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Wangaratta - Wodonga - Myrtleford
Quality of Care &
Annual Report 2014 – 2015
“People living well”
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Contents
Message from the CEO ································ ································ · 4
We Care Bladder Health Program ································ ································ 5 World Diabetes Day ································ ································ ······ 6
Christmas Tree of Remembrance ································ ···················· 7
Gambler‟s Help ································ ································ ············ 8
Gender Identity Group (GIG) ································ ·························· 9
Active Rural Communities (ARC) ································ ····················· 10
LAUNCH ································ ································ ···················· 11
Alcohol and other drugs (AOD)..………………………………………………..12
We Work Together Victims Assistance Program 13 Questioning service response to those with Borderline Personality Disorder 14 Gateway Health Active Staff ································ ··························· 15
Gateway Health Active Staff continued ································ ············· 16
Community Food For All ································ ································ 17
Building a Local Food Future ································ ·························· 18
Communities Latching on to Breastfeeding (CLBF) ······························ 19
Community Link “Friendly Visitor Program” ································ ········ 20
Community Transport································ ································ ···· 21
Culture Club ································ ································ ··············· 22
Gateway Health - Wodonga
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Contents
Volunteers ································ ································ ·················· 23
We Innovate headspace ································ ································ ················· 24
Equine Assisted Therapy ································ ······························· 25
Ophelia - Optimising Health Literacy to Improve Health & Equity ············· 26
New Allied Health Assistant Care Coordinator ································ ···· 27
Pilot Project: Lawyer at Wodonga site ································ ··············· 28
Pilot Project: Improving Shared Care Coordination ······························ 29
We achieve New Building - Wangaratta site ································ ······················· 30-33 Gateway Health Multicultural Clinic ································ ·················· 34
Accreditation ································ ································ ··············· 35
Community Inclusion ································ ································ ···· 36
Gateway Health enters the digital arena ································ ············ 37
Positive Parenting Telephone Service ································ ··············· 38
We learn Student Placements ································ ································ ····· 39
Healthy Together Wodonga ································ ···························· 40
Healthy Together Wodonga: Where to find fresh fruit & vegetables ········· 41
Chlamydia testing of 12-16 year olds in a Rural Sexual Health Clinic ······· 42
People Matter Survey ································ ································ ··· 43
Annual Report ································ ································ ············· 44-62
Gateway Health - Myrtleford
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Message from the
CEO
Leonard Peady
Gateway Health Limited has now been operating for 12 months as the merged entities of
Ovens & King Community Health Service and Gateway Community Health. Much has
occurred over this 12 month period to consolidate the two organisations with lots of
„behind the scene‟ activity. We have joined programs together, restructured the
organisation, appointed new General Managers, consolidated payroll and finance
systems etc. We have completed the new purpose built community health facility in
Mackay Street Wangaratta (featured on the front of this report) and recruited new
Directors.
However, with all this „back of house‟ activity, we have maintained our focus on quality
services to our communities. This Quality of Care report highlights some of the services
we deliver and what you have said about those services. The report showcases activities
grouped under each of our values of: We Care, We Work Together, We Innovate, We
achieve, We Learn.
The way we deliver services is based on continuous feedback from patients, clients and
community. We partner with our clients to provide services that work for them. We seek
and appreciate this feedback so we can meet the needs of the communities we serve.
We are proud of the quality of the services we provide and I trust you will enjoy some of
these stories. As always, your feedback is appreciated so if you have any comments
about this report, we would love to hear from you.
Leonard Peady
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Incontinence affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men in
Australia, a total of 4.8 million Australians of all ages.
The Bladder Health Program has been developed
from the state-wide HACC Continence Report in
conjunction with the Queensland government.
The bladder health program is a community education program designed to assist people
to manage urinary incontinence and constipation focusing on preventing and managing
bladder and bowel control. Topics include incontinence, daily fibre and fluid
requirements, its impact on lifestyle, how medication can affect the bladder and bowel
and pelvic floor management.
The program will be held in Benalla, Myrtleford, Bright, Mansfield and Wangaratta in
2016, including an Italian translated and presented program in partnership with North
East Multicultural Aged Care Connection.
Community members can self refer or be referred by their GP.
We Care
The Bladder Health Program
Marjorie attended all 3 sessions of the
Bladder Health Program. Marjorie‟s
comments:
"I thought it would be a waste of time
coming to the program, but I am very
pleased I attended as I only wear a pad
when going on an outing, I drink a lot more
fluid than before and I can hold on until I
get to the toilet. My pelvic floor exercises
must be working as I can hold on and not
leak”.
Marjorie told us that she would recom-
mend the program to others.
Italian group in Myrtleford July 2015
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Gateway Health celebrated WORLD DIABETES DAY 2014
The World Diabetes Day (WDD) 2014 campaign marks the first of a three-year (2014-16)
focus on healthy living and diabetes. This year's activities addressed the topic of
healthy eating and its importance both in the prevention of type 2 diabetes and the
effective management of diabetes to avoid complications. To celebrate WDD, Gateway Health invited members of the community to take part in
activities which raise awareness of Diabetes by: FREE Diabetes Risk Assessment Chatting to a Diabetes Educator, Dietitian and Podiatry Assistant Explaining how your GP can assess whether you have Diabetes Healthy Eating information. Being a part of the Human Blue Circle which is the global symbol for Diabetes. The latest estimates from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas
indicate that there are 382 million people living with diabetes worldwide. By 2035, 592
million people or one person in ten will have the disease. A further 316 million people
are currently at high risk of developing type 2 Diabetes, with the number expected to
increase to almost 500 million within a generation. What makes the pandemic particularly
menacing is that throughout much of the
world, it remains hidden. Up to half of all
people with diabetes globally remain
undiagnosed.
The key messages of the campaign include:
Make healthy food the easy choice Healthy eating: make the right choice Healthy eating begins with breakfast
We Care
World diabetes Day 2014
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The Gateway Health Community Christmas Tree of Remembrance activity provides
community members access to a simple public ritual during the Christmas season that
allows people to remember a loved one who has died.
Reception staff commented on people coming in and asking the whereabouts of the tree
and the process involved. Staff also reported
that people expressed their thanks for being
able to do this activity and how much it meant
for them to be able to include their loved one
in the spirit of Christmas even though their
loved one was not physically present. This
supports the Continued Bond theory which
suggests:
Continuing Bonds: New Understandings of
Grief (Death Education, Ageing and Health
Care): The text suggests that perhaps linear
models, ending in a detachment from the
person we‟ve lost, were denying a reality of
how many people grieve. They suggested a
new paradigm, rooted in the observation of
healthy grief that did not resolve by detaching
from the deceased, but rather in creating a
new relationship with the deceased.
Two trees were set up in Wangaratta and
Wodonga Gateway Health site foyer areas
during the month of December 2014. Ninety
Six message cards were placed on these
trees from staff and community members. Other partners, North East Health,
Wangaratta Library, Wodonga Library and Catholic Church Wodonga also reported that
their trees were well utilised by community members.
We Care
Christmas Tree of
Remembrance
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We Care
Gambler’s Help
1 in 4 people who used Gambler‟s Help Therapeutic Counselling at Gateway Health were family or friends of a gambler.
