The largest public healthcare provider to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) delivers quality health care to the Torres Strait Islands, Northern Peninsula Area and Cape York.
Key outcomes from TCHHS during Round 1 included all women having their mid trimester cervical length measurement (with consent) and results actioned appropriately, and decreased rates of early term birth reported on Thursday Island.
TCHHS Director of Midwifery, Michelle O’Connor, said it was a credit to the Thursday Island maternity team that their outstanding work, delivered in a culturally safe way, had earned such widespread recognition through the national program.
“We have seen a steady decrease in the numbers of early term birth on Thursday Island, with an average reduction of 28 percent since January 2023. This is an absolutely fantastic achievement,” she said.
As the TCHHS team were preparing for Round 2, more encouraging trends would become apparent.
“Analysis of random chart reviews revealed that all women had their mid-trimester cervical length measurement, via the appropriate method, which showed us that the achievements implemented in round 1 were continuing.”
Clinical Midwife Weipa MGP/ Team Leader, Hailee Ryan, said key focuses for the team as part of Round 2 included early screening, smoking cessation, and a emphasis on improving the involvement of Aboriginal and/or Torres strait islander health workers/clinicians.
“When we began Round 2, our first step was to establish a multidisciplinary team with strong First Nations representation,” she said.
“We were fortunate that Sandra, a Health Worker from Weipa MGP, enthusiastically joined the project and has since been an essential member of our team, participating in both learning sessions.”
“The implementation of iSISTAQUIT, a wrap-around support for pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who want to quit smoking/vaping, has been particularly encouraging as too has the rollout of TCHHS’ preterm preeclampsia screening program.”
As a team, TCHHS have analysed the data and information collected to identify key areas for improvement within the population they serve.
This insight has empowered the service to move forward by discussing and proposing targeted solutions, particularly focusing on smoking cessation and early screening.
“We are now preparing to engage with our consumers to consult and ensure that our proposed plans are appropriate and beneficial for the community,” Hailee said.
“TCHHS is also proud that we are currently working towards forming a cultural reference group that will be able assist with project works providing vital consumer and stakeholder representation as well having currently recruiting to have a consumer as part of the Maternity and Neonatal governance committee.”
TCHHS staff involved in delivering Round 2 of the EWC collaborative are:
Jacob Walsh – Executive Sponsor
Michelle O’Connor – Director of Midwifery
Hailee Ryan – Clinical Midwife Weipa MGP/ Team Leader
Meggan O’Connor – Midwife Thursday Islander
Sandra Soki – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Weipa MGP
Chloe Greenfield – GP Obstetrician
John Hall – Director of Medical Services
Alex Jarvis – Business Analysist
