Aboriginal health in Southern NSW

In collaboration with other health service staff, our Aboriginal health workers provide primary and preventative health education and health promotion programs to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and patients. 

This includes support with:

• in-patient visits
• follow-ups for Aunty Jeans Program
• 48-hour follow-up
• otitis media screening
• the Healthy Ears - Better Hearing, Better Listening (HEBHBL) audiology service
• home visits 
• outreach services.

The program provides follow-up services within 2 working days of discharge from hospital.

It covers issues such as medications (knowledge of and access to), referrals (booked and arranged transport), and general wellbeing. 

This is a community program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples over 50 years old with chronic and complex needs. 

The program includes:

• health assessments and promotion
• information and education
• exercise sessions
• healthy eating 
• fun activities. 

The sessions are informal, and participants have an opportunity to help shape the program's activities.  

Aunty Jean's program is supported by several health service providers to help participants reach their goals. Our team includes:

• Aboriginal health workers
• diabetes educators
• physiotherapists
• dieticians
• occupational therapists
• respiratory services staff.

Key contact:

Aboriginal Health Worker Contacts

Goulburn: 0477 386 083
Batemans Bay: 0436 626 419
Moruya: 0436 626 419
Eden:  0407 121 164

This service reduces barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait children and provides access to timely and appropriate Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) surgical procedures across NSW.

Otitis media is the medical term for all forms of inflammation and infection of the middle ear. It is also referred to as ‘middle ear infection’, ‘ear disease ‘or ‘glue ear’.

It can be caused by a bacterial, viral or combined infection and it is the most common cause of hearing loss in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experience earlier, more frequent and more severe otitis media than other kids in Australia.

How will this service help?

Otitis media is easily diagnosed through a simple screening process. Referrals to other appropriate services are offered by our health workers once the screening is completed.

All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children under the age of 12 years can access this screening service in school or at local community health services.

Aboriginal health staff will attend schools and preschools to perform otitis media screening and/or education. The screening usually includes an otoscopy, tympanometry and audiogram. 

For further information and bookings contact the Chronic Care Coordinator at the Aboriginal Health Unit at (02) 5943 2393.

This service is for Aboriginal women and women with Aboriginal children. It is delivered by an Aboriginal health worker and midwife, who work together to deliver care before and after you have a baby. 

With the overall aim to improve the health outcomes of both mother and children, the service offers culturally appropriate, flexible, and community-based services during pregnancy and after birth. 

The AMIHS team empower women through education, building skills, and sharing knowledge to help you have a healthy pregnancy and a strong baby. 

The service will vary between communities, but include:

• home visits
• hospital bookings
• antenatal and post-natal checks
• information about what to expect in pregnancy and child birth
• help with organising GP and specialist care and links to other support services.

Key contacts:

• Eurobodalla AMIHS
  Monday to Wednesday, between 9am to 5pm
  Phone: (02) 4475 1545
  Address: 10 River Street, Moruya, NSW 2536
   
• Queanbeyan AMIHS
  Monday to Wednesday, between 9am to 5pm
  Phone: (02) 6150 7000
  Address: Corner of Collett and Erin Streets, Queanbeyan, NSW 2620

The BSF service provides free culturally safe, early childhood health services for Aboriginal children from birth through to school age and their families in Griffith, Narrandera and Lake Cargelligo.

The services are provided by a child and family health nurse and an Aboriginal health worker, working to support the health, growth and development of Aboriginal children.

The BSF service aims to support your family to provide a nurturing environment, so that children develop optimal physical, social, emotional and cultural wellbeing and are ready for school.

Parents/carers can self-refer to the BSF. Referrals can also come from other services and agencies, with consent from parent/carer. Examples of agencies or services include, the Aboriginal Maternal Infant Health Service, maternity services, childcare centres, GPs, child and family health nurses, Aboriginal medical services.

How will this service help?

BSF services can be provided at home, in the local community wherever families and children feel safe and comfortable, and at the local health centre.

The services include:

• immunisation
• referral to other services
• early identification of families' needs
• child developmental checks, as per the Blue Book 
• health promotion, health education, support for parents and carers, and community development.

For more information and to access the BSF service call (02) 4475 1545 from Monday to Friday, between 9am to 5pm. 

Our Aboriginal Health team can offer support and advocacy for you and your family when you come to hospital for surgery. 

To access this support contact the Central Intake service team. You can also leave your details at any service desk in the hospital, or request a hospital staff member contact us on your behalf.

Read SNSWLHD Aboriginal Health support and advocacy when you come to hospital for surgery (PDF 1.29MB)