30% of people who used Gambler‟s Help at Gateway Health did so for gambling activities other than Electronic Gaming Machines (pokies).
3 in 4 women who used Gambler‟s Help at Gateway Health were aged over 45.
3 in 4 men were aged under 45.
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The Gender Identity Group (GIG) is a social group for young people where they can feel
safe to explore any transgender issues. The young people hang out and meet others
who have similar issues, struggles or ideas in an environment that is free of judgement.
The facilitators assist the young people to navigate the health system, particularly what
they can access at Gateway Health in relation to getting support and in particular with
transgender specific topics like accessing chest binders and transgender friendly
practitioners to assist with pathways. Some of the themes that have been raised in the
group are;
Social transitioning Medical transitioning Family issues- parents struggling with transitioning and where to access support School uniforms Names – being called by preferred names at home, at school and in community Guest speakers that could attend GIG and provide guidance, information about
personal experiences of transitioning or information on how to use chest binders Misgendering
An evaluation was completed after a couple of sessions and the feedback was that the
group was providing a huge amount of support to participants, with some comments
stating;
“I felt like I could speak freely!” “GIG is an awesome group and I think I speak for everyone when I say
we look forward to the group.” “I think it’s just a great way for us to feel supported in a time of real
hardship.”
The GIG group continues to meet on Thursday afternoons from 3:30pm. Anyone
interested in the group should contact headspace Albury Wodonga.
We Care
Gender Identity Group Transgender flag
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The Active Rural Communities Program (ARC) provides group programs to keep older people active and socially engaged with their communities. This year we have had some great success in engaging more remote communities and partnering with our own Allied Health Team as well as other organisations.
The King Valley Italian Social Group is one of our most successful initiatives. We engaged with this community by sourcing local “champions” from the Italian community who have taken responsibility for liaising with us and recruiting people to attend events. We have asked this community about their needs and we have responded by resourcing to meet those needs. We partnered with the North East Migrant Aged Care (NEMAC) Project who subsidised the cost of meals.
Events have ranged from 10 to 15 people in attendance and some events have included health education from Gateway health including falls prevention and continence management presented in an informal and relaxed community venue. Visits were also made to Beechworth, Albury and Myrtleford and the local Parish Priest has offered a midweek prayer service.
Some of the comments from participants have included:
“I met up with some people I have not seen for years as it is difficult for all of us to
get out now. It was just wonderful to catch up on all their news.”
“I struggle to get to Church as my family are always busy. Thank you for giving me
the chance to come.”
Initially we were concerned about providing an Italian speaking support worker but the group preferred to not have someone who spoke Italian. Support has been provided by our local champions who are Italian speaking.
Our ARC staff member commented: “It is such a chatty, laughing bus load. I think they prefer that I don’t speak Italian so they can gossip and share jokes. We all
have such a great time.”
We Care
Active Rural Communities
Lunch at the Whitty Café following the Prayer service at the local Catholic Church.
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The LAUNCH program provides a group program to people experiencing barriers through
mental health issues. The programs range from physical health activities like attending a
local gym, skill development programs for coping with stress and building confidence and
daily living skills.
The Cooking group is a very popular group attended by up to 10 participants each week.
It aims to give participants the opportunity to learn and practice a range of cooking skills
in a social and supportive atmosphere, followed by a shared lunch. Over the past 12
months the group has mastered soups, stir-fry‟s, frittatas, casseroles, pasta dishes and a
good old fashioned roast.
In term one this year, the group decided to change things a little bit and took their
cooking to the great outdoors. The group did all the food preparation in the Kitchen at
Gateway Health, then took their food out to cook at various locations in nearby towns.
The group enjoyed getting outdoors, having picnics and cooking in a different
environment.
Due the weather, the group returned to the Kitchen in term 2 and cooked up a storm.
Participants have brought with them a willingness to try new things, recipes to share with
others, and even their singing voices! One participant commented that she looks forward
to having a laugh and sharing food with friends each week.
At Gateway Health we are lucky to have such wonderful facilities like our commercial
kitchen which provides an experience that participants would have if they were working in
hospitality or studying cookery. We ensure that people are aware of the requirements of
food handling and hygiene skills as good practice as well as preparation for their
„LAUNCH‟ into their community.
We Care
LAUNCH - Life, Activity, Understanding, Networking,
Connection, Health
LAUNCH Cooking Group
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From a Mother:
I am a mother of a big marijuana smoker (addict), with a slight drinking problem. I got a
referral to Gateway to seek help for him. I did try other services but had no success.
Gateway was the only service I found that did help me. I do feel Gateway did save my
son.
My son got himself into trouble with the courts due to drugs. He tried ice for the first time.
This also caused him to lose his job. I do feel if I didn‟t find Gateway my son would be
worse off and homeless.
I was given a support worker. She was my saviour. I feel she saved my son and myself.
The worker took over as I was under so much stress and about to have a breakdown.
She took so much pressure off me by sorting his doctors, medications, and bills. My son
was also put through detoxification.
Without the help and progress of Gateway my son would of never been entitled to get his
job back. The worker is the one who helped to do this. I‟m so grateful for this, and to her.
I know I still have a long road ahead with my son, but I could not of got this far without the
help and support from Gateway.
We Care
Alcohol and other drugs (AOD)
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Victims Assistance Program (VAP) is dedicated to
supporting victims of violent crime to manage the
impacts of the crime, to navigate the criminal
justice system and to work towards recovery. VAP
is a free service and outreaches across the Hume
Region. Any person who has been affected by a
violent crime in Victoria, for both reported and non-reported crimes, is eligible to receive VAP support.
VAP staff recently visited Police Stations
throughout the Hume Region to provide updated
information about the program and the support
VAP provides to Victims of Crime.
VAP staff were warmly welcomed by the Police
We Work Together
Victims Assistance Program
and enjoyed catching up in person with those whom they had spoken with on numerous
occasions over the phone. The visits also provided Police with the opportunity to ask
questions about the program and further their understanding of referral into the program,
support provided and other eligibility requirements.
Building on other initiatives currently in place, including VAP co-location at the
Shepparton and Benalla police stations, the visits to the Police Stations are part of the
ongoing recognition of the importance of the relationship between Police and VAP.
Research has shown that victims of crime supported by VAP have improved outcomes
for both short and long term.
The Hume region also provided many beautiful vistas and lunch stops for staff throughout
their visits.
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We Work Together
The Partners In Recovery (PIR) Team at Gateway Health have been busy initiating
systemic change within the mental health system for people with a diagnosis of
Borderline Personality disorder (BPD) in the Hume region. Maryanne Donnellan and
Joel Nagle are Support Facilitators in the PIR program and provide service coordination
for those experiencing severe and persistent mental illness through the Early
Intervention and Recovery Team. Since the launch of PIR 18 months ago the rate of
referrals for people with a BPD diagnosis has rapidly increased. Anecdotal evidence
locally shows that this is because access to other mental health services is extremely
challenging with this diagnosis. People diagnosed with BPD have some of the highest
levels of unmet need in Australian mental health services. Conservative estimates
suggest a 2% population prevalence rate of BPD; equating to over 440,000 Australians
(McMahon & Lawn, 2011, p.6). Joel and Maryanne recognised this area of need and
that the change necessary was at a systems level and through the PIR program they
could make a difference. The project will commence in Sept 2016 with the help of a
successful funding submission to employ an academic researcher.
