DHF Annual Report 2009 - NT Health Digital Library - Northern ...

Community HealthThe Community Health branch delivers diverse services across the Territory from theregional hubs of Darwin, Nhulunbuy, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.Across the continuum of care, services focus on at risk and managed care clients and earlychild and family needs. Service provision spans from birth to aged and palliative care afterhours support. In addition, hearing services are provided to urban and remote Aboriginalclients. Well women’s screening, while an urban based service, also caters for the remoteAboriginal population.The branch participates in regional and national primary health care reforms and aimsto improve access and equity of services for urban communities. Working with key localstakeholders and groups is a key element of this. The branch also manages the prisonerhealth contract and a range of services via contract arrangements with non governmentCare After Hours GP service in Palmerston and operations for the planned Palmerston GPSuper Clinic.Community Health manages the Territory’s participation in the National Health Call CentreNetwork (NHCCN) which provides telephone access to personalised, professional, healthassessment advice and referral options. The service is available 24 hours a day, sevendays a week via a 1800 (free call) number. In 2009-10 the Territory handled 13 492 calls.In 2009-10 the Community Resource Team who facilitate discharge planning, transferredto the Royal Darwin Hospital with the aim of providing seamless care for clients. Also, theurban nutritionists, previously based in the Health Development Branch, transferred into theCommunity Health Branch. This move further facilitates the centralisation of urban servicesin centres and aligns work force to client needs.Accreditation was achieved for Community Health Services for three years in 2010.School Health Services (SHS)The aim of the SHS is to ensure school aged youth engage in their health and wellbeing soas to make informed choices that promote optimal future health and life outcomes.Key AchievementsUrban school-based immunisation programs were delivered in Middle Schools forHuman Papilloma Virus (HPV), Varicella, Boostrix and Pneumovax.Working with school canteens and breakfast clubs to include healthy options on schoolcanteen menus.School health expos were undertaken in 11 schools.Child and Family Health Nursing Services (CFH)The aim of the service is to work in partnership with and support families to nurture thehealth and wellbeing of their children.134Department Health and Families