News

Strong rise in client numbers at MDAS Swan Hill and Kerang

Tue, 08 Mar 2016 03:58:00

Mallee District Aboriginal Services says a surge in attendance figures is evidence of stronger community engagement with its health services and programs at Swan Hill and Kerang.

There are now more than 650 regular health clients on the MDAS books in the two centres, with both recording strong increases in attendances and ongoing engagement in health programs.
At Swan Hill, MDAS has recorded 8941 attendances at its clinics so far this financial year and for the same period in 2013-14 attendance was 6557 – a rise of 35 percent. 
At Kerang, the growth is even stronger, with 1418 people attending so far this financial year, compared to 504 in 2013-14 to 1418 – up 180 percent.
MDAS Manager of Health Services Ange Imms said expanding the range of services and focussing on culturally-appropriate delivery was behind the continuing growth.
“The increase in our figures at both Kerang and Swan Hill is fantastic – it’s exciting for us that people are voting with their feet in response to the quality of services we are providing,” Ms Imms said.
“There’s strong growth in the number of people coming in for their day-to-day health needs, but what’s more exciting is the rising demand for services relating to proactive health management,” she said.
“For example we have performed 12 health checks at Kerang so far this year and 245 at Swan Hill – compared to the same period two years ago there was eight at Kerang and 165 at Swan Hill.
“Those are exactly the sorts of results we are looking for because they move people towards healthier lives in the long term.”
MDAS Swan Hill Primary Health Care Manager Jody Croft said she believed the rising attendances were due to a number of factors.
“We are focussing closely on what clients tell us works and feels comfortable for them,” Ms Croft said.
“So, most importantly, that means health professionals and practitioners who are conscious and respectful of the sensitivities, circumstances and cultural needs of the client,” she said.
“We are also very conscious of the whole needs of the client, so when a person comes to us, we are not looking only at what brings them into the clinic on that occasion, but also what other issues or problems there might be and what other factors might be contributing.”
Ms Croft said the community was also responding to significant upgrades to the Swan Hill facilities over the past two years and a wider range of services.
“We know that facilities that are modern, professional but most importantly culturally-appropriate for Aboriginal people will bring the community in,” she said.
“The three major risk factors for indigenous health are still obesity, tobacco and alcohol. 
“Our attention is heavily focussed in those areas and designed to provide a wrap-around service that gets people involved with managing their own health and supporting them to make lifestyle changes.”