The Questioning the Service response to those with BPD in the Hume project
outline;
Quantitative overview of referral numbers of participants with BPD into PIR and analysis of this against available statistics relating to BPD and mental health services in Hume.
Documenting the service system response, including: Mental health-related services provided by agencies in the Hume region Service models for BPD in the Hume region, including what is funded versus what is provided Enablers and barriers to service access for participants experiencing BPD Why service responses are inconsistent for participants experiencing BPD Best practice and service implementation standards against best practice and service implementation for participants experiencing BPD in the Hume Region.
Alongside the project as a monitoring tool is a stakeholder reference group that will be held in partnership with St Luke‟s in Albury who also have a PIR project to support training for best practice for working with people with a diagnosis of BPD. Members with be from both clinical and community mental health service providers. We look forward to sharing some of the outcomes of the project in the next Quality Of Care Report! The PIR team here at Gateway Health continue to demonstrate the importance of working collaboratively to support systems change for consumers, carers and service providers.
Questioning the service response to those with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in the Hume Region
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We Work Together
Gateway Health Active Staff
Gateway Health participated in the Brave Hearts Dragon Boat Regatta.
It was a fabulous day and to our surprise we made the finals! Even though there was a slight hiccup and we nearly made the Border Mail for a collision with another boat, it was a fantastic effort by all!
Most importantly it was a wonderful opportunity to recognise and honour those who have died and to support those currently living with cancer and their families.
5 staff members represented Gateway Health at the La Trobe Mini Soccer Tournament. There were 4 other teams who participated in the activity including Wodonga Council, Optus Mobile, La Trobe University and Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre. This event was hosted by La Trobe University (supported by Murray United F.C) and coincided with Premiers Active April.
A team of Gateway Health staff, children and partners named Gateway Health Strikers competed in the Soccer Smack Down at the YMCA to raise funds to send local soccer teams to the Special Olympics in Adelaide. It was a huge turnout with over 18 teams competing in the event. Considering the teams novice experience they did well resulting in a draw and one loss, Sam Coonan even managed a Rinaldo type save at the goals.
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We Work Together
Gateway Health Active Staff
Congratulations to all 37 of the Gateway Health team members for participating in the
Hume Bank City2City Run/Walk. Also extra congratulations must go to Masange Runezerwa for placing overall 3rd in the
10km run with a cracking time of 33:24 mi (3:20min/km). Masange, a Gateway Health
Volunteer, is on the youth reference group for headspace and volunteers to help new
African arrivals to join the Culture Club and has had significant involvement in assisting
with establishing the Multicultural Health clinic at Gateway Health Wodonga.
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We Work Together
Community Food For All
The Community Food for All initiative came about due to community organisations noting that there was some duplication of services in the Rural City of Wangaratta and an increase in the demand for food related initiatives across health, welfare and community services, education, government, neighbourhood houses, local producers and the general community.
Concurrently, a Food Security Scan and mapping exercise was coordinated through Gateway Health in partnership with Northeast Health Wangaratta as part of the collaborative work between the health promotion teams on healthy eating. The work was guided by the Victorian Government Healthy Food Connect framework. The scan results built a picture of our “local food system” through determining local food security issues i.e. food availability, access, utilisation and stability. The scan also noted local food deserts where people lack access to affordable fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk, and other foods that make up the full range of a healthy diet.
The Rural City of Wangaratta facilitated a forum to bring groups together who play a role in the local food system. As a result a local food network, Community Food For All (CFFA), was formalised in April 2014.
The CFFA‟s vision is to strengthen community food security, through education, collaboration and communication. Its objective is to assist in the sharing of information and resources and to improve partnerships to strengthen and sustain our local food system. As a member, Gateway Health, along with Northeast Health Wangaratta, is working in partnership with local community groups and networks to develop strategies, activities and policy changes that ensure „healthy choices are the easy choices‟ in our local community.
The CFFA key achievements for the year were:
Community Cook Ups (provision of nutritious meals for Carevan)
Affordable Fruit and Vegetable Box scheme
Community Food Swaps
Community breakfasts
Community lunch
Refrigerated Vehicle for use by network members
Establishment of Wangaratta Farmers Market (WFM) Inc and grant application to Vic Government for WFM expansion submitted.
Successful major grant submission to RCOW to undertake Community Food Hub Feasibility Study.
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We Work Together
Building a Local Food Future A Forum to stimulate action on local
food system issues
Overview
Building a Local Food Future was held on the 1st May 2015 in Wodonga with the aim of exploring local action on affordability and availability of healthy food and sustainable local food production in our region. The forum was jointly funded by North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA) and Healthy Together Wodonga (HTW) with support from local health services Beechworth Health Service (BHS), Indigo North Health and Gateway Health. The forum concept came about via conversations at the Local Food Network North East and Riverina meetings, where it become apparent that local producers, those involved in Landcare, health and community care, food retail and emergency food relief organisations were all working towards the same goal – a thriving local food system. Guest speakers included the Federal Member for Indi Cathy McGowan AO MP, Julian Cribb (Science writer and author of „The Coming Famine‟), Professor Mark Lawrence (Professor of Public Health Nutrition Deakin University), and Dr Nick Rose (Churchill Fellow, Food Systems Coordinator, Food Alliance Deakin University). Traditionally the agriculture and health sectors have not worked closely in our region; however this forum was a prime example of how working in partnership can produce such fantastic results. Some of the key outcomes of the forum were; The Federal Member for Indi Cathy McGowan AO MP calling the community to
action and spruiking issues surrounding local food production including a speech on our Local Food Networks and the „Building a Local Food Future‟ forum in the House of Representatives in the first week of June. See Cathy McGowan House Of Rep's 'Building a Local Food Future'
Albury Wodonga Regional Food Share‟s presentation at the forum kicked off their recent public campaign to raise awareness of their work and the implications of their limited funding which is currently set to cease in December 2015.
The forum‟s „grow your own ideas workshop‟ resulted in action on our local food system with the development of a number of much needed projects. Working groups have been established to investigate a regional food hub, a co-operative approach for the purchase and availability of mobile food processing equipment and, a more collaborative approach to development of food policy across neighbouring local government areas.
The forum provided a platform to collect data via a survey inquiring about food access issues in our community. This data has since been distributed through networks and has captured a large representation of the population including workplaces, schools and clients of health services. This data will feed into an existing food security scan in Wodonga and will assist in the development of a similar scan in Indigo Shire.
From L-R Anna Mackinlay, Brydie Foran, Neil
McCarthy, Cathy McGowan MP AO, Amber
Croft
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We Work Together
Communities Latching on to
Breastfeeding (CLBF)
The „Communities Latching on to Breastfeeding (CLBF)‟ social marketing campaign is designed to promote breastfeeding through strengthened community supports. The main aim of the CLBF campaign is to create an environment that respects mothers‟ choices in both breast and bottle feeding, supportive of breastfeeding practices, and assists in prolonging the duration of breastfeeding. We endeavour to raise awareness of the needs of mothers and babies so partners and their wider community can take action to support them.
