The Public Health work unit provides support to AHCWA’s Member Services in areas of continuous quality improvement and clinical best practice, as well as managing the secretariat functions of the Clinical Leadership Group.
Public Health
The AHCWA Clinical Leadership Group is a network of clinical leaders within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS), who learn from each other to implement evidence-based best practice and comprehensive primary health care for their communities. Through the Clinical Leadership Group, AHCWA supports Member Services to lead Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) in health care and safeguard the high standards of care within the community-controlled sector.
- Membership is open to Clinical Leaders from each AHCWA Member Service
- Clinical Leaders must be nominated and endorsed by their CEO
- Clinical Leaders may include Clinical Directors, Medical Practitioners, Practice Managers, Practice Nurses or Aboriginal Health Workers/ Practitioners
- CEOs and Chairpersons are also welcome to attend the Clinical Leadership Group
- Face-to-face meetings are held twice a year.
AHCWA's Public Health Unit
AHCWA’s Public Health work unit promotes sustainable, comprehensive primary health care models in ACCHSs and utilises funding models efficiently to maximise benefits to local communities. It spreads successful CQI strategies across ACCHS and uses data to improve health outcomes in communities. The Public Health work unit uses audit, evaluation and performance management to ensure high-quality care, and clinical governance models that ensure the safest and highest quality health care is provided to local communities. Data analysis is used to prepare for challenges and opportunities facing ACCHS, and the work unit shares clinical protocols and best practice evidence relevant to our members.
The Public Health team can provide advice and assistance to AHCWA Member Services on a number of public health matters, including but not limited to:
- Continuous Quality Improvement;
- Eldercare Support Program;
- Digital health, including Telehealth, My Health Record;
- Patient Information Recall Systems (PIRS);
- Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB);
- Environmental Health;
- Chronic Disease;
- Child and Maternal Health:
- Palliative Care;
- Eye Health;
- Sexual Health;
- Cancer;
- Immunisation;
- Clinical support.
The Public Health work unit is responsible for developing and maintaining Member Support resources available through the Member Portal. These resources include CQI frameworks and tools, health promotion materials and policy templates.
Stroke Prevention Resources
AHCWA’s Health and Wellbeing team launched our new community-led stroke prevention campaign at the Member Services Forum, highlighting the importance of FAST awareness:
Face – Check their face. Has their mouth dropped?
Arms – Can they lift both arms?
Speech – Are they having a hard time talking? Do they understand you?
Time – Is critical. If you see any of these signs, call for help straight away
This presentation offered insight into how localised education and culturally informed strategies can improve recognition and response times across Aboriginal communities in WA. Prevention is most effective when it is community-led, culturally relevant, and backed by strong policy and advocacy.
Stroke Survivor Videos
AHCWA FAST Glenn 18 Face ONLINE OC
AHCWA FAST Glenn 18 Speech ONLINE OC
AHCWA FAST Glenn 18 Numbness ONLINE OC
Animations
Face
Arm
Speech
Time
National Stroke Week Social Tiles
To find out more, please contact liam.guy@ahcwa.org
Newsletter: Subscribe to AHCWA’s Public Health Newsletter to Stay up to Date
Additional Work
AHCWA’s Public Health work unit also facilitates a Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Program, a Tackling Indigenous Smoking Program, Immunisation Training for Aboriginal Health Workers and Aboriginal Health Practitioners, and a Social and Emotional Wellbeing Pilot Program.