The Menzies School of Health Research is conducting workshops for health workers to improve outcomes for Indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders in the north west.
The B.strong Brief Intervention Training Program, which according to North West Hospital and Health Service Indigenous Workforce Coordinator, Lila Pigliafiori, will give health workers the skills to promote health changes for their clients.
“We know there are significant differences in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living in Queensland, and Menzies researchers believe we only need to change three key lifestyle factors: smoking, nutrition and physical activity, to effect a positive difference,” Ms Pigliafiori said.
“The aim of the workshop is to skill up our health workers to promote healthy changes to their clients.” Aboriginal Health Workers and practitioners, personal care workers, Indigenous Liaison Officers, Health Promotion Officers, Social and Emotional Wellbeing officers, nurses, GPs, administration staff, podiatrists, exercise physiologists and Health Service Managers are all invited to attend.
Ms Pigliafiori said the workshop, in Mount Isa on 11 September, Normanton on 12 September and Mornington Island on 13 September, was also open to staff working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in non-health settings such as schools and correctional facilities, with training available to all staff in government and non-government health and community sectors.
“This holistic approach is exactly what we need, across services and specialities, in order to have a concerted approach to health and well-being among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island population,” Ms Pigliafiori said.