A user friendly Pregnancy Journey Map was developed to provide local service information for women planning on giving birth in Wangaratta. These services include the Community Midwife Program (CMP) and the Antenatal Clinic/ Shared Care options. Additional information is provided about what to expect when receiving medical and supportive care during pregnancy and Health Living options.
North East Health Wangaratta and Gateway Health have developed a Pregnancy Journey Map and an interactive version can be accessed on the Hume Health website: www.humehealth.com.au/having-a-baby/pregnancy-journey-map/
The breastfeeding journey map aims to show the true experiences of breastfeeding. All mothers will have different journeys. Changes will happen to the mother and the baby at differing times. This map will help with what they can expect along the way.
To complement the Pregnancy Map
we have also developed a Breast-
feeding journey map, the interactive
version can be accessed on the
Hume Health website:
www.humehealth.com.au/having-a-baby/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-journey-map/
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We Work Together
Community Link
“Friendly Visitor Program”
The Friendly Visitor Program in Bright would not exist without the caring team of volunteers who visit clients in their home. These volunteers are quiet achievers who are often not seen in the community but give so much of their time. There are currently 3 active volunteers involved with this service and another 3 waiting to be matched with HACC clients. The program comprises of volunteers being matched with HACC clients who are socially isolated. Volunteers provide companionship within the home setting or in the community encouraging independence and self esteem and aims to increase the social networks of these people. The visits are for one-two hours each week on a set day. The small team of volunteers are very dedicated to their role and some have been with the program for over 8 years. One example of the service operating in the community is seen in the photo below where volunteer Marg Lease meets the client Mary Duic in the local gym and their time is spent together improving the client‟s health with a low impact gym session.
It is a well documented fact that exercise improves people‟s health and well being. Marg‟s time volunteering with the Friendly Visitor program not only benefits those she has direct contact with but it has also helped other family members. With Mary‟s improved health and confidence, Mary‟s mother, Maria has seen positive benefits for herself also. Maria comments that “I‟ve got a life now. I am even confident in leaving Mary at home while I‟m at bowls, for instance; yesterday, she even raked up the leaves out on the street. Not bad for someone who needs her mother‟s assistance with showering, toileting and dressing”. Before attending the gym, Mary suffered severe pain and stiffness but was reluctant to do helpful stretching exercises. Both Marg and Maria now say she has little trouble motivating herself to stretch out the stiffness.
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We Work Together
Community Transport
Gateway Health is involved in a Community Transport partnership with Alpine Health and lead agency Community Accessiblity Inc. The partnership was formed to respond to an identified need in the community concerning residents who are transport disadvantaged due to their economic, geographic or disability status. The Ovens Valley Specialist Medical Transport Service (OVSMTS) was officially launched in May 2012. Since this time there has been over 1000 medical transport trips provided to residents in the Ovens Valley. OVSMTS provides volunteer transport to specialist medical appointments which are located outside of the Alpine Shire. There are 30 volunteer drivers across the 2 sites; Bright and Myrtleford delivering the service in two Hyundai I30 vehicles. The volunteer coordinator works collaboratively with Community Accessibility Inc and Alpine Health staff to deliver a safe and reliable service to clients who are transport disadvantaged and HACC eligible.
Why is this service so important?
The need for this service has been a long standing concern for the communities of the Oven's Valley, for many reasons. The lack of specialist medical services within the valley, the distance required to travel to reach those services, the lack of public transport services to the relevant destinations and at suitable times, the cost involved in using local taxi services, the longevity of local residents which often increases the need for specialist medical services and their desire to remain within their homes and their communities
Financial security for the continued operation for this service is achieved through a combination of community support, fundraising, sponsorship and from the donations we receive for providing the service.
Testimonials:
“Amazing service, I would be lost without it as I do not have my own transport.” - GM
“Extremely important for the Community. Driver interaction very good.” - Stephen
“A very positive experience. Service & drivers fantastic.” - Roy A
“Very good service.” - Bruno R
“Very happy with the service.” - Joan & John M
“Fantastic. Very happy with drivers.” - June F
“Excellent. I wouldn‟t know what, I would have done without the service.” - Lynn D
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We Work Together
Culture Club
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We Work Together
Volunteers
GH Volunteers play key role in conducting research In Wangaratta the Gateway Health and Northeast Health Wangaratta health promotion team undertook a Local People, Local Food Solutions research project. We wanted to understand how to improve healthy eating for low income families with children who live in the Rural City of Wangaratta. To do this we found out what challenges our community face in getting themselves and their family to eat well. We recruited 8 volunteers as co-researchers to undertake the collection of information needed. These volunteers signed on as Community Research Volunteers and attended three training workshops. They then organised and facilitated kitchen table chats with people in our community experiencing life on low incomes. Between them these volunteers were involved in 17 kitchen table chats and gave 48 people the chance to have their say. The Gateway Health volunteers involved were Jaki Burman, Heather Neilsen, Ben Cane, Anne Townsing. Annette Monshing, Emma McManus , Sakina Babia, Zoe Zwager. As a result of the work of these Community Research Volunteers, we now have lots of real and useful information about the challenges, solutions and local actions that our community could undertake to support healthy eating. An event to share the initial findings with the community was held in King George Gardens on 12 December 2014. Gateway Health CEO, Leonard Peady came along to present the eight volunteers with achievement certificates in recognition of their fantastic dedication as co-researchers in this local research project. They are local community champions for healthy eating in the Rural City of Wangaratta.
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We Innovate
headspace Albury Wodonga
headspace Albury Wodonga was excited to hold its Official Launch Event on 13 April 2015.
The official opening of headspace Albury Wodonga was a great celebration of the community led campaign to have a headspace in our region. The Centre was formally opened by the Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley. Also in attendance was headspace CEO Chris Tanti and over 200 community members and local organisations.
Following the official proceedings was an all ages event with performances and activities that included a BBQ, Zumba, Giant Jenga, live music, art corner, photo booth and face painting. Integral to the success of this Event was the contribution of the Launch Event committee, comprising of several local young people. The Committee developed and organised the entire day, from what activities would run to gathering local businesses support. The committee also opened the Centre with the Hon. Sussan Ley by cutting the cake and ribbon. (as pictured below)
Since the Launch headspace Albury Wodonga has continued to succeed, providing hundreds of hours of service for young people across a range of domains including mental health, general health, training education and employment and alcohol and drug support.
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We Innovate
Equine Assisted Therapy
Indigenous Community Links has been working with the Mental Health team to provide Equine
Assisted Therapy for the Day to Day Living program.
Equine Assisted Therapy is an experiential program that runs with a Mental Health Worker, an
Equine Specialist and a group of horses to help participants to address their issues and move
forward in their lives. The modality that Gateway Health use is the EAGALA model and is all
ground based activities, no horse riding involved.
Gateway Health has provided the Equine Assisted Therapy to the Day 2 Day young people and
Day 2 Day adult groups with fantastic outcomes.
