More than 140 general practice nurses and staff have been provided with free cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training across North Queensland by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN).

The sessions took place in Mackay (21 participants), Cairns (26), Townsville (44), Charters Towers (25) and Atherton (25), conducted by Australia Wide First Aid, and the trainer was Cheryll Koop.

Reception staff Carol Johnson and Donna Young at Cairns Central Medical Centre took part in the training and were impressed.

“Every year we have to do a refresher course. We did e-learning the day before and then took part in practical training for two hours the next day,” Ms Johnson said.

She said the trainer ran through the course and then participants took part in revival exercises on a dummy.

“It was quite good, and I got more out of it than last year,” Ms Johnson said.

“It was very good, to the point, and delivered very well,” Ms Young said.

“Every time we do CPR we retain more information than previously.”

Ms Johnson said the course “gave them more confidence”.

The two receptionists, who each have 18 years’ experience in healthcare and have worked at Cairns Central Medical Centre for more than four years each, said they fully recommended the course to other general practise staff.

NQPHN Chief executive Officer Robin Whyte said NQPHN decided to fund and organise the training after it was found that CPR education and training of non-clinical staff was not being met in general practice.

“It is also noted that general practices are required to have completed basic life support training to maintain their accreditation,” Ms Whyte said.

“As a result, NQPHN have invested in the provision of CPR training across the NQ region to support general practice in maintaining their high standard of care.

“By providing hands on training NQPHN have assisted General Practice to also meet RACGP standards for continuous improvement and risk management by ensuring their staff are appropriately trained.

Ms Whyte said the training had to be conducted face to face. Training completed solely online did not meet the requirements.

She said participants were also required to demonstrate their skills at the end of the course.

Ms Whyte said the training was delivered to staff who might be required to provide CPR in a range of situations, including community and workplace settings.

“We are delighted that so many took part in the free training, particularly the 50 people in rural sessions.

“As we all know CPR saves lives and those who can perform CPR before a nurse, doctor or paramedics arrive can play a critical part in the patient’s future.  

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) is pleased to announce that Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) is the successful tenderer to provide cultural safety training and other supports to mainstream primary health care providers across Northern Queensland.

IAHA has been awarded the Integrated Team Care (ITC) – Improving Cultural Competency of Mainstream Primary Care tender and will start development and implementation of the cultural safety activities in coming weeks.

IAHA will deliver cultural safety activities to mainstream primary health care services in Mackay, Townsville, Cairns and Hinterland, and Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) regions.

NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Robin Whyte said NQPHN was committed to supporting improved health outcomes for First Nation peoples and communities.

She said the health needs of First Nations people was diverse and was more than just about an individual’s physical health.

“Evidence shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to access health services in environments that are physically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally safe, and where service providers communicate respectfully, build good relationships, have an awareness of the underlying social issues and understanding of culture, and where First Nations people are part of the health care team,” Ms Whyte said.

Improving cultural safety of mainstream primary care providers is one component of the Integrated Team Care (ITC) program, which is funded by the Australian Government under the Indigenous Australians’ Health Programme.

The ITC program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live with complex chronic conditions to manage their conditions and to access and coordinate the health care they need.

“One of the aims of the ITC program is to provide Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people with an increased level of access to culturally appropriate mainstream primary health care services, including but not limited to general practice, allied health, and specialists,” said Ms Whyte.

“Another of the program’s aims is to foster collaboration and support between the mainstream and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sectors.

“By achieving these two aims, First Nations residents in North Queensland will be better able to access the right care when they need it so they can better manage their chronic health condition and improve their health.

“We look forward to collaborating with IAHA to work towards achieving our vision of helping northern Queenslanders live happier, healthier, longer lives.”

IAHA Chief Executive Officer, Donna Murray, spoke of the importance of cultural safety in improving education, training, employment, and wellbeing outcomes.

“Improving cultural safety is a key focus of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021–2031 and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan 2021–2031, acknowledging both the impact it has on access to and quality of care, and also the success and empowerment of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander decision making and in growing the health workforce”

“IAHA are pleased to bring our expertise in cultural responsiveness, an action-based approach to cultural safety based on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing, to work with communities in northern Queensland and NQPHN to improve outcomes.”