Mr Michael Whitehead1, Mr Scott Peers1
1Ngaanyatjarra Health Service, , Australia
Biography:
Michael Whitehead is a Registered Nurse with over 25-years’ experience working in Men’s Health, Emergency Nursing and Remote Indigenous Health.
Michael is employed with the Ngaanyatjarra Health Service as a Men’s Health Nurse Consultant responsible for men’s health service delivery, remote outreach and project management.
Michael is a contract nursing advisor with the Movember Foundation & the National Chair for Nursing & Allied Health with Healthy Male Australia and is a published author and researcher.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Nursing, a Master’s degree of Clinical Nursing, Graduate Certificate in Clinical Redesign and a Certificate in Sexual and Reproductive Health.
Abstract:
Background
Across almost every health index, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men have the highest mortality rate and worse overall health outcomes compared to any other sub-group in Australia.
The Wati Pirniku Men’s Hub is located in Warburton, a remote (MM7) township in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. The intention of the Wati Pirniku Men’s Hub is to deliver a one-stop-shop of clinical services to males over 15-years, in addition to a range of male psychosocial, FDV and wellbeing programs.
Methods
Extensive community consultation in 2023 by the Ngaanyatjarra Council formulated the Ngaanyatjarra Heath Service Strategic Plan 2022-2027, a key aspect of which, was the community desire for more men’s specific programs to address unmet health and social needs.
The purposeful employment of men’s health nurses and male Yarnangu staff supported the co-design of the Wati Pirniku Men’s Hub Model of Care.
Results
Preliminary data analysis revealed that in the 12-months following the Wati Pirniku Men’s Hub Model of Care commencement, male episodes of health care improved (compared to the previous year) by 133% (342 vs 800) and total engagement by males across all health services in Warburton improved by 3.70%.
Conclusion
The Wati Pirniku Men’s Hub Model of Care is the first of its kind across the Ngaanyatjarra Lands and provides a strong framework for how male gender-responsive healthcare is delivered. The marked increase in episodes of care over the course of only 12 months would speak to future opportunities within the Ngaanyatjarra men’s health space.