A new healthcare offering for First Nations peoples living in West Moreton aims to care for the whole person, and not just their symptoms.
Murrumba Targan Djimbulung, which translates to “Good healing my people”, cares for First Nations adults with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, and ongoing heart and lung issues.
It helps people navigate the healthcare system, including referrals to GPs and West Moreton Health services, such as mental health support.
Clinical Nurse Consultant Emily Lis said it was a First Nations-led service for First Nations people.
“We want to make sure our First Nations consumers feel comfortable with their care. We do that by connecting with a person’s family and community and building a network of support. First Nations consumers can contact the service directly, or ask their GP for a referral.
“Our service is by First Nations people for First Nations people; we know our culture and can relate to our consumers and help them learn to self-manage their condition.”
Ms Lis said putting a person’s social and emotional wellbeing at the forefront of their care was a complete change of approach to traditional health management.
“We want to treat the person, not the symptoms.”
Murrumba Targan Djimbulung builds on the foundations of the Deadly Steps Together program, a gym and home visiting service that includes yarns with an exercise physiologist and Indigenous health workers.
“It is the link to all West Moreton Health services and teams, as well as community partners and primary healthcare providers,” Ms Lis said.
“The network of support within the community means more care closer to home and reduces the need to visit an emergency department.”
The team of 13 includes clinical staff, allied health professionals, including social workers and occupational therapists, and First Nations social and wellbeing officers.
The service is delivered in the community setting, through a combination of outreach and community clinics.
“By creating this team, we are trying to improve health outcomes for First Nations people, who experience chronic disease at higher-than-average rates than non-Indigenous people,” Ms Lis said.
“This is a service that truly understands and responds to the needs of those it will serve.”
Murrumba Targan Djimbulung operates from 7.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
It is open to adults who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander who are at risk of, or are living with, a chronic condition.
To contact the service, email WM_DSTP@health.qld.gov.au or phone 0447 239 734.
Breakout story: About the name
The name of West Moreton Health’s new holistic First Nations service – Murrumba Targan Djimbulung (pronounced Mood-oom-bah Tah-gan Jimba-lung) – has been endorsed by the region’s three Traditional Owner groups: the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul peoples.
A word from each language was chosen, giving consumers a tangible link to Country and highlighting the cultural and spiritual methods of care and healing delivered by the team.
West Moreton Health Chief Executive Hannah Bloch thanked the Traditional Owners for the gift of the name and everyone who took part in the naming consultation.
“Having support from each owner group shows support for our team and our efforts to work with the community on this extraordinary service,” she said.