Within the Young Peoples group there was some great outcomes with one client saying at the
end of the program “I have been able to let go of some stuff that I have been carrying for a long
time”. Another participant was able to leave his home and socialise with other people after
completing the Equine Assisted Therapy Program, this was an activity that he had previously
struggled to achieve.
The older group of participants have had some real break throughs as well with one participant
stating “Without this program, I would have ended up in hospital as my depression was so bad”
This client has now found work and is looking forward to the future for himself and his children.
Gateway Health will be offering the Equine Assisted Therapy Program to at-risk Indigenous young people in 3
rd term 2015. This is an exciting opportunity which the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander community within Albury Wodonga are excited to embrace.
26
We Innovate
Ophelia - Optimising Health
Literacy to Improve Health and Equity Project Gateway Health was one of the eight (8) participating Optimising Health Literacy to Improve Health and Equity (Ophelia) research sites in a recent study, funded by the Australian Research Council and the Victorian Department of Health. The research study was coordinated by Deakin University in partnership with the eight (8) research pilot sites across Victoria. The Ophelia project used health literacy as a mechanism for developing health interventions to improve outcomes for clients of 8 Victorian healthcare organisations. The Ophelia project developed a Health Literacy Response Framework comprising resources, interventions and strategies that healthcare organisations can use to respond to the health literacy needs of their communities. Gateway Health as one of the participating Ophelia pilot sites designed and tested interventions for inclusion in the Framework. The interventions were based on the health literacy needs of the local community of Wangaratta City and Alpine Shire Local Government Areas, and designed using the knowledge and experience of practitioners and other staff at Gateway Health. The Ophelia Approach is a system that supports the identification of community health literacy needs, and the development and testing of potential solutions. At Gateway Health the Ophelia project consisted of three phases; phase one was a needs assessment whereby Health literacy and demographic data was collected from 97 Gateway clients between September and December 2013. The Health literacy data revealed that many clients lacked sufficient health information and support. Many also reported difficulties navigating the health care system, finding reliable sources of information and interpreting that health information. Phase two was co creation of interventions implementation. In early 2014, Gateway staff proposed a health literacy intervention program whereby community volunteers are trained to act as health mentors for their local rural community members. Phase three was implementation, evaluation and ongoing improvement. A total of 13 volunteers were trained in delivery of health messages including the My Questions for Good Health form and the Better Health Channel website. Volunteers then delivered health messages in a number of different settings including a tai-chi group, a community exercise group, during home visits, with family and friends, or when working in the local opportunity-shop. The evaluation was very favourable and found there was a difference in effect size between the pre and post health literacy surveys showing that the intervention had a measurable impact. The interviews discovered rich data and lessons learnt.
27
We Innovate The new Allied Health Assistant (AHA) Care
Coordinator The AHA care coordinator position was designed to support the Allied Health team in working with clients presenting with complex health and social needs. The need for care planning and coordination for new clients referred for multidisciplinary assessment was identified by the allied health team. To service these clients, a support plan is completed prior to allied health intervention – creating an opportunity for the clients to direct their care and develop goals from the commencement of their service. The AHA care coordination project was funded by the Workforce Innovation Grant Program 2013-14. Under the leadership of the Health Workforce Reform Implementation Taskforce, the Department of Health established the WIGP to explore, identify and trial innovations that improve the utility, productivity and sustainability of the workforce while improving access and quality of services and consumer and worker satisfaction. The model of care coordination trialled in this project aligns with the Victorian Government‟s aim to shift the focus from acute care health services to community-based, interagency, and interdisciplinary team delivery models of care. Utilising a shared support plan, the AHA in collaboration with the client develops a client centred goal directed care plan. Shared support plans are developed face to face with the clients in their own homes. This process takes approximately 1 – 1.5 hours and uses computer tablet technology enabling the client to edit the document as it is created. A time frame to review the goals is established as is the identification of care team members and client supports. Once developed, the shared support plan is distributed with client consent to the care team supporting the client, inclusive of family, carers, allied health, GP and service providers. Allied health team members meet with the AHA so the care plan and client goals can be shared and discussed. Within this care team meeting, allied health staff develop strategies so client goals are the focus of their therapy. A formal review of the goals within the plan is completed by the AHA by phone or within the client‟s home focusing on the goals and outcomes achieved.
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We Innovate
PILOT PROJECT
Lawyer at Wodonga site
Gateway Health and Hume Riverina Community Legal Service (auspiced by Upper Murray Family Care) have developed a pilot project with collaboration between the legal and health sectors. Gateway Health Wodonga hosts a qualified lawyer on-site in the clinic for 4 hours per fortnight. The lawyer, Beth Kennedy and Gateway Health developed the pilot project which is currently known as the HALO project; Holistic Assistance and Legal Outreach.
The project is based on proven alliances in Australia and overseas.
The HALO project mirrors a model of Medical-Legal Partnership out of Boston, US, beginning in the 1990‟s. The Australian adaptation of this model is the Advocacy-Health Alliance which delivers legal services within a healthcare setting to improve access to justice for vulnerable individuals. By reducing barriers to accessible legal services for people experiencing health issues, holistic support is more accessible and stigma around legal issues is reduced. Research suggests that legal needs should be considered one of the social determinants of individuals‟ health and wellbeing, as the health of individuals can suffer when they face legal problems. We think that there is a need for such a model locally and the HALO project aims to meet part of that need.
Legal services provided are at the sole discretion of the Hume Riverina Community Legal Service, and include:
(i) Individual legal advice sessions. (ii) Referral of clients to other legal services. (iii) Ongoing casework. If it is not possible to assist a client due to a conflict of interest, the Hume Riverina Community Legal Service provide referral information about alternative legal services that can be passed onto the client.
The project also offers Community Legal Education - Education to Gateway Health staff and the wider community on a range of identified legal topics.
29
We Innovate PILOT PROJECT:
Improving Shared Care Coordination Gateway Health in Wangaratta participated in a trail of a new e-care planning package that facilitates shared support planning for clients with multiple and complex needs. The package is called HumeSharedCare and aims to deliver a whole of system approach to shared support planning.
Other participating agencies are Upper Murray Health & Community Services, Tallangatta Health Service and Benalla Health.
Three Gateway Health staff worked with six local clients to trial the e-shared support plans.
At the end of the trial, the project will be evaluated to see if both staff and clients found the process useful in improving shared support for clients with multiple and complex needs. If successful, we expect to be able to make the e-shared support planning platform available to a wider range of agencies.
KEY FEATURES of the e-shared support planning tool include:
A cloud-based e-shared support planning application (based on SCTT 2012) No requirement for any software to be loaded onto agency servers Accessible from anywhere there is an internet connection, making the product
portable – i.e. accessible in clients‟ homes Real time access to shared support plans by the care team members A client portal for clients (and if they so wish, their families) to access and interact
with their shared support plan on line Capacity to generate a paper version of the shared support plan Capacity to upload a PDF version of the care plan onto a client‟s electronic file A secure environment that allows communication between care team members Capacity to track progress against goals and tasks, and send reminders to
participants about review dates and/or required actions. Capacity to upload documents such as assessments, exercise plans, contact lists
etc. Capacity to embed links to on-line resources
The project is being managed by Upper Hume Primary Care Partnership with a Project Coordinator managing all aspects of the trial:
Product development Training Resource development Organisational support.
