In 2006, MGPN signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service (GAMS) to provide support to GAMS as a member practice and work collaboratively improve the health of local Indigenous communities.  The MoU was renewed in 2008 with the aim of ensuring local Indigenous communities have equitable access to high quality primary care services, resulting from effective communication and consultation, service planning, joint project management and promotion.

Initiatives

1. Women's Health

In February 2007, MGPN received funding from the NSW Cancer Institute to establish a nurse led women's health clinic at the Griffith AMS.  The four objectives of the project included:

• Initiate a nurse-led cervical screening clinic based within the Griffith AMS.  This involved the purchase of equipment required, funding of GP (2) and practice nurse (2) FPA training in women's health, and provision of women's health mentor while training and ongoing peer support;
• Establish a local baseline audit of cervical screening rares in Indigenous women aged 20-69;
• Establish routine recall & reminder systems to increase the number of Indigenous women meeting the recommendation of a pap smear every two years; and
• Increase awareness of the importance of biennial cervical screening through a local launch, media promotion, clinic advertising and the development of a promotional brochure.

2. National Suicide Prevention Strategy

In January 2007 MGPN, in partnership with Griffith AMS commenced an initiative funded through the the National Suicide Prevention Strategy to encourage help seeking behaviour from Indigenous youth at risk.  Project objectives were aimed at addressing the need for increased early intervention strategies to reduce self-harming and suicide behaviours.  Consistent with the Living is for Everyone (LIFE) strategic framework, this project implemented a community-focussed approach that empowers local Indigenous community workers across key agencies with the train-the-trainer model.

The project employed three methodologies:

• Community worker training - An adolescent psychologist and youth welfare worker completed the one week train-the-trainer workshop to equip them with the skills required to deliver the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) two day interactive workshop in suicide first aid.   A series of four workshops were delivered to 69 community workers from 17 organisations who work closely with Indigenous youth.
• SPLASH - Suicide Prevention Listen Ask Safety Help.  This startegy employed the use of artistic, cultural and creative processes to engage Indigenous youth in learning about suicide prevention.   Cultural identity and life span (youth) greatly influenced the learning process, style and methods of information delivery which included the development and dissemination of posters, wristbands and badges.
• Indigenous Community Awareness Workshops - Four Indigenous community education workshops were conducted targetting a mens group, womens group, Indigenous parents and elders, and Youth Off The Streets (YOTS).  The workshops were based on a similar experiential delivery model as SPLASH.  The three core topics addressed learning skills to identify youth at risk, learning strategies to feel comfortable when talking and listening to a person at risk, and knowledge and awareness of treatments and services available.

3. Drug and Alcohol Program

In October 2008, Griffith AMS received funding to establish a drug and alcohol case management and advocacy service.  The program employs a drug and alcohol project coordinator and three drug and alcohol case workers.   MGPN, together with the Greater Southern Area Health Servcie (GSAHS) and the Community Drug Action Team (CDAT) participate with GAMS on an Interagency Network Forum to oversee the initiative.  In addition, MGPN provides professional support and montoring to the project andworkers.