We work with an advisory group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders to develop services and resources to improve the care of indigenous people with cancer in Queensland. An important part of this work is the education of indigenous health workers through our Cancer Care Course.

Our Cancer Care Course for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Care Workers is a skills and information course about cancer.

Dates for 2012

The 2012 Cancer Care Course for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers will be held from Tuesday 25th September to Friday 28th September 2012. The course will be held at Cancer Council Queensland 24 Warburton Street North Ward Townsville.

The successful applicants for the 2012 course are:

• Dorothy Buhmann Outreach Health Worker Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Logan City
• Nathan Landers Aboriginal Health Worker Yulu-Burri-Ba Dunwich
• Dallas Robinson Indigenous Health Worker Women’s Health Cherbourg Hospital
• Christopher Keuntje Indigenous Hospital Liaison Officer Indigenous Health Gold Coast
• Alicia Gee Indigenous Health Worker for Chronic Disease Community and Allied Health Maryborough
• Kahla Henke Indigenous Health Trainee Gayndah Community Health
• Kerry Stewart Chronic Disease Health Worker Bidgeerdii Community Health Service Rockhampton
• Lynette Roberts Advanced Health Worker Worrabinda Multi-Purpose Health Service
• Sharon Blucher Aboriginal Health Worker Bidgeerdii Community Health Service Rockhampton
• Charmaine Mansfield Indigenous Health Worker Community Health Bowen
• Franchesca Hodges Advanced Indigenous Mental Health Worker Homeless Health Outreach Team Cairns
• Kandice O’Keefe Health Worker Generalist Normanton Community Health
• Leeann Geas Health Worker Advanced (Indigenous Communities Planning & Transition Officer) Cairns Base Hospital

This annual course aims to provide education and skills training:

• To increase cancer-related knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers by providing information about cancer, cancer treatment and the impact of cancer.
• To improve the care of Indigenous people with cancer in Queensland.
• To develop a state-wide network among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers caring for people with cancer.

The four day scholarship course provides cancer-related training and information to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers who are currently working in health care settings accessed by Indigenous people with cancer, in order to improve their supportive care.

Content includes 'what is cancer', 'prevention and early detection of cancer', 'cancer treatment', 'management of side effects of treatment', 'palliative care', 'psychosocial care for patients and families' and 'support services'.

Mode of presentation

Each course includes clinical visits, lectures and interactive workshops from presenters with experience and qualifications in a range of specialty areas.

Participants

A minimum of 18 applicants are chosen for each program from across the state. Selection is by written application which is reviewed by a panel of health professionals.

Successful applicants are awarded travel expenses, accommodation and meal allowances and study materials.

More information

For more information about our education programs and grants for health professionals, email Anne-MarieDewar@cancerqld.org.au