In 2020, ACCF was thrilled to partner with True Relationships & Reproductive Health (True) and Queensland Health’s Mobile Women’s Health Services to encourage women to get up to date with their Cervical Screening Test in rural and regional Queensland during October and November. The campaign was called Operation Orange – Healthy Women, Healthy Community.
Women who attend health checks at participating services will be offered a Participation Pack that contain toiletries and snacks, as well as educational materials about reproductive healthcare. 500 Participation Packs have been distributed to rural health services and will be used as an incentive when they come for a Women’s Health Check.
A trial first developed and run by the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service’s Napranum Primary Health Care Centre in 2019, saw participation rates in cervical screening rise from 29% to 60%. This is what has inspired Operation Orange 2020.
Melissa Smail, Central Queensland Mobile Women’s Health Service Clinical Nurse Consultant said; “The Mobile Women’s Health Service has been operating for almost 30 years because access to health services, particularly specialised services such as women’s preventative health, can be challenging in rural and remote areas. Many women still don’t know about our services so we’re hoping to raise awareness in the local community and encourage women to have their Cervical Screening Tests.”
ACCF CEO Joe Tooma said, “We know there are many barriers to getting a Cervical Screening Test including distance or transport access in remote areas. The Mobile Women’s Health Service is an excellent way to improve access to healthcare, and especially because it is run by experienced female clinicians. Many people have put off healthcare during the pandemic, so now is the time to make sure you catch up if you are overdue.”
Mobile Women’s Health Services are provided by female nurses who specialise in women’s preventive health matters and are at no cost to women accessing the service. The Nurses travel to rural and remote areas of Queensland to ensure local women can obtain vital healthcare tests, treatment, advice and referrals to other services or specialists if needed. Bringing the healthcare to the community provides access to those who might otherwise not be able to get the care they need, including a Cervical Screening Test which could be lifesaving.
Clinic Dates 2020:
- 2nd-6th November Doomadgee
- 20th-22nd October Mornington Island
- 19th October Gladstone
- 20th October Mount Morgan
- 21st October Biloela
- 27th October Blackwater
- 28th October Tieri
- 4th November Woorabinda
- 10th November Capella
- 11th November Emerald
- 16th November Bundaberg
- 17th November Agnes Waters
- 19th November Bundaberg
- 23rd November Gladstone
- 24th November Blackwater
- 25th November Biloela
For more information on Operation Orange or Clinics, please contact info@accf.org.au
