Leading the way for First Nations staff and patients

Not only in Queensland, but right across the country, there is a gap between the health outcomes of First Nations people and non-Indigenous people.

Addressing the barriers and delivering culturally appropriate care is key to closing this gap and improving the health and wellbeing of First Nations Queenslanders.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners play an essential role in connecting First Nation communities to public healthcare.

They work with communities, families, and individuals of all ages in every part of the state.

Thirty Queensland First Nations staff are doing just that, as part of a pilot program for nurses and midwives which is delivering for some a renewed focus and a motivation that they are enjoying.

The Tjurtu (pronounced Jur-Too) First Nations Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Program, is a specialised leadership initiative aimed at empowering First Nations nurses and midwives across Queensland.

One of those midwives is Melissa Thompson who is a proud Gooreng Gooreng midwife working at Waijungbah Jarjums, the First Nations Maternal and Child Health Service at Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service.

Having worked as an acupuncturist before transitioning to midwifery, Melissa has always felt a strong desire to work more closely with Indigenous families.

“It’s been great to build connections with other First Nations leaders,” Melissa said.

“There are lots of challenges we face when advocating for our families that others don’t understand. That’s why our models of care sometimes need to be slightly different.

“Not so many generations ago, when Mob presented to the hospital, they didn’t receive culturally appropriate care which created distrust across the healthcare system.

Our model is co-designed and co-led by First Nations communities - this is super important in restoring and building trust.

“Mob don’t want to be telling their story to multiple different people. Our mostly Indigenous workforce understand these cultural differences and can relate better with our patients.

“When families visit our service, they tell us that they don’t feel judged and that we understand the circumstances in their lives. We provide them a safe space and someone they can trust.”

Melissa said the course had given her a renewed and reinvigorated focus on the work she does with First Nations people in her hometown.

“To be honest, this leadership program has reignited the fire in my belly,” she said.

“Tjurtu is equipping me with new tools to effectively advocate for First Nations families within a system that was not originally designed to serve our people.

“Over time, we’ve expanded our model of care from just midwifery group practice to a multi-disciplinary team, meeting the demands from our community and families who engage with our service.”

Luke Duffill from Logan is a Clinical Nurse Consultant Nurse Manager and works in the prison system as part of West Moreton Hospital and Health Service in the Ipswich area.

The 32-year-old Wirdjuri man has dedicated many years to supporting First Nations people who need healthcare in an environment that can be challenging.

“I’ve been working for West Moreton for over five years, and initially it was the hospital environment that I really enjoyed,” Luke said. “Then when I started doing nursing I realised just how many vulnerable people were out there.”

Working in the prison system is rewarding for Luke, who has found comfort in delivering health care to people who usually would be hesitant.

“I talk to First Nations mob down there because a lot won’t approach a nurse, especially in front of corrective services officers,” Luke added. “But when you take them away from other people, away from the officers, they tend to talk more to you, especially in the cultural centre where it’s safe.”

Luke said the Tjurtu program has enabled him to focus on his role as a First Nations worker and as a person.

“It’s a good way to strengthen my skills as a nursing leader and to build connections with my culture, plus of course improving myself as a leader so that I can advocate for patients.

I’ve found the course to be awesome and I’d encourage other First Nations peoples to consider a career in healthcare because we need more people.

“If you want to make a difference to mob, this is a great way to do it,” Luke said. “Around three per cent of Queensland Health staff are First Nations, and we need that number to keep growing, especially as nurses and midwives. It’s been so good to get us nurses together and build connections.”

Both Luke and Melissa are finding the Tjurtu program beneficial. With it running until the end of the year, they feel it’s helping to connect with their own people, which in turn helps them connect with their community.

Interested in a career as a First Nations nurse or midwife with Queensland Health? Find out more about the graduate program.