriate support, advocacy and advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities within the Metro North catchment, from the Brisbane River to Kilcoy on health-related issues by providing:
- Advocacy for consumers and families
- Co-ordination of care
- Home visits
- Health promotion with a specific focus on chronic disease and risk factors
- Transport to health appointments for eligible clients
- Referral to appropriate GP, Allied Health and Specialist medical services and supporting services
Contact
Central Referral
Phone: 1300 658 252
Fax: (07) 3360 4822
Cultural Capability Officers are responsible for building a culturally capable workforce through the provision of culturally appropriate support, advice and training. Awareness content will address the needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community which includes; patients, their families and the larger communities. This role includes:
- Assuming a role of leadership in the provision of cultural advice and guidance across the facility
- Orientation and face to face training sessions for all MNHHS staff, as part of the mandatory Cultural Capability Program
- Active promotion and development of staff cultural capability through the provision of mentoring/coaching, resource development, workshops and targeted staff education including; accurate Indigenous patient identification and discharge against medical advice.
- Cultural audits of facilities and services to identify areas for ongoing service improvement
- Undertaking community liaison by closely communicating and cooperating with relevant government and non-government agencies.
Contact
Caboolture / Redcliffe Hospital
Phone: 0437 756 698
The Prince Charles Hospital
Phone: (07) 3139 6623
Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
Phone: (07) 3646 7661
General contact
Ngarrama is a free antenatal and birthing service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families who choose to birth at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Caboolture, Kilcoy and Redcliffe Hospitals.
Any woman who is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or any woman whose baby is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander can use the service.
How can we help you?
Early care
- It’s important we know about your pregnancy early to support you and your baby with a strong start to life
Cultural centred care
- Care is and feels culturally and clinically safe during pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after birth
- You are involved in decision making
Access to specialist care
- Access to an Advanced Indigenous Health Worker
- Access to obstetricians and other specialists if required
Home visits
- Pregnancy check-ups at a location suitable to you
- Appointments are offered either in your birthing hospital, community clinic or in your home as needed
Strong start to life for baby
- Check-ups and support after your baby is born for up to 6 weeks
- Breastfeeding support and guidance
- Contraception information
Support with navigating
- The hospital system
- Liaison with other clinical staff
Extra care and support
- Housing referrals and support
- Smoking cessation education and assistance
- Child health education and guidance
Contact
Ngarrama Caboolture
Indigenous Health Worker: 0439 732 970
Pregnancy issues call Birth Suite: 5433 8888
Caboolture Hospital: McKean St, Caboolture
Community Clinic: 12 King St, Caboolture
Ngarrama Redcliffe
Maternity ward: 3883 7709
Indigenous Health Worker: 0407251890
Redcliffe Hospital: Anzac Ave, Redcliffe
Ngarrama Royal
Phone: 3646 3759
Indigenous Health Worker: 0428 404 875
Email: Ngarrama.royal@health.qld.gov.au
Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH)
Level 5, Ned Hanlon Building,
Butterfield St, Herston
ICOP is a specialised cardiac outreach service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in rural and remote communities in Queensland. ICOP is a tertiary service which consists of a multidisciplinary team delivering early intervention, risk management and pathology assessment, delivering point of care, diagnostic and consultation in cardiovascular and chronic disease screening. Established in 2007, ICOP currently services 35 rural and remote sites across Queensland.
The team consists of a Specialist Cardiologist, Echocardiogram Scientist, Cardiac Nurse and Indigenous Program Coordinator. As required patient consults involve patients receiving an ECG, pathology, various simple points of care testing including HbA1c (blood glucose), lipid profiling (cholesterol), BNP (brain natriuretic peptide measures cardiac protein levels) and EPOC (blood gas).
Referral
Can be made through an Indigenous Health Worker or any local Doctor- or make an appointment with the ICOP via the email or phone number below:
Location: Building 7 Lower Ground Floor Administration Building, The Prince Charles Hospital
Phone: (07) 3139 3246
Email: TPCH_ICOP@health.qld.gov.au
Open: Monday-Friday 8.00am to 4.00pm
The Indigenous Sexual Health team provide culturally appropriate support, advocacy and advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities within the Metro North catchment, from the Brisbane River to Kilcoy on various men’s and women’s business by providing;
- Treatment access
- Education
- Prevention advice and service including condom distribution
- Transport and client support for specialised medical appointments
- Other service referrals
- Community engagement including home visits
- Health promotion, focused around sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood borne viruses (BBVs)
- Men’s and Women’s reproductive health / fertility advice- (Cultural support)
- Discreet contact tracing for sexually transmissible infections and blood borne viruses
Contact
Phone: (07) 3360 4753
The Nurse Navigators are expected to operate beyond the traditional silos of care and work with other healthcare providers to address the needs of the consumer while recognising that flexibility is required to meet individual/ community needs. There are 4 Navigation principles which aim to support the consumer journey in what has become increasingly complex health systems. This facilitation will be achieved by reducing fragmentation, mitigating barriers, educating, empowering and coordinating consumer driven care. These roles are intended to transcend across multiple specialities, support nurse-led service models, and augment existing models of care within a facility or clinical area.
