Healthy Deadly Feet

Treatment and prevention of diabetes-related foot disease for Aboriginal people in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

 

 

Diabetes is a chronic condition characterised by high blood glucose levels. It is associated with a range of complications including Diabetes-related foot disease. Diabetes and diabetes-related foot disease are disproportionately prevalent in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population.

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Ministry of Health, along with several partners, codesigned the Healthy Deadly Feet (HDF) Project which aims to increase the Aboriginal workforce in foot care and podiatry in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health and improve diabetes-related foot disease outcomes for Aboriginal people in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.

Healthy Deadly Feet works with Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs), Aboriginal Health Practitioners (AHPs) and Allied Health Assistants (AHAs) in participating LHDs and SHNs in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. These healthcare workers will receive education and training through HETI and TAFE ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø to become a HDF workforce. This workforce will be qualified and able to provide care for diabetes-related foot disease across three domains:

  • culturally safe care
  • health promotion and education
  • screening and early intervention.

Access to care for Aboriginal people

Healthy Deadly Feet combines workforce, education, and clinical service strategies through partnerships to:

  • improve access, care and outcomes for Aboriginal people with diabetes and diabetes-related foot disease;
  • increase the Aboriginal workforce in foot care and podiatry in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health;
  • improve diabetes-related foot disease outcomes for Aboriginal people in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø;
  • raise awareness in the Aboriginal community of the risk factors for diabetes and diabetes-related foot disease, strategies for prevention, and the treatment options and care facilities available

Aboriginal people living with or at risk of diabetes-related foot disease are encouraged to connect with local Healthy Deadly Feet services where they are available.

A and further is available on the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Agency for Clinical Innovation website.

Career pathways

There are a range of career opportunities for Aboriginal people to work as part of the Healthy Deadly Feet team including as podiatrists, allied health assistants, Aboriginal Health Workers and Aboriginal Health Practitioners.

Follow the links below to get involved:

New programs

Support is available to organisations within ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health to implement the program including as part of the Leading Better Value Care initiative.

For more information please refer to:

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Current as at: Wednesday 23 October 2024
Contact page owner: Aboriginal Workforce