HumeSharedCare WEBSITE:
A website housing a range of resources that support use of the HumeSharedCare shared support planning system is being developed. The HumeSharedCare website home page can be found at www.humesharedcare.org.au
For more information, please contact:
Annalee Gardam - Manager Allied Health [email protected]
Jay McGough Project Coordinator UHPCP [email protected]
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We Achieve
New Building - Wangaratta site
45-47 Mackay Street
Our new purpose built community health centre in Mackay Street Wangaratta was
formally opened by the Minister for Health the Hon Sussan Ley on 20 February 2015.
The building is on the site of a former bus depot and utilised a significant amount of the
building structure and materials already on site. We retained the Nissen Hut structure
and the bus shed steel frame and concrete flooring. We recycled building materials from
the site. We incorporated the mechanics pit into the building atrium, and collect rain
water from the roof. We attempted to use as much of the existing building infrastructure
as possible to reduce our environmental footprint.
The new facility is purpose built to create a primary health care hub for the Wangaratta
and surrounding communities. The new space has enabled us to expand existing
services to enable improved access.
The facility has created an inviting community space and a better and healthier work
environment for staff.
The staff area is a contemporary design to encourage an active workspace. The design
creates the need for staff to move more. Features include:
- A central photocopy hub creates the need to walk to photocopier area. - Communal kitchen area to bring people from different programs together. - Introduction of tablets and laptops to allow a fluid office space. - For conversations or meetings, private room hubs have been introduced. - Standing benches for reading.
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New Building - Wangaratta site
Officially opened on the 20th February 2015 by the Hon Sussan Ley, MP Federal Minister for health
32
We Achieve
New Building - Wangaratta site
Wall art
Possum-skin cloaks
This Artwork is a representation of the traditional Possum-skin cloaks that is a form of clothing worn by Aboriginal people in Victoria and Southern New South Wales. The cloaks were made from numerous Possum pelts sewn together with kangaroo sinew, and often decorated with significant incisions on the inside such as clan insignias. They were rubbed with ochre and fat to both decorate and protect them. As well as being a significant means of keeping warm in this often chilly part of Australia, much importance was placed around the making of the cloaks and their wearing. They were handed down through generations as heirlooms. As with most Australian Aboriginal belongings, there were many uses for the one item – the cloaks were also used as blankets, mattresses and to wrap babies. The Artwork was designed and produced by Wathaurong Glass and Arts - a Geelong based business that is community owned and operated by Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd. “Possum-skin cloaks” was purchased and generously donated to Gateway Health by
past employee, Neroli Raff.
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We Achieve
New Building - Wangaratta site
Sculpture
A message with double meaning - 1st. To live in
HARMONY with more RACES together 2nd. TO KEEP OUR GLOBE HEALTHY
Artist, Arnold Voll, was born in Romania, then moved to Germany with his family when he was 12 years of age. He immigrated to Australia 57 years ago. Arnold worked as a Baker in his own business in Melbourne, Victoria. He then moved to Mansfield where he discovered his passion for carving wood, then eventually settled in Wangaratta. Arnold, a self-taught Artist, spotted this piece of solid Red
gum on a family property at Merrijig. He examined the
natural design of the branches which gave him the
inspiration to create a double statue. Excited about this
amazing piece of Red gum, he loaded it onto his trailer and
carted it home and started to create his vision.
Precision chainsaw labour, chiselling, an incredible amount
of sanding and lacquer were invested into creating this
stunning sculpture. Arnold said “It is impossible to mention
how many times it has been sanded.”
Originally the male and female figures were nude. However,
Arnold thought that some people may be offended by this
so decided to clothe them.
The sculpture was completed over a 10 year period. The largest challenge of creating the
sculpture was ensuring that the arm span between the male and female and the Earth, were in
perfect proportion. Arnold himself is amazed at how he managed to accomplish this seemingly
impossible task from one piece of wood.
Arnold, now a retired Artist donated this incredible piece of artwork to Gateway Health. His work
has won many awards and has encapsulated so many happy moments for him, that he wanted to
share this particular sculpture with his local Community.
34
We Achieve
Gateway Health
Multicultural Clinic
Gateway Health Multicultural Clinic has been in operation since late 2013. At that time, Albury-Wodonga was seeing an increase in the number of refugees being settled in the area and demand was rising for a medical service with expertise in refugee health. The clinic was developed to provide expertise in refugee, migrant and Aboriginal health.
The Clinic is the main referral centre for newly arrived refugees who have a complex and intensive initial assessment over several weeks covering pathology screening in accordance with the current guidelines, mental health and chronic disease management. The Clinic has developed several programs to enhance the quality of life and community engagement for refugees including the Culture Club, a monthly social gathering where refugees come together to cook food, learn about health and to meet other support agencies. Refugees at Gateway Health Multicultural Clinic have access to free massage therapy provided by massage students from the local TAFE,
participate in the Jamie Oliver Ministry of Food program, Personal Helpers and Mentors Program, Chronic Disease Allied Health Services, specialised chronic pain management and infectious disease specialist care via SKYPE consultations with hospitals in Melbourne. The Clinic has developed a Refugee Chronic Pain Network engaging a team of Allied Health Providers who provide holistic chronic pain management, resulting in many refugees coming off chronic pain medication and living a more fully engaged life.
In early 2015 Gateway health was the proud recipient of the Rural General Practice Award from the Rural Workforce Agency of Victoria as part of the Victoria Rural Health Awards. This was awarded for the development of the Gateway Health Multicultural Clinic and the contribution that it makes to the community.
Middle: Dr. Catherine Orr. Right: Nicole McDonald, previous Practice Manager.
35
We Achieve
Accreditation
In February 2015 Gateway Health (GH) participated in our initial assessment under the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Enhanced Standards. The enhanced assessment includes all DHHS standards as well as sections 1 and 3 of the Quality Improvement Council standards. The outcome of this assessment is to gain accreditation to provide services funded by the DHHS. All standards assessed were MET. The diversity of services for clients was acknowledged, with client interview feedback confirming their high level of satisfaction with GH. Carers also confirmed their satisfaction with the Community Inclusion program. Demonstrating a passion for excellence in client-focussed care, staff support each person‟s journey and client determined goals and needs. The Assessment Team identified the following strengths for the organisation: Staff are passionately client-focussed, and work to evidence based information GH is in relative terms a young organisation, and has built upon the strengths of its
former organisations GH has embraced services that have been unfunded (external source) and facilitated
the inclusion of the Congolese, Bhutanese and local Indigenous populations The Aboriginal Liaison Officer has been appointed and can be accessed to support
staff in delivering culturally respectful and sensitive services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
The refurbishment and inclusion of „Headspace‟ in the Wodonga complex facilitates
ease of access to services The newly built, well located building at Wangaratta showcases GH and provides an
opportunity to further expand and develop its service profile.