- use a multi-disciplinary approach to monitor complex care patients, identify actions required to manage their health care and direct patients to the right service, at the right time and in the right place.
- provide a central point of communication and engagement to ensure optimal care and coordination of services along a patient’s entire health care journey.
- educate and help patients to better understand their health conditions, enabling them to self-manage, participate in decisions about their health care and improve their own health outcomes.
Contact
Each MNHHS site with a Navigator has their own referral path, referral will be via your existing hospital or community health services pathway.
Indigenous Mental Health Intervention Program (IMHIP) is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led, multidisciplinary, social and emotional wellbeing service for Indigenous people in custody.
IMHIP provides a culturally safe recovery model framework to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with complex needs, who are in custody, to reintegrate into the community and establishes contacts with appropriate mental health services
An offer of service may be provided by either the IMHIP worker or clinician and is a voluntary service.
The IMHIP service will:
- ensure appropriate cultural consideration shapes assessment, treatment and care
- recognise trauma, and grief and loss (including inter-generational trauma) in the care needs
- recognise family and kinship bonds and responsibility
- recognise individual and cultural strengths, creativity and endurance
The role IMHIP service can provide:
- early identification of mental health and/or social and emotional wellbeing needs
- mental health and/or social and emotional wellbeing assessment support
- support for return to community (transition and post-release support)
- linkages and referrals to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations and community organisations for ongoing support
Contact
Phone: (07) 3234 0800
Health Information
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is a Commonwealth Government initiative that posts a free test kit to eligible men and women aged 50-74 years to test for early signs of bowel cancer. By 2020, all eligible Australians aged between 50 and 74 years will be invited to screen every two years. This could save up to 500 lives annually, and significantly reduce the burden of bowel cancer on Australians and their families.
Contact
- National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Infoline: 1800 118 868
- Queensland Health Cancer Screening Unit: (07) 3328 9467
- Metro North Nurse Coordinator: (07) 3139 4106 or Mobile 0408 728 777
Breast cancer is a major health issue for women. The causes of breast cancer are not fully understood and opportunities for preventing the disease are extremely limited. Age is the best indicator of risk, with more than 75% of all breast cancer occurring in women aged over 50.
The most effective proven method of intervention, to reduce death and illness from breast cancer, is through regular screening of women using mammography (breast x-ray). Finding breast cancer early reduces the chances of dying from the disease and can simplify treatment and reduce recovery time.
Breast Screen for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women
Listen to the following testimonials from health workers who support their communities in many ways and have played a major role in increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in BreastScreen Queensland’s screening program.
Contact
Breast Screen Queensland
Phone: 13 20 50
Website: www.breastscreen.qld.gov.au
Brisbane City
David Jones Rose Clinic
Level 2, Queens Plaza
149 Adelaide Street,
Brisbane
Northwest Community Health Centre
49 Corrigan Street,
Keperra
Indooroopilly Shopping Centre
Level 1 (next to Kmart)
Musgrave Road,
Indooroopilly
Kippa-Ring
Shop 4 Kippa-Ring Village
Boardman Road,
Kippa-Ring
North Lakes
Ground Floor,
North Lakes Health Precinct
9 Endeavour Boulevard,
North Lakes
If you are 25 to 74 years old, female and have ever been sexually active, you should have your first cervical screening test 2 years after your last Pap smear. This includes people vaccinated and unvaccinated for HPV as well as people who identify as lesbian or transgender. If you are turning 25 years old, or are aged 25 to 74 years and have never had a Pap Smear or Cervical Screening Test before, you should make an appointment with your healthcare provider to have a Cervical Screening Test.
