May 8, 2014
The Cherbourg Health Service has been highlighted as one of the State’s leaders in community engagement.
The management team from the hospital was invited to showcase their community involvement at a recent Health seminar in Brisbane.
It was an opportunity for the rural facility to explain how the involvement of their community and its leaders improve their health service and delivery.
Since the establishment of the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Board, local engagement has changed to take in both the hospital and community.
One way the facility aims to meet the needs of its community is through meeting with the health service community-based Health Action Group each month.
Aunty Jackie Barrett has been involved in the group since its inception in the mid-1990s.
She and other elders at the time recognised a need to involve residents in the provision of health services.
“At that time, a lot of doctors who came to Cherbourg, only stayed for a one year or less and then they would go,” Jackie said.
“We saw that there was a need for continuity of care over the long-term.
“I felt that my people deserved a doctor who was able to provide on-going care.”
Through identifying that need, doctors who are now employed at the Cherbourg Hospital sign a contract for two or more years.
The Health Action Group focuses its efforts on developing and implementing a Ten Point Plan, which is updated every two years.
The plan features goals and projects, and is described as a “living document”.
“The Ten Point Plan is not just for the health service to implement,” health service facility manager Tarita Fisher said.
“It involves different partnerships and departments such as the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council, the police and education, just to name a few.”
Ms Fisher and three other staff members from Cherbourg attended the Innovative Approaches to Community Engagement Seminar.
“I felt very proud that our community was highlighted at the state-wide seminar held in Brisbane,” Jackie said.
“I feel that myself and the elders in the community are achieving a lot of things.”
