Working together with our partner organisations has continued to strengthen in 2021-22 assisting a coordinated approach towards the shared goal of better health for Western Queenslanders.

Nukal Murra Alliance

Nukal Murra Alliance (NMA) members work collaboratively with other funded agencies to support the re-direction of funds to Indigenous Health programs through the Nukal Murra Health Support Services to improve the health, social and emotional wellbeing of our communities across the Western Queensland region.

Key members of the Alliance met in October to discuss significant Strategic Health Reports for planning and review over the next 3-5 years for Indigenous Health in the Western Queensland Region. 

Initiatives include but not be limited to:

• Grow Your Own Workforce Program – Developed to build the capacity of the health workforce, particularly regional, rural and remote areas by supporting place-based education to employment opportunities within NMA organisations.
• Virtual Health Services (VHS) Program - Goondir Aboriginal Medical Services was chosen to manage and administer the VHS Program across the Alliance Organisations.  The implementation of the program aims to improve the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to a standard level equal to the wider Australian community.

Nukal Murra Alliance organisations will be equipped with the appropriate medical resources and devices to deliver programs in a culturally appropriate and sensitive manner..

• Social and Emotional Wellbeing - SEWB – WQPHN has recruited a full-time SEWB Regional Coordinator as a 12 month funding project to undertake and build capacity of NMA services, to enhance existing mental health services and mental health promotional supports for our First Nation people.  Training and development strategies will include addressing a skill shortage in the areas of recruitment and retention of SEWB Champions and Trainers.
• SEWB and Mental Health Training and Development Program - developed to support all NMA Organisations.  The Program has been rolled out and provided to two of the member services by an Outreach Private Consultant Service “Wakai Waian Healing” and Founder, Mr Edward Mosby (Senior Psychologist).  The Service provides support with delivery of individual and group therapeutic services, supports local SEWB Workers and their co-workers with mentoring/supervision with the view towards professional development and self-care as well as providing direct support and guidance towards enhancement of community and service collaboration and capacity building efforts.
• Alliance ITC Program - The Care Access Manager commissioned through CWAATSICH has commenced scheduling dates for community and stakeholder visits, including care coordination services of clients across the WQ region.

Nukal Murra Report Cards continue to be supplied regularly to NMA and Clinical Chapter members to measure the uptake of ITC services.

Reshaping the way we deliver health services through the Nukal Murra Health Support Service also has considerable impact on the public health system - saving $3.48 in avoided hospital costs for every $1 invested.

Maranoa Accord

North West Tripartite Agreement

For the North West Tripartite Agreement partners;  

• Gidgee Healing  
• North West Hospital and Health Service and  
• WQPHN 

With COVID-19 making it difficult for the leaders of partner organisations to meet face-to-face, we continued to work together through on-the-ground services in our commitment to improve the health of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of North West Queensland. The CEOs and Chairs of the partner organisations plan to work further on strengthening the Tripartite Agreement in the coming year.