Contact
Phone: 13 15 56
Website: www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/screening/cancer/cervical
Diabetes is a serious complex condition which can affect the entire body. Diabetes requires daily self-care and if complications develop, diabetes can have a significant impact on quality of life and can reduce life expectancy. While there is currently no cure for diabetes, you can live an enjoyable life by learning about the condition and effectively managing it.
There are different types of diabetes; all types are complex and serious. The three main types of diabetes are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.
How does diabetes affect the body?
When someone has diabetes, their body can’t maintain healthy levels of glucose in the blood. Glucose is a form of sugar which is the main source of energy for our bodies. Unhealthy levels of glucose in the blood can lead to long term and short term health complications.
For our bodies to work properly we need to convert glucose (sugar) from food into energy. A hormone called insulin is essential for the conversion of glucose into energy. In people with diabetes, insulin is no longer produced or not produced in sufficient amounts by the body. When people with diabetes eat glucose, which is in foods such as breads, cereals, fruit and starchy vegetables, legumes, milk, yoghurt and sweets, it can’t be converted into energy.
Contact
Diabetes Australia
Phone: 13 15 56
Website: www.diabetesaustralia.com.au
National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS)
The NDSS Helpline service is for people with diabetes, their family members and carers.
NDSS Helpline: 1300 136 588
Kidney disease (also called renal disease) is a general term for when the kidneys are damaged and don’t function as they should.
Kidney disease can be treated once diagnosed. However, in many cases it goes undetected until serious damage has been done, so it’s important to seek medical advice if you notice any symptoms.
What do your kidneys do?
You have 2 kidneys, 1 either side of your backbone, just above the small of your back. Each kidney is about the size of a closed fist.
The main role of the kidneys is to filter your blood to remove waste. As well, your kidneys help control blood pressure, produce red blood cells, and keep your bones strong.
Contact
Contact your local General Practitioner or Aboriginal Medical Centre
Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are common and increasing in Australia, including Queensland.
Keep yourself safe, healthy and sexy with regular testing, protection and correct sexual health information. Visit the Stop the Rise website for more information.
Contact
Aspley Community Health Centre
Phone: (07) 3360 4777
Website (Queensland Government information): www.qld.gov.au/health/staying-healthy/sexual-health
Website (Metro North Sexual Health and HIV Services): metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/hospitals-services/sexual-health-hiv-services
As a non-smoker, you’ll save thousands of dollars a year. This makes quitting one of the best ways to save money. The average pack of 20 cigarettes costs around $25, increasing to $40 by 2020, making the savings for a pack-a-day smoker $9,125 annually.
Smoking hurts your body and your wallet, you can feel proud of your decision to quit, and treat yourself with the money you save. You might choose to buy rugby tickets, a new TV or renovate the house. It’s up to you.
The second you quit smoking, your body starts to heal. In time you’ll find yourself fitter, healthier overall and less stressed. Being a non-smoker comes with so many benefits to how you feel inside and out. And the more years you stay quit, the more of them you gain.
Contact
Quitline
Phone: 13 78 48
Website: www.quit.org.au
Creating a strong start to life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies, increased antenatal care and follow up, coordination of services for complex pregnancies, immunisation, screening in the first 1000 days, ensuring smoking cessation before 20 weeks.
Contact
Phone: 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
Website: www.qld.gov.au/health/children/babies/clinics
Oral health is an important part of overall health. Keeping a healthy smile is more than just about teeth – it is an important part of general health. Poor oral health is linked to diabetes, heart disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes, stroke and respiratory conditions.
Oral health is also an important part of social and emotional health for people of all ages.
The Queensland Government is committed to improving the oral health of Queenslanders. The main diseases that affect oral health are tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancers. These conditions are largely preventable.
Contact
Phone: 1300 300 850
Website: metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/hospitals-services/oral-health-services
Immunisation is a simple and effective way of protecting yourself and your family.
Immunisation works by triggering the immune system to fight against certain diseases. If a vaccinated person meets these diseases, their immune system is able to respond more effectively. This either prevents the disease from developing or reduces the severity. Immunisation not only protects your own family, but also others by helping to control serious diseases in our community.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can get extra vaccines for free through the National Immunisation Program (NIP). These extra vaccinations are to protect you against serious disease. These extra immunisations are in addition to all the other routine vaccinations offered throughout life.
More about immunisation for:
Contact
Please visit our COVID-19 page for information on how to help stop the spread and protect your mob from COVID-19.
Talk-About newsletter
Read our Talk About Newsletter covering program updates, events, community stories and staff profiles.