Gateway Health is also compliant with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (WGEA) WGEA is committed to supporting organisations to maximise the full potential of female and male talent.
36
We Achieve
Community Inclusion
Michelle Lemin travels from Baddaginnie to attend Friday social sessions at Wangaratta
with Gateway Health‟s Community Inclusion Team. Michelle started attending the ladies
night out sessions last year and has picked up an active Friday outing during the day.
Michelle has also registered as a reception volunteer for Gateway Health. Reception
staff are delighted with Michelle‟s help and how quickly she is able to complete tasks.
Michelle is increasing her skills in customer service and reception duties.
37
We Achieve
Gateway Health enters
the digital arena
In 2010, several community health agencies across the Hume region , in conjunction
with the Hume Rural Health Alliance, began their quest for a new appropriate client
information management system (CIMS) to replace the ageing system that had been in
use.
The Victorian Health Smart Strategy provided a platform in 2013, for four community
health services, (Gateway Community Health, Ovens and King Community Health
Service, Primary Care Connect and Nexus Primary Health Service), to take a leap, and
begin a region wide implementation project of InterSystems‟ TrakCare Community
Edition client information management system, which included an electronic health
record.
The 12-month project began in September 2013, and saw the new software launch at
Ovens and King Community Health Service (now Gateway Health Wangaratta and
Myrtleford sites) on 29th April 2014, and on 2nd September 2014 at Gateway Health
Wodonga, with Nexus Primary Health and Primary Care Connect launching in May and
July of 2014 respectively.
Over 250 Gateway Health Staff have undertaken initial and refresher training over the
past 12 months, to assist with the use of this complex, comprehensive client information
management system.
One year on, Gateway Health has registered over 10,200 clients in the new system, and
TrakCare is now providing a CIMS that provides many different functions and features to
help streamline and improve collaborative service delivery across the agency.
The new system is used across all three of Gateway Health‟s sites, and offers key
functions such as electronic appointments, an electronic health record, data reporting,
and a quality audit trail for our funding bodies. Accessible only via a secure network,
TrakCare has improved the level of security of client information, and provides clinicians
with the ability to access their client‟s file securely, when providing outreach services.
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We Achieve Positive Parenting Telephone Service
The Positive Parenting Telephone Service (PPTS) is a parent education program funded by the Department of Health and Human Services for families with children between the ages of two and ten years who are experiencing difficulties in parenting, have children with behavioural problems or simply as a preventative measure. PPTS offers a self-directed version of the Positive Parenting Program and is available to families living in the Goulburn Ovens Murray Region of Victoria. This is a unique program which delivers the service via the telephone over a 10 week period, thus providing parents with the convenience of working from home whilst having the support of trained Parent Educators. The self-directed version allows parents to play an active role in a structured parenting skills program which aims to promote the parents competence and confidence and teach skills known to enhance the development, health, safety and emotional wellbeing of children. PPTS allows parents to access the program from remote and isolated areas of the region that otherwise may not be able to engage with a parenting program. Below is a graph indicating the distribution of referrals received across shires in the region for the 2014/15 financial year.
What our clients thought:
“I very much enjoyed the helpful and friendly support each week. It was great to be able to discuss my personal circumstances and „check in‟ each week and talk about other strategies. Because of my young family this worked very well for me – I wouldn‟t have been able to do it otherwise and things have improved so much.”
“The things I found most useful were: the phone calls – having regular calls in my home were great, the book and the goals and homework kept me on track, the individual goals and discussions about my situation was particularly helpful. I couldn‟t have had this in a group.”
“I found doing the program over the phone fantastic – I am a single dad and work away a lot – it was flexible for me. I found the discussions about my own individual issue really important as I have triplets! I enjoyed the common sense ideas and discussions and getting positive feedback each week. Thank you very much – very worthwhile.”
39
We Learn
Student Placements Gateway Health (GH) continues to be a placement
provider of choice for both education providers and
students alike, with demand for placements with GH
far exceeding our capacity. As a community health
service, we are able to offer a diverse placement
experience across all sites which students recognise
and value.
Some comments from Student Evaluations: What was the most enjoyable aspect
of your placement?
The most enjoyable aspect for this placement was the wide variety of opportunities I was able to obtain throughout such a short period of time.
The groups! Such amazing things happen in the Day to Day living program! It‟s a beautiful thing to see the power a group has on an individual.
Going out in the community for example, doing ACAT assessment, visiting clients and being able to make them smile, working with the refugee nurse, attending conferences. Overall l did enjoy working with all the teams that l was allocated to, they were all different and they were all enjoyable to work with.
I enjoyed all of my placement, working as part of a very experienced team and meeting lovely clients and their families.
Students: L-R Meg O‟Connor,
Zac Saunders, Amy Speers-
2014 / 2015 Student Placements Summary
Discipline Team Number of Students Number of Days
Occupational Therapy Allied Health 1 25
Mental Health 4 142
Speech Pathology Allied Health 4 81
Physiotherapy Allied Health 1 20
Allied Health Assistance Allied Health 1 15
Social Work Mental Health 3 208
Nursing (enrolled and Nursing 6 50
Nursing and Mental Health 3 45
Midwifery
Maternal and Child Health - Family Relationships & Youth 1 10
Total 24 596
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We Learn
Healthy Together Wodonga
Despite the withdrawal of ongoing funding from both the Federal and State Government of the Healthy Together Victoria initiative, Gateway Health and the City of Wodonga recognise the important work that has been achieved through a partnership approach to prevention to improve the health and wellbeing of the Wodonga community. Therefore both organisations have committed to supporting Healthy Together Wodonga until 2017. Gateway Health has committed our whole Integrated Health Promotion (IHP) (Wodonga) workforce to continuing working using a system - based approach and the City of Wodonga utilising existing HTV funds to support a Healthy Together Coordinator at Council, joint funding with Gateway Health for a health promotion coordinator to sit at Gateway Health and providing Communication and Marketing support. As Leonard Peady explained "The important thing for us is that we each value and appreciate what the other organisation brings to the table. We both have strengths we can draw on and we both have a common focus on improving our local community". Due to the success of this model the IHP workforce in Wangaratta at Gateway Health has realigned their work which has allowed for a sharing of resources and provision of support across both sites. The Healthy Together interventions specifically targets the underlying causes of chronic disease, including smoking, poor nutrition, alcohol misuse and physical inactivity; and involves working with local communities, schools and workplaces. One of the key components of the Healthy Together model is the Achievement Program aimed at businesses, early learning centres and schools. The Achievement Program is still being supported by the Victorian Government and is based on the World Health Organisation health promoting schools and healthy workplace model. It encourages organisations to create healthier environments. To date there are 24 businesses signed up in Wodonga with 7 reaching Recognition Point 1, 95% of Early Learning Centres and 40% of schools. In the food system space there is work being done with catering companies to provide healthy catering menu options, the creation of a working group to investigate a food policy for the region, and support for community groups and organisations in promoting the healthy food option.
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42
We Learn
Abstract:
Tomnay J,1 Coelli, L2 & Hocking, J3.
