IMPACT Magazine Issue 10

This milestone tenth edition of IMPACT magazine, coincides with CheckUP’s 25th anniversary that took place in 2023.

For 25 years CheckUP has been dedicated to creating better health for people and communities who need it most. While our programs have diversified over the years, the work that is highlighted in this publication has one common thread that binds them all – the power of collaboration. The impact of our work stands as a testament to the collective efforts of our partners, members, and providers, who have all played a role in supporting health and well-being across Queensland.

In this edition you’ll find stories from across Queensland, from Cherbourg to Palm Island and all the way up to the Torres Strait! For us, IMPACT magazine is not just a publication; but a celebration of the people and communities who feature throughout these pages.

We hope you take time to read these stories and learn more about the wonderful work taking place.

You can read IMPACT below or download the PDF.

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Meet our team: Mary-Anne Quilter

Mary-Anne Quilter CheckUP’s Program Manager – Skin Cancer Early Detection, coordinates the Skin Cancer Early Detection (SCED) outreach service. Focusing on regional towns, the service aims to create fairer access to the professional assessment and treatment of skin cancer.

The SCED service not only facilitates skin cancer clinics across the state but is also facilitating 5 free upskilling workshops in 2024 for GPs living in rural, regional and remote Queensland. Covering essential skin cancer detection skills, workshops will be held in Mackay, Mount Isa, Rockhampton, Roma and Townsville. For more information or to register for a workshop please click here.

Below Mary-Anne shares a little about herself and the crucial role she plays in the CheckUP team.

Tell us a bit about what exciting projects you are currently working on?

I am currently working on a Skin Cancer Early Detection outreach service, which is being delivered in five Hospital and Health Services (HHS) regions across Queensland. The aim is to provide fairer access to the professional assessment and treatment of skin cancer for those living in rural and remote communities. In partnership with Queensland Health, we are also trying to improve awareness and knowledge of the five sun safe behaviours (slip, slop, slap, slide and seek) and confidence to conduct regular self or partner skin checks.

How long have you worked in the health sector? What were you doing prior to coming to CheckUP?

I have worked in the community services and health sectors for twenty years. This is actually my second time at CheckUP. Previously I managed delivery of the Tucka-Time program in six schools around the state, before moving into health workforce projects including development of the Choose Your Own Health Career website and the Health Gateway to Industry Schools program.

Prior to joining CheckUP, I worked for a mental health support and advocacy organisation, Mental Illness Fellowship Queensland (MIFQ). I have also worked for Anglicare Central Queensland, based in Biloela and the Bathurst Regional Council. In a previous life, I worked in HR for law firms, an investment bank and the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games.

What does a typical day look like for you?

This has varied largely since I started in this role. Initially, there was mapping of potential service locations, engagement with the HHSs and Primary Healthcare Networks (PHNs), and identifying potential service providers to deliver SCED clinics. During the contracting period, a lot of time was spent preparing costings and negotiating service schedules.

Now that we are halfway through the financial year, my focus now is more upon service monitoring and collating data from provider Outcome Reports as well as reporting in to our funding body and Steering and Advisory Committee meetings. Together with our engagement team, I am also organising a series of SCED upskilling workshops for GPs, which will be delivered in Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Mount Isa and Roma in the coming months.

What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most?

Engagement – with both external and internal stakeholders. I like the personal connections you make and ensuring that everyone is kept in the loop and given the opportunity to provide input into what I’m doing. I also enjoy travelling to meet with stakeholders and see programs in action.

What are 3 words you would use to describe CheckUP?

Dynamic, diverse and adaptive.

Are there any major changes in the health sector or work that CheckUP undertakes that you have noticed since you started working with CheckUP?

Definitely diversification into new areas, such as health workforce. As an organisation, I think CheckUP over the last five years has also proactively sought to strengthen partnerships with longstanding supporters and to form new connections with other organisations. There are increasingly more opportunities to work collaboratively with others on new projects and initiatives.

What activities do you enjoy when you’re not working?

Bushwalking, outback road trips with the family, cooking and reading.

This program is made possible through funding from the Queensland Government.

Collaboration enhances eye care in Cherbourg

Since 2010, CheckUP’s Indigenous Eye Health Program has supported state of the art ophthalmic services in communities through collaboration of services: St John Eye Van, Dr Rowan Porter, Dr Shelley Hopkins (Queensland University of Technology), Cherbourg Regional Aboriginal and Islander Community Health Service (CRAICCHS).

Funding provided by CheckUP, through the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care Outreach programs, supports visiting healthcare teams to work collaboratively to manage and treat eye health issues, and streamline the referral pathway for consumers in their community.

Pivotal to the success of the service is CRAICCHS’ local Allied Health Coordinator, Fabia Murray, whose dedication and hard work ensures consumers are not only aware of these visiting services, but are supported to attend. Fabia also assists in the coordination of the services at the local level. The close partnership between the local coordinator, visiting optometrist Dr Shelley Hopkins, and the St John Eye Van team ensures comprehensive eye health needs are met without extensive and intrusive travel to metropolitan areas. The visiting optometry clinic has expanded to include two optometrists and several Queensland University of Technology (QUT) optometry students who provide 18 clinic days per year. Demand for the service is continuing to grow.

Students have the opportunity to use eye testing equipment including Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) which provides cross-sectional scans of the retina, visual field testing, and retinal photography. More importantly, the service provides a diverse and culturally responsive approach to monitoring eye health in community, preventing vision loss, and establishing referral pathways.

