Community Health Programs

Puyu Paki - Don't Smoke, Give it up!

The Tackling Indigenous Smoking (TIS) Program at Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service is called “Puyu Paki – Don’t Smoke, Give it Up!” The program aims to increase capacity in the community to support people that are ready to give up smoking and to prevent people from taking up smoking. The TIS team has many resources available and provides regular information sessions in the PAMS clinics throughout the Western Desert. The team also increases capacity in the community by facilitating regular Quitskills training, which helps organisations support people that are ready to give it up. For further information please contact the TIS team at PAMS on 08 9177 8307 or follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/puyupaki.

Environmental Health Program

Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service receives funding from the Western Australia's Department of Health, Environmental Health Directorate, to provide an environmental health Program to Jigalong, Parnngurr and Punmu.

The Environmental Health Program Focuses on the following elements:

  1. Drinking Water Management
  2. Waste Management:
    1. Waste Water (sewerage) Management
    2. Solid Waste (rubbish) Management
  3. Housing Supply and Maintenance
  4. Power Supply
  5. Animal Management
  6. Food Safety and Supply
  7. Pest and Mosquito Control
  8. Dust Control
  9. Climate Control
  10. Emergency Management

PAMS also provides Environmental Health Education and Promotion within community schools and to other community stakeholders. Where needed, PAMS will also support individual projects, such as the development of a community garden, community shade shelters and general community clean up.

Patient Journey/ Transport

PAMS' Patient Journey/Transport team assists patients from the western desert region and Newman access travel and accommodation to attend medical appointments through the Patient Assisted Transport Scheme (PATS). This can involve arranging vehicle or mail plane transportation from the remote community to either Port Hedland or Newman and on to Perth.

The Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) provides a subsidy towards the cost of travel and accommodation for eligible Pilbara residents who travel long distances to attend medical appointments.

The cost of accessing health care services is significant for families and individuals living in remote areas. Australians living in rural and remote areas tend to have shorter lives, higher levels of disease and injury due, in part to poorer access to and use of health services compared to people living in metropolitan areas.
The availability of assistance schemes such as PATS and travel support through PAMS results in more timely and appropriate diagnosis and treatment for patients, greater access to health care advice and services such as Infant and Maternal Health.

Social Emotional Wellbeing

PAMS is funded by the Commonwealth Government through WAPHA to social emotional Wellbeing to the Martu people of the desert. The program focuses on prevention strategies working with other stakeholders like KJ, Women's shelter, EPIS and Martumilli.

The program aims to keep people engaged and provide easy access to services. The main aim is to prevent psychological and mental health issues. Among other activities, take Martu back to country, assist people with justice system, prevent domestic violence, and youth counselling.

NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (also called the NDIS) is the new way of providing disability support.

The NDIS will provide all Australians under the age of 65 with permanent and significant disability with the reasonable and necessary supports they need to live an ordinary life.

New arrangements between the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS’s) in remote areas of Western Australia will help improve people’s access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service has employed Evidence and Access Coordinators in remote clinics to facilitate the eligibility testing and access procedures of the NDIS. The coordinators will also assist with organising NDIS planning meetings in remote areas.

Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service has also employed Remote Community Connectors will be employed by AMS’s to ensure culturally appropriate connection between the NDIA and community, helping to enhance engagement and communication with some of the nation’s most isolated communities.

The NDIS is an opportunity for all Australians, significantly increasing the funding available for disability services, and putting choice and control over how those services are delivered into the hands of people with disability.