1. The University of Melbourne, Department of Rural Health, Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health.
2. Gateway Health, Wodonga. 3. The University of Melbourne. School of Population and Global Health.
Introduction Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed bacterial STI in Australia and is asymptomatic in approximately 80% of people. If untreated, potential consequences include pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Those experiencing recurrent infections are more likely to experience these unwanted complications, and as such consideration must be given to those who are very young when first infected.
Methods In 2014 we undertook a retrospective audit at a rural sexual health service to determine what proportion of patients attending the clinic were aged 12-16 years, tested for and infected with chlamydia and their reasons for attending the clinic.
Results There were 595 consultations for patients aged 12-16 years during the study period, with a total of 111 individual patients attending the clinic, 104 (95%) were female. 194 chlamydia tests were conducted with the proportion of individual patients having at least one test per year being 100% in 2011, 81% in 2012, 72% in 2013 and 78% in 2014. There was no difference in the proportion tested by age over the study period (p=0.59). 46 tests were positive for chlamydia (23.7%; 95%CI: 17.8%, 30.9%) with the proportion decreasing with increasing age from 46.7% (95%CI: 16.4%, 79.5%) in those aged 12 or 13 years to 15.5% (95%CI: 9.4%, 24.2%) in those age 16 years (p=0.02).
The reasons for attending the clinic when a chlamydia test was ordered included i) pregnancy testing, request for emergency contraception and/or termination of pregnancy (18.3%, 34/185), ii) symptoms of anything( 16.7%, 31/185), iii) a request for STI screening or treatment (32.4%, 60/185) and presenting for contraception (32.4%, 60/185). Only 29.7% (33/111) of these patients would have tested for chlamydia if symptoms or requesting a screen were the only reasons a test was ordered.
Conclusion Consideration should be given to amending the current chlamydia screening recommendation to annual screening of any sexually active person under 29 years.
Conflict of interest: None declared.
CHLAMYDIA TESTING OF 12–16 YEAR
OLDS IN A RURAL SEXUAL HEALTH CLINIC:
What influences this group to seek clinical
services?
43
We Learn
People Matter Survey
Gateway Health has once again participated in the Victorian Public Sector Commission
People Matter Survey in 2015. The People Matter Survey undertakes to seek the
opinions of employees about the performance of their organisation in terms of
organisational culture, values and well-being. Organisational results can be
benchmarked with other like organisations and can be used to review progress of quality
improvement initiatives that are implemented from year to year. Gateway Health has
reviewed its 2015 results and is currently consulting with employees and managers to
develop an improvement plan for key identified feedback areas from the survey.
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Message from the
Board Chair Catherine Upcher
2014-2015 represents the first full financial year of the new entity Gateway Health Limited, the successful merger of two quality community health service organisations in Gateway Community Health and Ovens & King Community Health Service.
Gateway Health is the culmination of some three years of planning and hard work on the part of the Board and staff of both organisations. The staff, in particular, should be congratulated for keeping faith with the intent of the merger over such a long period.
Gateway Health is now a robust and highly functioning community health organisation providing medical, allied health and a rich range of community health programs to members of the communities of North East Victoria and Southern NSW. The Board is exceedingly proud of Gateway Health‟s achievements over the last year.
One of the most exciting achievements was the completion of the new Gateway Heath facility in Wangaratta in November of 2014. The project was completed on time and within budget and provides a modern, light filled and welcoming centre for Wangaratta and district residents in need of medical and related health services.
During the year the Board members applied themselves diligently to their governance responsibilities, attending Board meetings and participating regularly on Audit and Compliance, Quality of Care and Strategy and Planning Board committees. The Board would like to acknowledge the high standard of reporting and accountability by the CEO and Senior Managers to these committees. Good information has significantly aided the Board in its deliberations and due diligence.
During the first part of the year Gateway Health attracted and appointed three new Directors with variously legal, educational, business, consulting and community engagement skills. A big welcome to Chris Halburd, Felicity Williams and Lisbeth Long. On the other hand the Board was sorry to lose the expertise of Director, Chris Horton – a long time and effective contributor to Gateway Health in its current and previous iteration. We wish Chris all the best in his new venture!
During the year the Board and executive staff attended a facilitated Strategic Planning workshop. This was a day well spent in reviewing the status quo and giving serious consideration to a desired and possible future. The Board gave due recognition to the ever changing nature of the health policy environment and the need for the organisation to be agile and nimble in meeting and succeeding against the challenges ahead.
All Directors are currently completing the Board Capability Assessment through the Australian Centre for Healthcare Governance. The results of the assessment are likely to identify knowledge and skill gaps which will be addressed through targeted Board training and development.
2014-2015 saw the implementation of the new organisational structure which included the recruitment of two new and highly skilled General Managers. Some further operational changes took place to ensure the organisation‟s efficiency and effectiveness.
45
Message from the
Board Chair Catherine Upcher
Congratulations to staff for meeting accreditation under Department
of Health & Human Services standards which ensures ongoing
registration as a disability service provider and community service
organisation. The Board is very well aware that the work entailed in
meeting accreditation standards is lengthy and often onerous, so
thankyou to all involved.
I would like to thank my co-Directors for their time and commitment to the good governance of Gateway
Health. Directors are fully engaged, curious and challenging and their time over the last year has been much
appreciated.
Finally I am sure the Board would like me to thank Leonard Peady, the CEO, for his strong leadership, his
thoughtful and inclusive management style, and for his ability to keep an eye both inside and outside the
organisation in order to make the most of opportunities as they arise. The good reputation of the
organisation is intact, due in no small measure, to his hard work and to his demonstrably upholding the
values of the organisation.
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Annual Report
Our vision “People living well”
Our mission Gateway Health provides primary health care and support to all in our community and focuses on providing services to those with the highest risk of poor health.
Goals and strategies
1. Gateway Health makes a real difference to our community’s health and wellbeing
a) We will lead innovative and effective prevention and early intervention responses that promote wellness in our community
b) We will partner with other providers to improve the availability and integration of services in the region
c) We will work with clients to identify treatment pathways to suit their experiences, wants and needs
2. Gateway Health targets areas of greatest need
a) We will be a centre of choice in our areas of expertise
b) We will work together with rural communities and diverse groups
c) We will actively participate in regionally based health planning
3. Gateway Health is recognised for its high quality services
a) We will establish Gateway Health Service Standards that apply across all our sites and ser-vices and we will measure our services against them (F)
b) We will use our Quality Improvement Program to drive innovation and excellence in what we do (F)
c) We will increase the number and diversity of clinical placements to help build a rural workforce
d) We will plan and evaluate our services with the community
4. Gateway Health operates sustainably and grows
a) We will grow and diversify our services and funding sources
b) We engage, value and support our staff, volunteers and consumers to extend the services we deliver
c) We will improve our visibility with marketing and branding (F)
d) We will develop a Gateway Health Financial Framework that will underpin our decisions (F)
e) We will ensure our Information and Communications Technology Strategy delivers fit for
purpose client management, human resource and asset management systems (F)
(F) indicates foundation strategies that will consolidate the Gateway Health merger
Gateway Health Strategic
Plan 2014-17
Our values
We care We achieve
We work together We learn
We Innovate
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