In addition to optometry, specialised ophthalmic services are provided by Dr Porter and his team, who deliver their service in the mobile St John Eye Van (previously the Indigenous Diabetes Eyes and Screening (IDEAS) Van). Together, the team manage common eye diseases such as refractive change, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy, offering outpatient care to local patients within their community. Having this comprehensive care delivered locally reduces waitlists, helping to prevent avoidable blindness and vision impairment.

CheckUP is committed to continuing to support the evolving eye health needs of the community, fostering partnerships, and providing comprehensive on-site care for patients like Cyril Albury, pictured below.

Initiatives to target Queensland skin cancer rates

Queensland has the highest rate of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers in the world. 

Last week the Queensland Government announced new initiatives to target skin cancer rates in Queensland, including a three-month campaign titled ‘Sunshine: You do the 5. You survive’. The campaign urges Queenslanders to embrace the five sun-safe behaviours – slip, slop, slap, seek, slide – through a mock horror movie called Sunshine. 

In addition to the campaign, there is continued support for the Skin Cancer Early Detection (SCED) program coordinated by CheckUP. The Skin Cancer Early Detection Service has a focus on regional towns and aims to create fairer access to professional assessment and treatment of skin cancer for people who have a skin cancer risk. Following extensive mapping and consultation with key stakeholders the SCED outreach services have been funded for five priority Hospital and Health Service regions that include Central Queensland, North West, South West, Mackay and Townsville.  

CheckUP joins the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service on SCED Outreach visit

David Millichap, CheckUP’s General Manager – Engagement and Business Development, travelled to Eulo last week with the team from the Royal Flying Doctor Service to observe the new skin cancer clinic as part of CheckUP’s SCED program.

David spoke with several patients in Eulo who expressed sincere gratitude for the visiting clinic, which saved them a long trip to Toowoomba or Brisbane to have their skin checked by a specially trained GP.

This program is made possible through funding from the Queensland Government.

Supporting First Nations Gift Guide

Struggling for Christmas gift ideas? Support First Nations small businesses this festive season. The CheckUP team have put together this gift guide to help inspire you, from art prints to skateboards, there is something for everyone.

1. Miimi and Jiinda – Waarra Gumburr Art Print

Miimi and Jiinda make and custom frame their artwork on Gumbaynggirr Country in NSW.

2. Chaboo – Round Bowl “Family Yarns”

Chaboo is 100% Indigenous Australian owned and operated by Roy Fisher & Casey Coolwell. CHABOO was created for everyone, encouraging all people, of all walks of life, to appreciate Indigenous art, stories and culture.

3. Amber Days – Baby Totems and Bush Tucker Romper

Amber Days is an Aboriginal owned ethical children’s wear label that is inspired by the Australian bush, desert and sea. Amber Days is made for mindful, adventurous, free spirited little ones, who are the next generation of change makers.

4. Clothing the Gap – “Always Was, Always Will be” Tee

Clothing The Gap creates merchandise with messages that spark conversations. Making clothes that influence social change by uniting people (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) through fashion and a cause.

5. Bunya Designs – Country in Colour (Pink) Print on Paper

Painting both traditional and contemporary art using storytelling in every art piece, Leah Cummins wants to educate and teach everyone about their culture.

6. KYKOE – Dancing for Pippis Scrunchie

KYKOE is a 100% Aboriginal and Zenadth Kes business, sharing culture through accessories and contemporary art.

7. House of Darwin – JUNGLES JUNGLES X House of Darwin Tee

Existing to inspire, educate and cultivate change within the two worlds of Australia. House of Darwin is a social enterprise, reinvesting profits back into social programs in remote indigenous communities.

8. Haus of Dizzy – Always Was, Always Will Be Earrings

Haus of Dizzy creates bold, playful, statement-making jewellery that celebrates and honours Indigenous culture—imbuing a sense of empowerment and joy within everybody who wears it.

9. Sobah – Finger Lime Cerveza Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer

Premium non-alcoholic craft beer. Sobah are breaking down the stigma of socialising sober. Sobah exists to raise positive awareness and promote First Nations’ culture, art, language, and history.

10. Spinifex Skateboards – Shantara Conway Board

Ltyentye Apurte is home to the first indoor skatepark of its kind to exist in a remote community in the Northern Territory. Nicky Hayes a proud Arrernte man and Traditional Owner for Ltyentye Apurte founded Spinifex Skateboards, a way of giving back to community, building something to support kids and young people who decide to take on something new.

Important notice for Outreach providers: Cyclone Jasper

DATE: 7 December 2023

We are aware that a number of communities in North Queensland may be impacted by Cyclone Jasper in the coming days. To stay up to date with current weather warnings please visit the Bureau of Meteorology website.

Impacts on Outreach service delivery

We understand this severe weather event may affect your Outreach service schedule. If you expect your schedule will be affected, please follow the actions below:

1. Contact host facilities regarding any cancellations or changes to planned visits.
2. Update visit dates in the OMS if they need to be rescheduled.
3. Contact your CheckUP Regional Coordinator if any contract variations are required.

Our thoughts are with all our providers and communities that may be affected. If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact our team.

Additional resources and information

• Visit Queensland Fire and Emergency Services website for advice on how to be prepared for a cyclone.
• Stay up to date with the latest information via the Bureau of Meteorology:
  • Tropical Cyclone 7 Day forecast
  • BoM media releases Media Releases – Bureau of Meteorology Newsroom