Inala Indigenous Health Service - About Us
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The Inala Indigenous Health Service aims to promote, maintain and improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by offering culturally appropriate health care. |
HistoryIn mid 1995, Wakka Wakka and Kalkadoon man Dr Noel Hayman and nurse Nola White, descendant of the Ghungalu clan, were asked by Queensland Health to set up an Indigenous health clinic as part of the Inala Community Health Centre. In June 2013, after 18 years located in the Inala Community Health Centre, we moved to the purpose-built Centre of Excellence, pictured above.
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ClinicOur clinic has a strong focus on preventative health, and our nurses and doctors complete about 1000 health checks each year. Since the child health check program began in 2006, our service has been responsible for about 10 percent of all of Indigenous child health checks done in urban Australia. We believe that to 'close the gap' in health between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, we need to look at preventing chronic illness developing, rather than just treating illness after it occurs.
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CommunityWe also work in the community, providing an outreach immunisation service, sexual health education, a book-reading program for pre-schoolers, nutrition classes, and a variety of chronic disease prevention programs.
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ResearchDr Hayman published his first research into the health of our patients in 1998, regarding infant nutrition. It became clear that 'closing the gap' in health requires knowledge as to what works and what doesn't, yet a lot of this evidence is lacking.The dramatic increase in our research projects and publications in medical journals led, in 2010, to the appointment of a Research Director and the formation of Australia's first Community Jury for research. |
Centre of ExcellenceAfter years in the planning and 15 months in the building, we moved into our new Centre of Excellence in June 2013. The new clinic allows expansion of every aspect of our service, including the clinic, teaching and research. It also becomes an important teaching centre for students and the next generation of doctors, nurses, dentists and allied health professionals.
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Although care is taken, this site, and links from it to third-party sites, may possibly contain the names or images of people who have passed away, which may sadden and distress some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Website editor: Justin Coleman |
